Barley Crusher vs. JSP Maltmill

McCall St. Brewer · 12-19-2007, 02:14 AM

Is there any consensus on which is better?

Is it significant that the spacing on the Barley Crusher is set at .039 and the Maltmill is .045?

jfliv · 12-19-2007, 02:29 AM

I have the JSP adjustable version, so you could achieve any spacing... I made my own hopper and base.

I've made 4 batches from grains crushed in the mill. I am very satisfied with the results.

Ultimately, the recommended settings gave a crush that looked right and my mash efficiency seems pretty good. (I don't have efficiency data in front of me, but I remember being content with the results).

One drawback is that the shaft was not a size that I could easily find a pully for to motorize the mill. That said, I hardly need to. It was pretty easy to crank out the grain bill for a 5 gal. batch... except an IPA batch which had a pretty extensive grain bill (closer to 20 lbs.) That was a workout....

Anyway, I can say that I'm thrilled with the JSP... The other may be nice as well, but I've not tried it.

**Lil' Sparky** · 12-19-2007, 02:34 AM

You're about to get 100 people tell you how great the barley crusher is. I've got one that I won't be able to use until after Christmas, and already I want to tell you it's awesome.

I think the truth is, any of the good 2- or 3-roller mills will give you a great crush and last for years. You just don't ever hear about someone bashing their mill.

Blender · 12-19-2007, 02:43 AM

I bet they are both about the same when it comes to crushing. I would get one that is adjustable though and the Barley Crusher arrives ready to go but I don't know about the JSP.

jdoiv · 12-19-2007, 02:54 AM

If your handy and have space in your brewery, you should take a look at my thread on the MM-3 here.

Though I think any of the mills out today will do the job.

Kaiser · 12-19-2007, 03:16 AM

I have a JSP Maltmill and have the feeling that the rollers starting to wear out. After milling about 200 lb of grain it just doesn't grip as well anymore as it used to.

It has a lifetime warranty and I wonder if I can claim that under the warranty if it gets worse.

Kai

**bradsul** · 12-19-2007, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

I have a JSP Maltmill and have the feeling that the rollers starting to wear out. After milling about 200 lb of grain it just doesn't grip as well anymore as it used to...

Sounds like it's made of pretty soft steel. I have high hopes for my monster mill (don't actually have it yet).

**e lo** · 12-19-2007, 12:17 PM

My LHBS has an adjustable JSP Maltmill -- the model AA, I believe. It seems to be pretty badly worn out, and the crush setting drifts as I proceed through a 10 - 12 lb grain bill. Furthermore, the particleboard side pieces are broken and this makes it difficult to effectively tighten down the thumbscrews, which is necessary to keep the rollers in place after adjusting. It's been at the shop for a couple of years, according to the manager. Now, I have no idea how often this is used, and it's available for any Joe Six-pack to come in off the street and use, so it has probably had a rougher life than most home mills. But my experience with it did lead me to get a Barley Crusher instead (or, rather ask Santa for one).

Just my $0.02, and if taken care of properly, the Maltmill may be a great product; I just can't say for sure.

Kaiser · 12-19-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

Sounds like it's made of pretty soft steel. I have high hopes for my monster mill (don't actually have it yet).

I may have to write an e-mail to Jack Schidling and ask his opinion on this. I'm kinda bummed since I thought I did some research and didn't just buy the first mill I found.

Kai

Chad · 12-19-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser

I may have to write an e-mail to Jack Schidling and ask his opinion on this. I'm kinda bummed since I thought I did some research and didn't just buy the first mill I found.

Kai

I'll be eager to hear what you find out. I, too, purchased a JSP Malt Mill after quite a bit of research.

Chad