From experience using my apple press for pressing my mashes, is that if more than a gal or so of mash is used, or your case, pomace, it put a lot of strain on the side wall of bucket, and it will not press dry.DetroitDIY wrote:suggested using a series of bags in the press.
What I do, I believe your press pail is 5 gal, is I a fill on paint strainer bag with about 1 - 1.5 gal, twist the bag top down and lock it in place using a releasable plastic tie wrap, add a plate, and do the same for the next 2 bag loads (3 bag loads for the 5 gal, 4 bags for the 7 gal).. then work the press slowly.. after the press top plate has moved down about a third of the way down, release the press, and re-twist the bag tops again, and restart pressing again, pressing until very little liquid is coming out..
No side wall stress doing it this way, plus you extract all the liquid available.. and I have lots of holes in my pails..
Mars