I am just starting all-grain brewing. What should I buy for a grain mill and a scale? We don't have any local homebrew stores so I will need to buy grains in bulk and then weigh and crush them when I am ready to brew.
Thanks,
Fred
Thanks,
Fred
+1 on getting a Monster Mill... I have the MM2-2.0 with the hardened steel rollers, base, hopper, and hopper extension (39# capacity total)...
For the scale, look at the UltraSHIP 35 and 55 models (I have the 55)... The number is the pound limit for the scale. I simply use a bucket on top of the scale, tare the weight of the bucket, and then start pouring/scooping/dumping grain into the bucket. Depending on the grain bill, I use either a 5 gallon Lowe's bucket, or an ale pail to weigh with.
My Monster Mill is a BEAST when it comes to crushing grain. The 2" diameter rollers has it going through the grain much easier, and makes a lovely noise. I power mine with an 18v DeWalt cordless [hammer] drill without issue. Just be sure you have a drill with a 1/2" chuck for that mill (no wimpy 3/8" shaft there)... My only 'issue' with the Monster Mill was the set screws provided to hold the gap setting. BUT, Fred sent me hex head screws to use instead. Those hold without any issue at all. Simply put, I couldn't get the thumb screws in tight enough to hold the gap setting. I just use a wrench on the hex screws and they don't budge. :rockin:
Oh, and customer service/support from Monster is top shelf, IMO/IME...
I use a Barley Crusher and I'm happy with it. For scales I use an 11 lb for grains and a 100g for hops/minerals. Both found on amazon.com, neither very expensive.
I'm looking at the MM2-2.0 with the hardened steel rollers, base, hopper, and hopper extension...if you don't mind me asking, where and how much did you pay for it? Looks like a beast, and I tend to like the overkill!
I also have the Barley Crusher and could not be happier. I think that any type of mill with two (or more) rollers would serve you well. I also use an 11 pound scale. I take a couple of identical plastic pitchers which I can zero out on the scale and put my grains in the pitchers. I use three pitchers to weigh out all the grains, and then pour them into the mill hopper as I crush the grains. The pitchers make it easier to pour grain into the BC hopper. This setup works well. Mark
The stainless rollers are softer than the hardened rollers, so the stainless actually won't last as long. Granted, we're talking the difference between lasting several thousand pounds, or tens of thousands of pounds of grain
This is not true according to fred/mm. Even his website says that the stainless he uses is the same hardness as his 1144 steel and will wear the same. I cant speak to what grade stainless anyone else uses.
THose are the standard hardness rollers, not the HARDENED rollers available on the 2" diameter models. I also got the information directly from Fred when I was deciding on which mill to get. The life expectancy of the stainless rollers is LESS than those of the hardened steel rollers.
Went direct to Monster for it all. Same prices as showing on their site. It's a bit of a beast, but it makes a C&S look small in comparison. It absolutely DWARFS a Barley Crusher too. Get Fred to send you hex head set screws with it and I think you'll be beyond happy with it.
Oh, and it's more than a beast, it's a MONSTER!! :rockin:
For reference, I was happy with the BC I had, except for it's tiny (7#) hopper. With my MM2-2.0 I have yet to need to refill the hopper for ANY of my batches. Maybe when I have a larger mash tun, and am doing a BIG 10 gallon brew, I'll fill it more than once. But I suspect that's a ways off... I do have to get more than one container to receive the crushed grains when I'm brewing something bigger though. But, I have a few 6+ gallon buckets that I can use there.
If you don't have the budget to get a Monster Mill, get what you can. Personally, I wish I had gotten one instead of the BC. IMO, they're worlds apart in quality, customer support, and how they're designed. The guys from Monster actually DO reply to emails and support/help requests pretty damned fast. Unlike what you often hear about BC.
I am just starting all-grain brewing. What should I buy for a grain mill and a scale? We don't have any local homebrew stores so I will need to buy grains in bulk and then weigh and crush them when I am ready to brew.
Thanks,
Fred
This is not true according to fred/mm. Even his website says that the stainless he uses is the same hardness as his 1144 steel and will wear the same. I cant speak to what grade stainless anyone else uses.
kincade, I made the purchase as a one time deal. So I went with the hardened rollers since I suspect I'll be using more and more grain as time progresses. I'd rather have something designed for much heavier use than I'll give it than need to purchase a new mill in X years. For me, the few dollar upgrade to the hardened rollers makes much more sense than going to the stainless rollers. Actually, the hardened rollers are CHEAPER than the stainless rollers. So unless you want more 'bling' in the mill to 'impress your friends' the stainless is a more expensive 'nice to have' item.
Also "...303 Stainless Steel. It will wear just about the same as our 1144 steel..." doesn't mean the stainless will wear as well. I'll have to dig up the emails but I'm pretty sure that 303 stainless is softer than the 1144 steel (even non-hardened).
Get whatever option you want on the rollers, but don't complain after X pounds have gone through the stainless ones about the knurling. Especially when mine will still look brand new in comparison.
Oh, and I do have long term plans for brewing far higher volumes than we can as home brewers. While I'll probably get a larger (probable 3 roller) mill eventually in that instance, it's very comforting to know that my current mill will be up to the task for brewing 10+ barrel batches. :rockin:
Hardened shouldn't be necessary. We get 15K through the standard steel before wear is the problem. I calc about 47 years of life at the rate you're brewing assuming 21 lbs/batch, and 15 a year. the heat treated is for shops, and micro breweries.
I was talking about the regular 1144 steel rollers, not the relatively expensive hardened steel upgrade. For the standard mills he offers this:
"As an upgrade to 1144 steel we offer 303 Stainless Steel. It will wear just about the same as our 1144 steel, but will not rust. Recommended for those that live in salty or moist environments, and those that want to wet mill."
On the 2" roller models he offers these options:
"There are three roller material options available for the larger 2" mills. They come standard with 1144 alloy steel, which offers fantastic wear for home brewers. Plain steel mills kept indoors, and used regularly won't have rust issues. Non climate controlled areas, or minimal usage could see some corrosion come up that is easily removed with a wire brush. As an upgrade to 1144 steel we offer 303 Stainless Steel. It will wear just about the same as our 1144 steel, but will not rust. The last option is for our 1144 steel rollers that have been heat treated/hardened. The regular 1144 alloy rollers are heat treated to approximately 51-54 Rockwell C hardness. This upgrade is what you want for any mill used in a commercial environment. Brew shops, breweries, and only extremely prolific home brewers with tons of drinking buddies need to look at this option."
Fred actually talked me out of the hardened rollers unless "i wanted to impress my friends.". He said at my current schedule it would take 15-20 years to wear the knurl down on the stainless rollers. All depends on the usage.
fsfrancis said:I don't see that anyone is wrong in what they've posted. Stainless, and non-hardened 1144 should last about the same. Hardened 1144 lasts 5+ times longer than either. Don't have a full on comparison yet because no one has worn out a set yet. Last report was 60K lbs, and going strong, and that was more than a year ago. Most home brewers will never get to 15K before they either quit brewing, or go pro, so heat treated for most folks is not necessary. I know very few regular home brewer/non commercial folks that would need heat treated rollers..
~~fred francis
Monster Brewing Hardware
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