Grain Mill - Is corona mill same as meat grinder?

aeonderdonk · 06-19-2009, 02:58 PM

Been looking online for a corona mill and a bunch of people on my local craigslist are selling incredibly similar looking meat grinders.

Does the corona grill have some different bit/attachment? Anyone use a retrofitted meat grinder?

aeonderdonk · 06-19-2009, 03:05 PM

Is the corona just the best one or will any grain mill do such as this one: HAND CRANK TABLE CORN GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR GRINDER MILL - eBay (item 260400540450 end time Jun-25-09 15:06:22 PDT)

nostalgia · 06-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Meat grinders work on a different principle from grain mills. They wouldn't be suitable for crushing grain.

Yes, the mill you linked to on Ebay looks fine.

-Joe

wilserbrewer · 06-19-2009, 03:27 PM

discount tommy is waaay cheaper...I think most come from a crude third world factory anyway?

NEW Premium Cast Iron Corn Grinder Wheat Grain Nut Mill - eBay (item 220435684030 end time Jun-25-09 16:00:24 PDT)

You don't want a meat grinder IMO.

aeonderdonk · 06-19-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilserbrewer

discount tommy is waaay cheaper...I think most come from a crude third world factory anyway?

NEW Premium Cast Iron Corn Grinder Wheat Grain Nut Mill - eBay (item 220435684030 end time Jun-25-09 16:00:24 PDT)

You don't want a meat grinder IMO.

Is there a difference in quality or durability between this mill and a corona? It seems to be the most popular hand crank mill on HBT.

**bradsul** · 06-19-2009, 03:46 PM

'Corona' is mostly used a catch-all name (like kleenex). 'Corona-style' would be more appropriate. My mill for example is a corona-style made by Porkert.

aeonderdonk · 06-19-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

'Corona' is mostly used a catch-all name (like kleenex). 'Corona-style' would be more appropriate. My mill for example is a corona-style made by Porkert.

Ahhhh. So it's likely that quality would be pretty standard for any brand of mill. Any particularly bad one?

wilserbrewer · 06-19-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeonderdonk

Is there a difference in quality or durability between this mill and a corona?

Good question, I'm not sure if the "authentic" Corona or Porkert mills are higher quality, or are still even being manufactured. Most of what is currently available i would guess is made in China. The manufacturing is crude, but is usually tolerable. As far as durability, these things are cast iron and are almost indestructible.

If you were to find a "higher" quality corona style mill. The price might likely approach a good portion of a roller mill. Spending "real" money for these things doesn't make much sense to me. YMMV

IMO they are the best approach for milling on a budget, and do a fine job if you have the mechanical aptitude to adjust for a good crush. If this doesn't interest you, you should look at a roller mill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeonderdonk

Ahhhh. So it's likely that quality would be pretty standard for any brand of mill. Any particularly bad one?

Quality is not really a term that is suitable for these mills, IME it's almost nonexistent...They are crude, heavy, and strong...that being said, IMO they are all "bad", but can be adjusted to do a "good" job.

aeonderdonk · 06-19-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Quality is not really a term that is suitable for these mills, IME it's almost nonexistent...They are crude, heavy, and strong...that being said, IMO they are all "bad", but can be adjusted to do a "good" job.

I am just starting out with AG and want to get some bulk grains. Not ready to make the $100+ investment for a roller mill so will likely start out with a hand crank corona style.

**Revvy** · 06-19-2009, 04:42 PM

If no one's explained it clear enough, this is a meat grinder...

Note the front plate, there are holes in it which the auger will drive the meat through, producing ground meat which you know what that looks like.

Here is the front of a corona style grain MILL..

Under that cover, rather than a die with holes to press meat through, there is actually a grinding plate.

It matches grooves cut in the front mouth of the mill body....together those are what crushes the grain.....

Now that doesn't mean someone with great DIY skills couldn't perhaps modify a meat grinder by somehow putting a grinding plate on in place of the die.....the auger is exactly the same.

In fact I found at a garage sale for 5 bucks a "combo mill" which looks to be able to grind meat and grain somewhat....

That has this strange spider leg doohicky in front of the meet die, that sort of blocks partially stuff coming through the die, and in effect the auger and die will shred the grain...but not too well....

I haven't tried with a full batch, all I did was take a few ounces of grain, ran it through the mill, then mashed it in a mason jar to see if I got conversion....iirc, it wasn't that great...I was going to experiment some more, but I got a real corona shortly after...