Grain Mill Question-

[FusilliJerry]

Hello, I am new to this forum and apologize if I posted this in the wrong location. I live in North Jersey and recently purchased grains for my next home brew and my LHBS doesn't have a mill available for costumers. I'm looking to buy one but would like to brew sooner than I can get it delivered. I was wondering if anyone lives around this area with a mill I could use.

 

[MikeHNF]

I may be out of line here as I am pretty new and just starting in the hobby. You could use a rolling pin to crush your grains for this batch until your mill arrives. I only know this from reading on the forum. Haven't actually tried it.

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[Zuljin]

I was using a rolling pin or beer bottle to crush steeping or specialty grains when I did extract. It works so-so for a small amount of grain. Good enough for extract kits. With those, the grains are for color and a little flavor. Well worth it though, I think.

The issue with rolling is the grain spreads out as you roll across it. I dealt with that by loosely wrapping the grain in newspaper and rolling the pin or bottle toward the middle when the grain began to spread out too much. A rubber mallet is another option.

But I wouldn't want to go an AG batch any of those ways. What I've wondered about is a blender or food processor. In a pinch, maybe.

 

[MaxStout]

Perhaps there's another LHBS in your area that would let you come in and mill your grain?

 

[b-boy]

I can't believe your LHBS doesn't have a mill. Seems like that's a must-have.

The rolling pin trick should work for an extract with steeped grains. Otherwise I'd wait for a mill.

 

[TallDan]

There are some region-specific forums here that may help you find a friendly local homebrewer that could help you out. Also look to see if there's a local homebrew club and send a message to them, I'll bet someone can help you out...

 

[FusilliJerry]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I actually got in contact with a microbrewery not too far from me that said I can use the mill they have.

 

[Daet2014]

and given the force required to crush grain, I would agree with those who caution that using a rolling pin to do an all grain brew would be very difficult. Good luck. I assume that your local brew shop does sell crushed/milled grain. Until you get a mill, I would recommend buying crushed grains.

 

[FusilliJerry]

I would have assumed that too but sadly they only had 3 pounds of crushed grains available. Needless to say I'll be doing most of my orders offline from here on out.