12cm Cheese Hoop Endcap & Drain Tray

Overview When cheesemaking, flipping of soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or Cambozola can be a treacherous process. Using traditional open-ended hoops often requires balancing cheese mats and cutting boards, which risks the soft curds "mushrooming" out the bottom or sliding during the turn.

This double-ended endcap system for 25cm hoops simplifies the process. It features an integrated cheese mat for drainage and a dedicated drainage tray, allowing for secure, easy flipping with significantly less risk of accidents.

Features

• Integrated Endcap: A snug-fitting tube that slides over the hoop with a built-in drainage mesh (print two, one for each end).
• Drainage Tray: Custom-fitted to hold the endcap and hoop securely while catching whey.
• Tolerance Test Ring: Includes a small test print to ensure a perfect fit before committing to the full model.

Printing & Fit

1. Test First: Print the included test ring to check the fit against your specific hoop.
2. Adjusting Scale: If the ring is too tight or loose, resize it in your slicer or CAD software. Note the percentage change and apply that same scale to the endcaps and drainage tray.
3. Materials: I recommend PETG for its better moisture resistance and food-contact properties compared to PLA.

Food Safety Note Because 3D prints have inherent layer lines (crevices that can harbor bacteria or mold), it is highly recommended to coat these parts in a food-safe, biocompatible resin. This is especially important for soft cheesemaking, where contamination can easily ruin a batch.