Any tricks for adjusting a Corona Mill?

[MX1]

I know that evey mill is different, but I just wanted to know if any of the Corona users had a tip, trick, or hint for a simple set up fo getting a good crush.

I can not find my gap spacers for my spark plugs, so is there any thing else that I could use?

Thanks
Tim

 

[FlyGuy]

You can't really adjust to a particular gap on these mills. Your best bet is simply to undertake some trial and error experimentation. Crush a little grain, then check the grind. Keep adjusting it finer and finer until you get the crush you want. Once there, tighten the nut to fix the adjustment screw, and don't fiddle with it again.

If you can get it dialed in, they actually work pretty well, particularly if you use a stainless steel braid for lautering (the Coronas tear up the husks pretty bad, but that doesn't seem to matter much with a braid). I keep saying I am going to replace mine some day, but I am consistently getting 80% efficiency, so it is hard to justify dropping $150 on a roller mill.

 

[MX1]

ok, I know that I want the husk left whole as much as I can, and I donot want the kerrnel to be ground in to flour, but does it matter how small the kernnels get? Some of them are pretty small after I got the mill set up so that very few made it through with out being de-husked.

here is a pic of the crush.

Tim

 

[FlyGuy]

Personally, I would try crushing a little finer than that. But it depends on your system, too. It just takes a bit of time -- each batch crush a little bit finer until you hit the limits of your lautering system. As soon as you hit a stuck sparge, then you know you are too fine and you can back off.

This is the big downside to Corona-style mills in that they are fiddly to adjust. But once you find that crush that is just right, remember what it looks like and set the mill and you are golden.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I adjust the crush, turn the handle a few times, stop, look at the crushed grains...if they're not good enough they go back into the hopper and I tighten the screw a little bit more...repeat until "right"...

 

[JoePolvino]

Have you tried double crushing? I think you'd get a more thorough crush without making flour.

 

[fratermus]

I know that evey mill is different, but I just wanted to know if any of the Corona users had a tip, trick, or hint for a simple set up fo getting a good crush.

My nascent page of tips is here.

Chime in on stuff I missed.