Cheesemaking - Farmhouse Cheddar

[Roadking]

Your second wheel looks good also. How long do they have to age?

[deb415611]

The cheese looks good. I'm interested to know if there is a significant difference between the two cheeses.

The curds were very different but at this point I don't know if it is (lack of) technique or the milk.  The raw curd almost seemed lighter and the store dryer?  Hard to explain.  Raw milk is supposed to have a better yield but the weight after pressing was almost the same.  32.7 oz for the first (store) and 32.3 for the second (raw).  Right in line with the yield of 1 lb. per gallon though.

Your second wheel looks good also. How long do they have to age?

Farmhouse cheddar only needs to age a month.  Two more weeks on the first one.  One of the reasons I started with it instead of a traditional cheddar. 

[classicrockgriller]

If you have a Sam's in your area, they sell the Large plastic cutting board as a two pack.

Think they are 15W x 20Lx 7/16"D

That may be too shallow.

Try talking your Dad into making a pictorial on making the cheese press. ;D

My mom got a new camera for Christmas.  I'll ask her to take pictures :D

I was thinking the 3/4 inch

Thanks again deb for sharing the info.

[deb415611]

Nice Cheese deb.

Should I make me a cheese press or buy one?

I want get my stuff ordered so I can try this.

My dad is going to make me the second one in this pdf document to start (pg. 19).  It's pretty simple.  We are using two plastic cutting boards  12 x 18  and wooden dowels.  http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/CheeseDownloads_files/LetsMakeCheese.pdf     

I'm getting the cutting boards from here  http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=385&;, if I can't find them locally cheaper

I just decided that we are using 12x12 cutting boards instead of the 12x18. 

[classicrockgriller]

Nice Cheese deb.

Should I make me a cheese press or buy one?

I want get my stuff ordered so I can try this.

My dad is going to make me the second one in this pdf document to start (pg. 19).  It's pretty simple.  We are using two plastic cutting boards  12 x 18  and wooden dowels.  http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/CheeseDownloads_files/LetsMakeCheese.pdf     

I'm getting the cutting boards from here  http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=385&;, if I can't find them locally cheaper

I just decided that we are using 12x12 cutting boards instead of the 12x18. 

Are you making different size presses on the same board or just one press?

[deb415611]

Nice Cheese deb.

Should I make me a cheese press or buy one?

I want get my stuff ordered so I can try this.

My dad is going to make me the second one in this pdf document to start (pg. 19).  It's pretty simple.  We are using two plastic cutting boards  12 x 18  and wooden dowels.  http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/CheeseDownloads_files/LetsMakeCheese.pdf     

I'm getting the cutting boards from here  http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=385&;, if I can't find them locally cheaper

I just decided that we are using 12x12 cutting boards instead of the 12x18. 

Are you making different size presses on the same board or just one press?

just one press but the 12x12 should fit two of the two lb. molds on it.

[deb415611]

Here's a link to a press similar to the one that I'm doing

There are a few posts that show the press during construction

[classicrockgriller]

Thanks again deb.

[Caribou]

Hi Deb!
Your cheesequel  ;) looks fantastic! 
I promised myself that I'm going to attempt a soft cheese this week.
With all the stuff you sent I have no excuse not to try it out  :D
Carolyn

[deb415611]

Here it is, here it is ! ;D ;D ;D ;D 

Almost 2 lbs of CT farmhouse cheddar (28.8 oz)

Not bad,  tastes like cheddar, a very mild cheddar.  Moist, right amount of salt, very slightly chalky.  It's better than the last small farm artisan cheddar that I bought ;D




I also cut the one I made two weeks ago.  I made that one with raw milk and the flavor is better than this one.  I sealed it back up and put it back in the cheese cave to finish aging.


Today my cousin & I made monterey jack, pepper jack & mozzarella :) 

[HawkeyeSmokes]

Way to go Deb!

That cheese looks great!

[Caribou]

Deb!!!
It looks wonderful..great job!
I didn't know you had a cheese cave  :)
Carolyn

[classicrockgriller]

WOW! That looks fantasic!

Sure hope mine turns out that pretty.

"Today my cousin & I made monterey jack, pepper jack & mozzarella"

I love pepper jack! Have to see that one when it is ready.

Yea, what's the "cheese cave"

[deb415611]

Deb!!!
It looks wonderful..great job!
I didn't know you had a cheese cave  :)
Carolyn

I stole my brother's old dorm fridge from my parents house (it must be 25 years old).  It's hooked up with a  controller that keeps it at 50 degrees

[deb415611]

I love pepper jack! Have to see that one when it is ready.

after first press: