Midwest Supplies Bladder Press User manual

How do you use a bladder press?
The Bladder Press was designed to improve the traditional wooden-basket ratchet-style
press and has quickly become the preferred method for juice extraction. A rubber bladder
expands from the stem outward using water pressure, pressing the fruit against the sides
of the cage. This style of pressing is much more subtle and softer on the fruit, not allowing
bitter tannins from seeds and skins to be extracted from the cracked seeds. This is also
a more efficient method of pressing, cutting the cycle down to less than half the time a
ratchet-style press would take. It’s also much faster improving the load/squeeze/clean
cycle to around 20 minutes from the 1-2 hours required for a traditional press. Water is
recommended to inflate the press rather than air; no more than 30 p.s.i. is needed for most
fruits. The standard models have a stainless cage with painted lid and basin (color may vary).
Connect to your garden hose faucet and squeeze out the juice. Once you try it you’ll never
return to a traditional basket press.
Operation
1. Remove lid from unit.
2. Make sure press is free from debris, but it does not have to be sanitized. You will be using metabisulfite later to take
care of any bacteria.
3. Use the green, fine mesh sleeve on the inside of the basket of the press. This will help keep the fruit in place and
prevent fruit from squeezing through the holes while in use. Try to get the mesh sleeve as close to the stainless steel
basket as possible.
4. Insert your fruit. Grapes and soft fruits will be fine without the need of breaking the outer skin. Hard fruits, like
apples, will need to be ground up before pressing.
5. Replace top and screw the lid tight.
6. Place the plastic bag upside-down on the outside of the unit, covering the lid and basket of the press. This will help
prevent you from wearing the juice during the pressing.
7. Place a bucket or something under the reservoir spout to collect the juice.
8. Attach hose to the brass barb. You might want to use a hose clamp to insure a secure fit. (Picture I)
Midwest Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies
5825 Excelsior Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952-925-9854 • 888-449-2739
www.MidwestSupplies.com

9. There is an air relief screw located on the post where you thread the locking crank that attaches the lid to the press.
You want to use a screwdriver and open the air relief valve to allow the air out. (Picture II)
10. Slowly turn the water on. You need a minimum 30 p.s.i. of home pressure to work the bladder on the press. Using
air is not recommended as it can damage the bladder.
11. When the bladder starts to fill and water starts
to come out of the air relief screw, tighten
down the screw to allow the bladder to fill
with water properly.
12. Be careful to watch the pressure gage on the
press to make sure you don’t have more then
10 p.s.i. in the bladder at one time. Too much
pressure can cause the bladder to rupture.
13. If the pressure builds up too much while filling
the bladder, the pressure relief valve will
open automatically. Adjust your hose pressure
so the pressure relief valve does not keep
opening.
14. Slowly let the bladder fill until the juice stops
flowing out of the reservoir.
15. When you have no more juice coming out,
turn your water off and release the water from
the bladder.
16. Remove all fruit from the press.
17. Wash all components with water, and remove
all debris from unit.
18. Rinse all mesh bags with water.
19. Store until next use. There is no reason to use
any sanitizers on the unit. Pressing is a messy
business. You want to use the press in an area
that can be easily cleaned with water. Do not
wear nice clothes as they will not look nice when you are done. Have fun, take your time, and enjoy the experience.