Sunday, May 5, 2013

Cream, Glorious Cream!

A couple readers asked about the cream separator. It is the hand crank cream separator from Ukraine. If you've ever priced a cream separator, you've probably come across this baby. It's the most economical model available. I think it was about $110 delivered. It's a little scary to buy things from across the world, but it arrived just as promised.  It is much sturdier than I expected it to be from the ad. I'm pleased.


I separated just under a gallon of milk and got almost a pint of cream. Washing it really wasn't bad at all.

The video instructions said to pour some skim milk back through at the end to make sure to rinse through all the cream. I poured about a pint back through and should have poured a half gallon- there was so much cream still stuck in the cones when I was cleaning it. Live and learn.

The cream is in the fridge to make butter today. I added MM cultures and rennet to the milk and left it on the counter overnight. It's set up nicely now. I'll drain it in some cheese cloth before church. I'm not sure how the skim milk cheese will taste, but I'm sure it will be fine in ravioli or something.
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9 comments:

  1. SandraMay 5, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    Thanks for the update!
    My girls like skim milk better than whole milk so maybe this would be a good thing for our family!

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    1. KristinMay 5, 2013 at 10:05 AM

      Just make sure the milk is warm- about 100 degrees. I separated it straight from the goats.

      Delete
  2. An At Home DaughterMay 5, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Hi Kristin,
    Did the cream come out real thick? Also does the separator suction to the counter top or bolt down?
    Thanks.

    Kimberly

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    1. KristinMay 6, 2013 at 9:25 AM

      The cream is thick. It is thinner than the cream that rises to the top of the jars after a few days, but thicker than cream I have skimmed off the top of Jersey milk.

      I had hubby screw the unit down to an old wood cutting board, then clamped the board to the counter. Screws were provided, but they stripped fairy easily. Then again, hubby doesn't believe in pilot holes....

      Delete
  3. SandraMay 5, 2013 at 10:21 PM

    If you don't mind another question, how long did it take with the hand crank for a gallon of milk?
    Thanks :)

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    Replies
    1. KristinMay 6, 2013 at 9:22 AM

      It took maybe 4-5 minutes to do a gallon. I didn't really pay attention to the clock, but it wasn't bad at all.

      Delete
    2. SandraMay 6, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Thats not bad! Thanks!

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  4. Lauren S.May 6, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    It helps to know how folks like a product that can be expensive. Thank you so much for the review. We'll have to save up for one, so we can get cream the easy way! We have Nigerian Dwarfs. I can get a gallon of milk in just under a week. Do you know if there's an age limit, so to speak, on how old the milk is to use it? Could you post the link or links that told you how to put the separator together? Also, just wondering, do you make your own ravioli? I hope you don't mind my asking all these questions. Thanks! Lauren :)

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    1. KristinMay 6, 2013 at 1:15 PM

      I love teh questions!

      I don't think it would be a problem to save up the milk, so long as it wasn't soured. I'm sure you could separate less than a gallon although you wouldn't get as much cream.

      ND's are so cute and maybe you would get enough cream from 1/2 gal with all that butterfat! Trixie is a mini-mancha- half Nigerian Dwarf/half Lamancha. So are Onyx's babies.

      Here is the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxFFNoX1Izc

      Yes, I make my own ravioli. My mom gave me her pasta maker and when I get the urge, I make and freeze our own pasta. I haven't had much luck drying it yet. I'd love tips on that.

      I will have to do a post on making pasta. :)

      Delete

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