- Joined
- Mar 12, 2007
- Messages
- 6,841
- Reaction score
- 857
I voted for the mill, but you've got to have another thirty bucks.For all the pump voters out there I will be investing in one as well some where down the road.
I voted for the mill, but you've got to have another thirty bucks.For all the pump voters out there I will be investing in one as well some where down the road.
Grain mill IMO. I think it was Denny who said approppriately, you don't hear people who own grain mills complaining about their crush.
I agree with kombat. There is no debate. It's all about the beer.
A pump will make it easier, but a mill will help you make better beer.
- Recirculating gives you clearer wort, not clearer beer.here's how a pump helps me make better beer:
- recirculating the mash (better clarity and efficiency)
- recirculating wort during chilling (better hop aroma from faster chilling; clearer wort thanks to recirculation through hop bed)
- Recirculating gives you clearer wort, not clearer beer.
- Clearer beer is not alway better beer.
- Better efficiency does not equal better beer.
- Consistent efficiency makes better beer.
- Consistent crush equals consistent efficiency.
- Faster chill does not equal better hop aroma
Google hop stand. You can get to below isomerization temperature quickly with an IC by manually stirring.
If I'm going to end up with a right arm like Arnold Schwarzenegger, there are more fun ways of doing it...
recirculating the mash (better clarity and efficiency)
Funny, my Barley Crusher is going on seven years and a few thousand pounds of grain. Only thing that has worn out are two HF drills to drive the thing.Spend the money once on a monster mill. Don't buy a barley crusher, it will wear out in a year
Whatever pal. I brew good tasting, good looking beer with consistent efficiency and I've never once looked at a 25kg sack of Maris Otter and thought - "I wish I'd milled this myself". If I'm going to end up with a right arm like Arnold Schwarzenegger, there are more fun ways of doing it...
well, i guess it's different over here in the UK, where probably 90% of homebrewers are getting their malt crushed by the same (highly regarded) guy. with so many other variables to work with in pursuit of making good beer, adjusting the crush of my grain just isn't even on my radar. maybe this will change with time.
for me, adding a pump to my setup made a real difference, if not to the beer itself, then certainly to the experience of making it. automated spargeing, mash recirculation, whirlpool chilling.....these things are helpful and rewarding in themselves (and i actually think they do contribute to the quality of the end product)
There are far many more easy "work arounds" for not having a pump, but not having a mill???
I would also like to point out that most home brewers don't realize they are being charged a pretty penny to have the LHBS mill grain for them. After I purchased a mill my PPO (price per ounce) dropped drastically and made it possible for me to tackle bigger beers with my ingredient budget.
Enter your email address to join: