WI_Wino
Well-Known Member
I've recently moved from extract to BIAB and I'm loving the cheaper cost. I started to think about, well what if I got a grain mill and started buying base grains in bulk? That's got to save a ton of money, right?
Err, not so much. I already typically buy 2-3 batches worth of ingredients at once so I get a $.20 discount per pound. With that my numbers are showing I have to use 2000 lbs (!) of 2-row to recoup $100, 3000 lbs for $150 in savings. It starts to go down if I look at other malts (GWM pilsner 400lbs to save $100, 600 lbs to save $150).
Quick examples:
GWM 2-Row
GWM Pilsner
Weyereman Pilsner
That is a lot beer before I see $$$ savings. I could go ubercheap and use a corona style mill but still it's hundreds of pounds of 2-row before I break even. At this point I'm probably going to put my brew money elsewhere. I'm probably not fully appreciating the benefits of freshly grinding my own grains...
Err, not so much. I already typically buy 2-3 batches worth of ingredients at once so I get a $.20 discount per pound. With that my numbers are showing I have to use 2000 lbs (!) of 2-row to recoup $100, 3000 lbs for $150 in savings. It starts to go down if I look at other malts (GWM pilsner 400lbs to save $100, 600 lbs to save $150).
Quick examples:
GWM 2-Row
- $.96 lb
- $.76 lb (10+lbs purchased at once)
- $.71 lb ($35.50 for 50 lb sack)
GWM Pilsner
- $1.22 lb
- $1.02 lb (10+lbs purchased at once)
- $.77 lb ($38.50 for 50 lb sack)
Weyereman Pilsner
- $1.47 lb
- $1.27 lb (10+lbs purchased at once)
- $1.20 lb ($66.10 for 55 lb sack)
That is a lot beer before I see $$$ savings. I could go ubercheap and use a corona style mill but still it's hundreds of pounds of 2-row before I break even. At this point I'm probably going to put my brew money elsewhere. I'm probably not fully appreciating the benefits of freshly grinding my own grains...