SCBrewster

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Any reason why homebrew grain mills are like $150 but when you search grain mills on eBay you can get them new for like $27?

cooldood

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Do you have a link for the cheap ones?

SCBrewster

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alien

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Ideally you want something that crushes rather than grinds the malt. Plenty of people use them though.

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SCBrewster

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Oh I see. I would still think you could get the same effect but I could be wrong. I've never done it I'm just looking into getting into all grain

reverendj1

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That's an off-brand Corona mill. I have heard of people having issues with the ones that aren't specifically Corona or Victory, but many people use these mills for grain (including Charlie Papazian, IIRC). I have not used one of these myself, but I have heard they take a little fiddling to get the crush right. This should have all the info you need if you want to use one, http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-ugly-junk-corona-mill-station-90849/.

cram

Recipes 

The hopper capacity and roller mill sizing/design are the big differences. There's a big difference in milling a few ounces (to a pound or so) of flour versus milling enough malt for a big beer. As is the case a lot of times, you get what you pay for--not to mention, having the right tool for the job saves a lot of time and money in the end.

I'd argue that of all the brewers who have a decent mill (and have dropped the coin for one), not one would regret their purchase. My two-roller Monster Mill has been one of my best brew-related purchases and has done more to shave my brewing costs than anything else. Buying 55 lb. sacks of base malt really brings cost/beer down.

reverendj1

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Heck, my LHBS even has one. That, a Monster Mill, and some unknown powered mill (I can't tell what because of the housing). I've never used their Corona mill, because they don't have a hopper for it.

ButcherBoy

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Because you are comparing apples to oranges. The corona style mill you linked is OK, but it was designed to mill grain for bread or cereal (think cream -of-wheat). A brewing mill is much different, look at Crankandstein.net for example. Both work, lots of threads here with details of both types. I'm waiting for a Crankandstein 3D to show up at my front door.

SCBrewster

Recipes 

Yeah I guess I could see how in the end it would come out saving you money if you brew enough and buy in bulk. I don't think I'm anywhere close to the 55lb of grains yet haha