thadius856

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In the market for a grain mill. Looked at several options, but not sure I've decided yet. Could use help deciding what will fit my needs best.

Just getting into AG. Will be grinding a little of everything, except corn. Usage will be 12-15 gallons per month, plus a little bottled as gifts, averaging around 1.055. I'm handy. so barebones is just fine. Will probably drill-power it. Don't think I need three rollers. Please, no Coronas, pasta presses, coffee grinders, etc. And Barley Crushers are out for me because of some reviews I've seen.

I think that leaves me with:

JSP Malt Miller Model P @ $85
Crankandstein 2D? @ $124
Monster Mills MM2 @ $117
AHB Cereal Killer @ $109

I'd be willing to go up to $150 if there's something measurably better. I don't want to replace the mill for... gulp... 10 years.

Gear drive? Adjustable? Case hardened? No-rust alloys? I'm drowning in options. Help?

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eric19312

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I'll bite.


Loving my Barleycrusher, was in the price range you described. Not sure there is really a lot of difference between the roller mills for the level of usage you are describing. Do plan on getting a drill to run it. BC comes with a handle but that gets old fast. I have 2 other drills, thought one would be up to the task, but no...off to Harbor Freight to get the $40 high torque low speed half inch drill. Works great.

My mill came with a platform that fits a standard bucket (5 ga homer bucket from Home Depot is what I use) and a 7 pound hopper. That works fine. Regular beers take two loads, big beers need 3. No big deal.

There are bigger mills out there with larger rollers (fatter and longer) and bigger hoppers, but I am crushing malt bills up to 17 pounds of grain in less than 5 minutes. Works fine for me.

What I love most about having my own mill is I get to chose the crush and I can condition my malt before milling.

Don't agonize over the choice, just get one and start grinding!

bob352

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I have an older model JSP malt mill, non-adjustable.
Works great. But now that I am conditioning my grain, I wish it was adjustable.

Manual crank works fine for 5 gal batch.
I might want it motorized if I did 10 gal batches.

thadius856

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I do this every time. I have to research the hell out of my purchases. I need to believe that I'm getting the absolutely best deal before I buy something. No idea why.

Just really don't want to re-upgrade again any time soon.

__________________
Chest Freezer Spec Sheets and Layout Drawings (15 models and counting)

Tips: Utilize Your Erlenmeyer's Full Capacity

See profile for brews in primary, on tap, etc.

thadius856

Recipes 

This is what I wanted to hear.

If you had the choice, would you go adjustable on one side, adjustable on both sides, or adjustable on one side with the gearing option?

__________________
Chest Freezer Spec Sheets and Layout Drawings (15 models and counting)

Tips: Utilize Your Erlenmeyer's Full Capacity

See profile for brews in primary, on tap, etc.

bob352

Recipes 

My JSP mill does not have gearing. The non-drive roller is pulled
along by a large o-ring on the drive roller. It works great, never a problem.
So I think I would skip the gearing option.

I would probably want both sides adjustable.
Don't see the appeal of only being able to adjust one side.

BigRedHopHead

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I was in the same boat a couple of months ago. Decided on the Monster Mill MM2 2.0 since the larger diameter rollers made logical sense to me in terms of crush quality. I use a big old 1/2 drill to power it. For $170 (twenty bucks more than your limit of $150 I would take a serious look at it) I thought it was the best value for long term use and consistency. I like having both sides adjustable, and it is a beast. Heavy! Knurls are quite aggressive and would take years to start wearing. I went with the standard alloy since my mill will stay in my basement away from the elements. I really wanted something that would last 10+ years and retain its value if I somehow decide to sell it. The crush quality is fantastic! I am getting high 70's to 80% with intact hulls and gap set to .040

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Beer is the answer....but I can't remember the question.

thadius856

Recipes 

Oh, trust me, I want that one. And I've been eyeing it. For $170, I feel like it should come with a hopper or base or... something!

__________________
Chest Freezer Spec Sheets and Layout Drawings (15 models and counting)

Tips: Utilize Your Erlenmeyer's Full Capacity

See profile for brews in primary, on tap, etc.

Grannyknot

Recipes 

I have the AHB Cereal Killer. So far, its been a good mill. Takes me about 10 minutes to weigh and mill all of my grain. Only (small) complaints are that, the "7lb hopper" is really only about a 6lb hopper, and I can already see some wear on the rollers after running about 100lbs of grain through. I actually though about taking a picture of the rollers and posting it on HBT to see if anyone thought it was a worry.

If you've somehow found a complete MM2 for $117, I would go for it.

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Bottled: House Stout, Greenbriar Session IPA, Arsenal ESB
Kegged:
Secondary:
Fermenter:
On Deck: Death by Hops Clone

uberg33k

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Not to hijack this completely, but I have been mulling over a mill for a while as well. Could someone describe the practical differences in roller diameter and # of rollers to the average homebrewer? I understand that basically the larger the diameter and the more rollers you have, the finer you can get your crush without destroying the husk. But when is 1" rollers enough, and when should you step up to 1.5 or 2" rollers? When is 3 rollers practically better than 2 rollers? The only thing that seems to make sense to me is if you want to wet mill or if you live where it's humid, you want to spring for 303 SS over a regular steel alloy. Other than that, I'm as lost as the OP.