SciencePig

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Hey all I should have checked the boards first but I fell victim to MWS terrible grain mill. I have about 16lbs total, I ordered the BEAVER chocolate Stout and well some grains are crushed others are not. My LHBS might still be on vacation but in any case tomorrow is brew day, no way around that. I have read rolling pin I have read car, i have read books etc...

The issue I guess I have, since this is my first official all grain batch, I have rolled oats and all my other grains in their terrible bag of uncrushed grains. I was thinking of taking their massive bag, splitting in two, then placing two garbage bags wrapped with a towel and running over them in my garage. Has anyone done this or does anyone live in the Wichita Falls, TX area with a grain mill that wouldn't mind helping me out by running them through again?

Attached should be a picture or two of the grains.

kh54s10

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That doesn't look like a bad crush. It looks like it's not crushed!

Not sure on how to crush them, I would try a rolling pin or a wine bottle first.

Maybe you could find a Corona style mill locally. Bed Bath & Beyond?

SciencePig

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That is what I thought too, uncrushed all together. Some are crushed and some aren't. I am pretty disappointed with MWS and wont order from them for kits again. However, I will look in to a corona style mill; I have not heard of that.

Stauffbier

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I've done the rolling pin thing, and it's labor intensive. It works, though. I've also done the "pulse in a blender/food processor" thing. It's not ideal, but it also works if you don't turn the grains in to flour. The Corona comment is a good idea. Some Walmarts in the country stock them (some don't)... Good luck!

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Transamguy77

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+1000 to the Corona Mill, I have one and love it, trying to crush 16 lbs of grain is going to be way time consuming. I wish I could help you but I'm a tad bit too far Good luck!

SciencePig

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Thanks for the replies all. I think Corona mill would be best but oddly enough I don't think I will find a a corona style mill in my neck of the woods. I find it odd but I think I might be out of luck, I am considering the car option though.

madchemist83

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Trick to pulse blender thing is not to put too much grain .. Only about a cup (depending on a blender) so the weight of the grain doesn't keep bottom part steady and therefore finely ground. It's annoying and takes long time but it works somewhat

SciencePig

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Well I tried the car thing. I will be honest I didn't think it would work but it did! I put my grains in a towel and got in my car. I was nervous because I didn't want to ruin or waste $30 worth of grain. So I got in my car and found myself surprised that my LHBS owner had not gone on their planned camping trip and he crushed them for FREEEEEE! yay! Big shout to Ken at the Wichita Homebrew Supply! As always Ken was funny, glad to help and we talked about my favorite thing, homebrewing.

Here are the results of a proper crushing. FYI I am going to by a corona mill online for $20 in case this happens again. Midwest was some what helpful regarding my grains issue but not really worth talking about because they said there must be a problem with our mill that caused the crushing of grains to be less than adequate. HMMM ya think?

BrewerBear

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I would consider buying a mill from lhbs. They crushed grains for you for free that you bought from someone else(I know that kit is not one you can get just anywhere)that says something about the customer service there.

Rev2010

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It seems almost every AG brewer soon after starting AG buys a grain mill I know I did! And now there are no more worries about crushed grain and efficiency.


Rev.