I need to buy a cheese press and I am wondering if anyone has one or has heard
good or bad reviews of the Hamby Home Cheese press. I really can’t afford to spend more than what this one costs(Don’t want to build one either)
Thanks
Diane

I’m not familiar with the Hamby press.  Can you send a web address or a pic so we can check it out?

And welcome to you - glad to have you aboard.  What’s your experience level, and how can we help?

I’m a newby, have done some feta and ricotta as well as a soft curd cheese. Here is the link to the Hamby cheese press http://hambydairysupply.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1444

Thank U
Diane

Before I knew what It was all about,....
I went to my local restaraunt supply and bought 2 stackable cylinders.
I drilled 1/8 “holes in the bottom of one.
one is the mold and one is the piston. or follower.
I cut a piece of perforated stainless steel for a false bottom.
I needed spacers so the cylinders would not get stuck together because they are slightly beveled so I bought a plastic cutting board and cut two plastic circles for spacers to go on top of the cheese during pressing.
I also cut a larger circle to go on top of the cylinders and discovered that I also needed a thick piece of Aluminum to go on top of that.
My friend just happened to have a small grape press and asked me if I had any use for it.
So… here is my cheese press.

I think I mentioned that I don’t want to make one. I do applause you for making one. Trust me I am not that handy. And forget tools, I leave that up to my husband, and actually he is Less handy than I am. So I really want to purchase one and since I am new at all this I want it to be right for the job. I really only plan on small batches.

Dinae J - 18 July 2009 03:03 AM

I think I mentioned that I don’t want to make one. I do applause you for making one. Trust me I am not that handy. And forget tools, I leave that up to my husband, and actually he is Less handy than I am. So I really want to purchase one and since I am new at all this I want it to be right for the job. I really only plan on small batches.

Welcome to the “Club”

I don’t like the spring loaded type press. You can not control the load/pressure you apply. It is recommended to use a Dutch Press that you have control on the load needed to be applied during the pressing stage. I built it by myself. You DO NOT HAVE TO. Simply order it at a carpenter to do it for you. I don’t know where you live, I am pretty sure it will be cheaper (may be not), but for sure much more efficient. By a longer arm/lever and some calculated notches placed on it, you can apply quite heavy loads.
As for the Hamby press, you have to pay for some ingredients that you might not want.

Attached pic of mine and plan+pic I suggest for you (it’s a smaller one, dimensions in mm).

Check out http://www.lehmans.com  Go to the kitchen, home dairy, then to the making cheese page.  They offer a Dutch lever cheese press for under $55.  I tried to put the link in:  http://www.lehmans.com/store/Kitchen___The_Home_Dairy___Making_Cheese___Dutch_Lever_Cheese_Press___20313?Args=

I agree that you want to steer clear of a spring press.  I had one and was totally unsatisfied with it because of the variance in pressure.  The Lehman press is the same as Alex’s press and look like they would be quite good.  My own press just relies on actual weights above the mold.  At least I know exactly how much pressure I have at any time.  However you decide to go, good luck to you and remember - the object is the enjoy it.

I checked out Leehman’s and they don’t have the press, the large mold was $55. I saw that New England Cheese supply has them for $125+shipping, but then I would still have to purchase molds(and this also looks way to big for my small overcrowded kitchen :-(

Thank You
Diane