Grain Mill or Plate Stirrer???

[ryan_george]

My vote for grain mill. Yes, the initial costs will be higher than that of a stir plate. But consider the cost savings of buying grain in bulk and milling it yourself...

You definitely don't need a stir plate and they are significantly easier to DIY than a mill.

 

[SGFBeerBuzz]

My LHBS charges 1.00/lb for base grains. It doesn't make as much sense for me to own a mill. I'd buy a stir plate.

 

[sfrisby]

I would have to vote both. I got a corona mill for $20 with free shipping, as long as I added $5 to my order, from amazon a few months ago and as said above you can pick up a stir plate for $42.

How big is your bonus? Above is your answer! I got a corona a couple months ago. Changed brewing for me I simply don't get the $150 mills. $25 corona is great for me. $42 at stir starter.com. Your get both at $67. I don't understand the debate.

 

[kh54s10]

Build a stir plate >$15. Then buy a Corona style grain mill ~$20-$25. A couple of washers the fine tune the mill then SPEND THE REST ON INGREDIENTS!

 

[Fastmetal]

Thanks for all the replies. I bought a stirplate from http://www.stirstarters.com/ (It's already here!!!), and am going to order a Barley Crusher next week.

 

[melche01]

Good choice. Most people invest too much on fancy stuff to improve hot side of brewing but most important process by far is the cold side. All things equal, stir plate much more likely to contribute to making better beer. Kind of like golfers spending $400 on a driver and wasting all there time at the driving range when a few minutes with a good putter will improve your game unparalleled.