My grain mill

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jcojr72

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Well thanks to the wealth of information here I just completed my DIY grain mill from a pasta machine. I picked up the mill from Joann Fabrics, and it just happened to be 50% off, so $12!!! I roughened up the rollers with a drill bit and built a hopper out of plywood (hopper holds 9.5lbs of grain). I cut a home in a plywood work table and bolted the mill to the table. I hang a bucket underneath to catch the grain. This thing works great for $12.

I just milled 9 lbs of grain for a brew tomorrow. I used a drill and it took me about 15 minutes. This seemed like a long time, I am wondering if I roughen the rollers some more I can reduce this time. Anyhow I am a little new to AG brewing and was wondering if someone could critique my crushed grain. It looks good to me, but I would not know otherwise. A picture of the mill and grain is below.

Thanks.



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Grain looks good from what I could make out in pic,hard to tell if the husks were not broken or split in half entact.**** even if it took you 15 min,I love your ambition to have found a way to crush grain at Joanne fabrics..Kick ass!! youre already headed for therapy and a divorce....hehe nice use of basic equip!!
 
I found that due to the small diameter of the rollers, they really need to be quite rough to pull the grain through at any speed. Also, a second pass through the mill will give you a more thorough crush. IMO, don't be afraid to really work the drill bit on the rollers so they are quite marred.

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Yes of all places Joanne fabrics. The conversation with the little old lady worker was quite amusing, something along these lines:

ME-"Excuse me, could you tell me where the pasta/clay rolling machines are?"

OLD LADY-"Yes follow me. Here it is and here are some clay supplies that you will need to get started."

ME-"No, I just need the machine"

OLD LADY-"Oh, you already have everything else"

ME-"Actually I am using this to brew BEER"

OLD LADY- (long pause and looks at me as if I have 3 eyes) "Oh...."

Thanks for the response. I guess my efficiency will tell the story tomorrow.
 
Oh yeah, mine are nowhere near as scratched up as yours wilserbrewer. I will need to hit them again. On average how quickly can you mill your grain?
 
Oh yeah, mine are nowhere near as scratched up as yours wilserbrewer. I will need to hit them again. On average how quickly can you mill your grain?


I can't recall how long it took. I just used it for a batch or two as a fun experiment out of curiosity, and concluded I prefer the corona type mills. Not 15 minutes by any means. I also forund two passes at a wider setting gave a better and faster crush. Don't be afraid to really dig up those rollers.

The rollers need to "gouged" not scratched FWIW.:mug:
 
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