Corona style Grain Mill for BIAB

[Brian66]

I do small batch BIAB (2 1/2 gallons). I've been getting grains from my LHBS and having them double crush the grains. I was recently given a corona style grain mill. What kind of crush can I expect from this type of grain mill compared to what I get from a double crush from my LHBS (whatever they use)? As it is my mash efficiency is not good - probably somewhere around 50-55%.

 

[Gajol]

I don’t do BIAB, but I wanted to share my experience with my malt mill. I've been using the same one for about 10 years now, and it’s still going strong. Over the years, it’s been consistent and reliable, and I’ve never had any major issues with it.

One tip install some washers
Not my picture but they go here

And replace the handle with a bolt to drive it with a power drill

 

[Agent]

I go ham with mine and obliterate the grains. This generally gets me 75-80+% efficiency on <1.055 OG beers as a no sparge.

@Gajol is right about helpful tweaks. Personally, I had to grind the shaft itself as I was shearing bolts off on occasion - usually from corn, rice, or other hard grains. Over the last 13 years, the mill has burned up two cordless drills and two sets of brushes in my current D-handle drill.

Securely mounting it is fairly important. I ended up using the screw slots as I managed to over-tighten and snap off the clamping bolt some years ago.

 

[Brian66]

The mill is already set up for drill use and is mounted on a bucket. To obliterate the grains do you have to run them through multiple times? Or is there something specific to do to get a fine grind?

 

[Agent]

Nice! All the hard work has already been done for you then!
You shouldn't have to double grind. Using @Gajol 's picture as reference, to adjust your setting you would loosen the wing nut (acting as a locknut) pictured just in from the left, and screw the loop handle bolt in for finer and out for coarser crush. Then snug the wing nut and test your grind.

 

[Brian66]

Nice! All the hard work has already been done for you then!
You shouldn't have to double grind. Using @Gajol 's picture as reference, to adjust your setting you would loosen the wing nut (acting as a locknut) pictured just in from the left, and screw the loop handle bolt in for finer and out for coarser crush. Then snug the wing nut and test your grind.

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[Brian66]

Got some 2-Row grains through my homebrew club last week and used the mill for the first time yesterday. I do small batches (2 1/2 gallons) so was milling 5 1/2 lbs of grain. I did the "obliterated" method. My corded drill was starting to smoking about 3/4 of the way through so took a break and then finished. My efficiency jumped up to about 70% Thanks for the tips!

 

[mac_1103]

My corded drill was starting to smoking about 3/4 of the way through so took a break and then finished.

I usually crush the day before I brew and do a couple of hoppers full at a time in between getting other stuff ready for brew day. Keeps the drill from complaining.

 

[crazyjake19]

I've been using a Corona mill since I went to brewing all grain (BIAB). Took a little tweaking to get it how I like it and a few tiny mods, but it works great. I'm regularly at 73-75% mash efficiency with no sparge, just squeezing the bag a bit. For my few decocted beers I'm getting another 10% efficiency on top of that.

If I think of it later, I'll take a few pictures of my half-assed Corona-mill-in-a-bucket setup and the little mods I made to it.