Grain mill question

[Joewalla88]

My grain mill broke and I need a new one. What's the difference between these two? Does anyone know?

 

[day_trippr]

Actual links would have been helpful, I can only guess the minimum difference is the one on the right doesn't have mounting plate or a crank. Other things worth looking for are ball bearing vs sleeves, whether the rollers have been hardened, etc.

fwiw, I bought a Cereal Killer (the one on the left) this year (to replace a well-used Barley Crusher) and it works great, quite happy with it actually...

Cheers!

 

[Carolina_Matt]

The Cereal Killer has a good reputation, and that's a very good price for it, but beware. The seller only has one rating, and it's negative. I wouldn't buy from him.

I can't speak for the second one there. It looks like a generic version of the Cereal Killer.

 

[tellyho]

I've beaten the crap out of my cereal killer for 5+ years now. Had to replace the bearings because I was cleaning with compressed air, but going strong now that I moved to the vacuum.

 

[Joewalla88]

The Cereal Killer has a good reputation, and that's a very good price for it, but beware. The seller only has one rating, and it's negative. I wouldn't buy from him.

I can't speak for the second one there. It looks like a generic version of the Cereal Killer.

Good looking out. I didnt look that closely at it yet. Thanks.

 

[Joewalla88]

Not sure why, but I'm a little sketched out by the black hardware on the generic one. I wish I could just buy a new dead roller for my mill instead of buying a whole new one, but it just doesnt seem worth it, and since I got it used theres no warranty.

 

[Wreck99]

I'm looking for the rubber protector strips on the top. Anyone know where to buy these separate for the Monster Mill hopper?

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I fabricated a hopper extension for my original Barley Crusher mill (now using it on my Cereal Killer) and because the aluminum sheet edges were fabulously sharp I picked up some plastic sliding binder bars (usually used with a clear report cover), mitered the ends to fit together and relieving spots with poking rivets...

I put the bars on in 2011 and they're still doing their thing to keep me from letting blood in the brewery

Cheers!

 

[Robert65]

I'm looking for the rubber protector strips on the top. Anyone know where to buy these separate for the Monster Mill hopper?

I have a Monster Mill and put some of this edge trim on it. Not that it is any more suitable than any other trim, just an example.

Trim-Lok Rubber Edge Trim - Flexible Neoprene Edge Protector for Sharp and Rough Surfaces - Easy Install, Push-On Edge Guard for Sharp Edges, Cars, Boats, Machinery, and More - Fits 1/16" Edge, 1/2" Leg Length, 25' Length https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NL49DCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G5THDbGG150AC

These mills should all come with edge trim. If manufacturers are listening.

 

[augiedoggy]

My grain mill broke and I need a new one. What's the difference between these two? Does anyone know?View attachment 645236View attachment 645237

Ive got both of these mills along with a kegco 3 roller. (which we use at my nanobrewery every week for a 3bbl system.)
STAY AWAY from the one on the right... I bought that one and it was total junk that didnt even bolt together.. seller didnt want to even pay for return shipping when I got my refund. the one on the left is the same Generic mill as kegco and keg king also rebrands and sells along with INBEV (with thier Hullwrecker). It IS a great mill with ball bearings, superior to the cheaper bronze bushing mills like the barley crusher and even MM2 (Ive had a cerealkiller for 6 years with zero issues)

 

[augiedoggy]

I'm looking for the rubber protector strips on the top. Anyone know where to buy these separate for the Monster Mill hopper?

The cheaper mills come with these strips... No good reason MM shouldnt be providing them for what they charge.

 

[kh54s10]

I would also be wary that an Ebay seller is actually selling the Cereal Killer rather than a cheaper knock-off and calling it the Cereal Killer. It has happened that a seller will take advertisement from other products to show in their listing, making it is look like their product.

As said earlier. When using Ebay you have to look at reviews and ratings. I only buy with a 95% or better rating with lots of reviews.

 

[augiedoggy]

^ yes this has happened to me once or twice in my 2000+ ebay purchases including this mill mentioned on the right with had photos of both different mills in the description. I was thankful for the purchase protection.

 

[augiedoggy]

I'm looking for the rubber protector strips on the top. Anyone know where to buy these separate for the Monster Mill hopper?

BTW the rubber strip from the kegco/maltmunchier mills fits the MM hoppers perfectly as I have the MM3 hopper extension on my kegco 3 roller and installed the rubber guard from the base hopper onto it. you might be able to get the item as a replacement part from one of them.

