Apparatus for making large sized blocks of cheese

Apparatus for manufacturing a block of cheese from curd in particulate form, comprising, in combination, an open ended container for holding the curd and having a peripheral configuration substantially identical to the desired block shape of the cheese to be manufactured, blade means including at least one V-shaped blade adapted to extend into said container from one end thereof for direct contact with curd therein, said blade including side walls connected along one corresponding edge of each wall and diverging from the connected edges to define said V-shaped blade, said side walls being perforated generally uniformly over substantially their entire surfaces and being spaced apart at the spaced edges a maximum distance of 2 inches, means for inserting and removing said blade means from within said container, said blade means extending substantially throughout a vertical cross section of said container when inserted therein, whereby insertion of said blade means facilitates drainage of whey from the curd, and subsequent removal of said blade means permits knitting together of the curd to provide a cheese block of uniform texture.