Grain Mill recommendations

If this thread plays out like others in the past folks will recommend the grain mills that they own.

Permit me to be the first to do so: The Barley Crusher Grain and Malt Mill.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/b...MIjc_N5Zni2QIVQUsNCh3ebAI4EAQYASABEgLrs_D_BwE

This mill comes with a factory gap setting of 0.039 inches which is what I choose to use. It is very easy to reset this gap if you decide to do so. I periodically check it with a feeler gauge and I have made some very minor adjustments of my mill.

I really haven't performed any maintenance others than the aforementioned minor adjustments to the gap settings. I do 'clean' it after each use by brushing it out with a cheap paint brush.

This mill has worked well for me (so far) with no need to fix anything.

Best of luck in your mill selection!

Cheers!

 

For the OP, if you search this Forum for "Grain Mill" you'll find what most people use/recommend. That said, for me it's a 2-roller MM, gap of 0.034 and make it *****-n-span after each use.

Two major advantages you might not be realizing: 1) Cost, if buying in bulk the Mill pays for itself quickly. 2) Having base malts in bulk and a smattering of specialty malts lets you brew when the mood strikes (as opposed to waiting for a delivery). Oh yeah, buy a feeler gauge . . .

 

Monster MM3

Big fan of the three roller mills

 

I think the two biggest differences between mills is longevity and sturdiness of the mill and how many rollers you prefer. I use a cereal killer mill cause it was a nice price of entry for starting to mill at home and buy bulk. It has worked for me great so far but can not responsibly say that it is a great mill as it has not been time tested. When I have milled at least a hundred sacks through it than I think it would be okay for me to say how reliable it is.
If you are willing to take the risk of using a cereal killer as an entry level mill than I think you will be happy with it, choice is yours.

 

This. MM3 is awesome!

 

I personally would expect a difference between a $100 mill vs. a $250 mill.

Are there features that are a must for you?

Cheers!

 

I use the LHBS mill. So I don't have preference. "Free" I guess.

I can tell you though that I have used a few different mills, because the store mill wears out a lot faster than it would at home.

An issue with some of these mills is that if you plan to attach a drill, try to get one that has a notched shaft. The drill chuck can slip on a round shaft, and it will make it almost impossible to get it tight again after the shaft has been worn away. At least I have seen that problem a few times.

Cheers.

 

I have this one - https://labelpeelers.com/equipment/mills/roller-grain-mill-with-hopper/

It works pretty well. My only complaint is that it is difficult to adjust properly as it has a tendency to make the gap smaller when the locking screws are tightened.

 

I have a Monster Mill with 2 rollers. MM's are built like tanks. Gapped at 0.035. I recommend buying the hopper; it was easy enough to make a base. I periodically clean it. Overall, I'd recommend one like it. Cheers!

 

Best of luck with your research here.

Cheers!

 

I have a Barley Crusher mill and I like it just fine. I bought it because I was getting an inconsistent coarse crush from my LHBS. I brew BIAB so a finer crush was important to me and consistency was even more important to reliably reproduce the same beer. My gap is at .024 but once again I BIAB so the concept of a stuck sparge is foreign to me.
This mill is certainly entry level but I found it to be easy to set the gap with feeler gauges and a drill drives it just fine. I have probably put a little less than 500lbs of grain through it so I can’t speak to the long term durability.

 

I have a corona or Victoria mill. the old kind that most folks do not like, but it works great for me and at one point, the cheapest by far of all the mills. Even cheaper cause my son bought it for me.

 

I think I have a photo of Papazian cranking a corn mill maybe circa 1977. Black and white.
If it works and it is reliable I say keep it simple. Got me thinking it is an acceptable option. Why not?
Cheers.

 

Yeah, I have a friend that uses a Corona Mill. I personally think he's nuts, but he enjoys using it. Cheers!

 

I have found that one needs to adjust the gap as far as marris otter, best ale, rahr, Simpsons roasted barly and other grains are concerned. I learmed they all grind different and adjust as I go along. Most would hate it, but as I've said, lots of folks enjoying my beers so it can't be all bad.

 

I have the same one and have been happy with it. But the rubber band that runs the second crusher came off/broke pretty quick (others have reported the same), now the crank still turns the first one and grinds the grain against the second so it works but just food for thought.

 

Your mill is working just fine. The rubber band is designed to 'dissolve'. The weight of the grain will permit both of the rollers to rotate as you crush the grain.

My rubber band 'went away' some time ago. The mill crushes just as well as it did before.

Cheers!