 

[Joewalla88]

Has anyone tried this one? The Crop Duster?

https://www.austinhomebrew.com/The-Crop-Duster_p_10129.html

 

[augiedoggy]

Has anyone tried this one? The Crop Duster?

https://www.austinhomebrew.com/The-Crop-Duster_p_10129.html

its also avaliable on ebay sold under the malt master brand name actually engraved on its side.

 

[IslandLizard]

Has anyone tried this one? The Crop Duster?

https://www.austinhomebrew.com/The-Crop-Duster_p_10129.html

According to the description, the tightest gap is allegedly 0.025". That may work just fine for most small kernel grain such as wheat, oats, and rye, and flaked stuff, I mill them at that gap. But if you ever want to use Triticale or other very tiny kernel grain, it won't crush/mill them enough.

Rolls are "only" 5" wide and 1.3" diameter. Not a big deal.
Now 304 stainless is not the best material for rollers, but chances are average homebrewers won't wear them down unless they mill rice and (flaked) corn, habitually.

 

[Joewalla88]

According to the description, the tightest gap is allegedly 0.025". That may work just fine for most small kernel grain such as wheat, oats, and rye, and flaked stuff, I mill them at that gap. But if you ever want to use Triticale or other very tiny kernel grain, it won't crush/mill them enough.

Rolls are "only" 5" wide and 1.3" diameter. Not a big deal.
Now 304 stainless is not the best material for rollers, but chances are average homebrewers won't wear them down unless they mill rice and (flaked) corn, habitually.

I mostly liked the big hopper, but it might just be the way the picture looks.

 

[IslandLizard]

I mostly liked the big hopper, but it might just be the way the picture looks.

I too think it's the viewing angle.
Nothing wrong with topping it up midway or toward the end...

My MM2 without a hopper extension fits right between 2 shelves in the rack. I really need to put some tape or guard along that top edge.

 

[Joewalla88]

There's one on Amazon by a brand called ferroday. Has anyone used one of those? It has good reviews. I'm in a bit of a budget right now, so this might be ok.

 

[augiedoggy]

There's one on Amazon by a brand called ferroday. Has anyone used one of those? It has good reviews. I'm in a bit of a budget right now, so this might be ok.

its actually the ceareal killer/hullwrecker rebranded once again but this is the model with the softer stainless rollers... should be fine, ideal if you condition your grain.

 

[Joewalla88]

So what type of rollers would you Rreccomend?

 

[sakeyfour]

I'm looking for the rubber protector strips on the top. Anyone know where to buy these separate for the Monster Mill hopper?

I had some left over beverage tubing that I sliced and fit over the edges of my mill. Used 4 short pieces so it all fit together well.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o87z25Y4JEWNK2CDA

not a close up but you can see the tubing.

 

[Robert65]

Notice Bobby at Brew Hardware sells this edging by the foot

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/edgingft.htm

 

[augiedoggy]

So what type of rollers would you Rreccomend?

I recommend a cereal killer mill like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cereal-Kil...181964?hash=item28855d63cc:g:CWkAAOSw6eBdg4oU
or a kegco mill (one and the same really) 2 or 3 roller really doesnt matter.

 

[augiedoggy]

So what type of rollers would you Rreccomend?

the non stainless.... they are hardened and will stay sharp longer. stainless is softer like the soft barley crusher roller which many learned wear down and cause the rollers not to turn anymore.

 

[Joewalla88]

the non stainless.... they are hardened and will stay sharp longer. stainless is softer like the soft barley crusher roller which many learned wear down and cause the rollers not to turn anymore.

That's good to know, thanks. I think that's what happened to my old one.

 

[fun4stuff]

its actually the ceareal killer/hullwrecker rebranded once again but this is the model with the softer stainless rollers... should be fine, ideal if you condition your grain.

What do you mean by “condition” your grain?

 

[augiedoggy]

What do you mean by “condition” your grain?

some home brewers spray their grain with water before milling to make the grain moist. it can allow you to mill without as much dust. It may have another advantage too but im not sure what since Ive never tried it.

 

[day_trippr]

Conditioning (dampening) helps preserve the integrity of grain husks through enhanced pliability, has the added benefit of markedly reduced dust production, and can often allow a tighter mill gap...

Cheers!