I have a squeezo-o, just like your hand crank one. I have not ever cooked my tomatoes before I press. I wash them good, if they wont fit thru the hole I will cut them in half. Put thru machine, which seperates the juice from the seeds, core, etc. I also cook a few hot peppers and celery and put thru with the tomatoes. Bring to boil and boil 10 mins, scraping off scum, if any. Put in hot jars with 1 tsp pickling salt, 1 tsp orgeno and 1 clove of garlic. This is excellent to drink or to cook down with a can of paste for spaghetti sauce.