Crush 3 pounds of grains with wine bottle?

[Cornfed]

Greetings. I finally received ingredients for the PM version of EdWort's Haus Pale Ale. This includes 1 lb of Crystal malt and 2 lbs of Vienna. Turns out the grains are not pre-crushed (I can't remember what I specified when I made the order, or if that was an option).

I did some googling, and it sounds like a grain mill is the preferred method to crush grains. Since I don't have one of those, can I get away with using a wine bottle or rolling pin (as mentioned, for instance, here - https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/All-grain_brewing)?

If so, any tips? I guess I just put the grains in a big plastic bag and roll away? I think I saw some pics of how the finished grains should look on the Wiki, too, but any pics or advice would be appreciated...

Thanks,
Dave

 

[c.n.budz]

You could crush them with a wine bottle or rolling pin, but it'll take forever and it will be tough to get a good consistent crush. If you have a HBS near you you could try bringing them there and offering them a few bucks to use their mill. Another option is to list where you are located if there is someone on here close to you, they might be kind enough to help you out.

 

[wilserbrewer]

While I agree w/ c.n.budz's post above, you will save work and probably get a better crush if you seek out a mill somewhere. However, if that is not practical or doesn't meet your schedule, by all means crush em any way you can and brew. Basicly you are trying to break all the grains in little pieces so the mash water can reach the inner part of the grain.

Rolling pin...wine bottle whatever. The zip lock bag really just keeps you from making a mess. This time of year you could roll em smash em outside and save a little clean up.

Never tried it but have heard of people loading the grain in a blender a bit at a time and buzzing em that way. Not to make flour, just smallish pieces.

Just my 2 centavos...you can make good beer by improvising!

 

[c.n.budz]

you will save work and probably get a better crush if you seek out a mill somewhere.

On that note, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=69260

 

[Cornfed]

Thanks! I'll check out these options and see what I can make work between now and brew day....

 

[malkore]

if you do go the rolling pin method, a half pound of grain at a time, in a 1gallon ziplock bag...works well enough.

the ziplock back will be destroyed in the process...thousands of tiny pin holes will be created.