Crankandstein mill options

johnnyc · 09-22-2009, 01:33 PM

So I've just got in on my first bulk buy and now I'm looking for a mill. I'm pretty set on a Crankandstein mill but I'm not sure which model. Crankandstein Homebrewing Mills I've heard you get higher efficiency and a better sparge using a 3 roller but I can't swing the 3D one. Does anyone have experience in the 2D vs the 3E models? Looks like the 2D is the 2 roller that's easiest to adjust but the 3E has 3 rollers but may be more complicated to adjust the gap. Does anyone know if the difficulty adjusting is worth having the 3rd roller?

**pjj2ba** · 09-22-2009, 01:49 PM

I have the 3 roller. The gap is easy to set. The gap of first pair of rollers is fixed, it is just the 3rd roller that adjusts. I really like to finely crush my grain so I still usually double crush. I always condition my malt (mix in a little water) and this helps to keep the husks in large pieces, it also though swells the grain a little so with my motorized set up I have to ahve the gap a little wider, or my belt drive slips.

**Bobby_M** · 09-22-2009, 01:54 PM

You certainly don't need a 3 roller. Get the adjustable two roller. I'd stay away from crankandstein though. The machining was definitely sub par on mine.

johnnyc · 09-22-2009, 03:00 PM

I've heard good and bad on all mills. Luckily if I have issues they are produced locally, in fact if I do go with a C&S I can pick it up myself. If people have had good results with a 2 roller that saves me some change for building a hopper.

**Clayton** · 09-22-2009, 03:02 PM

I just got this with a 1/2" drive and i am happy with it.
http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/mm-2.html

i think they are local too mine came from marietta Ga i think but dont remeber

winstonofbeer · 09-22-2009, 03:39 PM

By looking at monster and crankenstien,
I figure its not much more to go from 2 roller to 3. And if you are going to spend the $$$ might as well get the best.

Question i have is,
I am sure there is more than 2 mill companys out there, What mill would be best to buy.
If i am going to send $200. on a mill i am willing to pay 300 if i know this will last a lifetime...Parts replaceable etc..... But i know there is times, Just cause it cost quite a pretty penny dont mean it will hold up any longer than the $75.00 model.

**Clayton** · 09-22-2009, 04:32 PM

i think the 3 roller deal is a just for megalomaniacs
something I offton suffer from.
but in the case of a mill two, six inch rollers will do the job very well three just make more flour and take more power to drive.
the MM is a better deal imho it is 6 inch and has better adjustments than the 5 inch crankinstein

johnnyc · 09-22-2009, 09:05 PM

The C&S have a lifetime warranty, they'll replace the rollers when they wear down or if anything else comes up. Maybe the 3 roller is a little overkill...but isn't that part of what we do

Boerderij_Kabouter · 09-22-2009, 09:12 PM

The idea of the 3 roller is to pre-crush the grain. This allows the husk to be removed from the grain without damaging it. The theory is to leave larger and more husk in tact for a better filter bed. It will not speed throughput (at least in theory) or have any ground breaking affect on your brewing. Just a better crush if you are willing to pay for it.

johnnyc · 09-22-2009, 09:16 PM

Well if that's the thought behind it then its not necessary for me, I'm going BIAB so I won't need a filter bed. Hopefully I can get this soon, I'm already itching to do my first BIAB coming from extract.