Grain mill recommendation

[jwill911]

I'm making the jump from extract to all grain and now I need a mill. I'm looking at several and thought I'd tap the brain trust for recommendations. MoreBeer has a few I'm interested in Malt Muncher 3 roller and Mighty Mill 3 roller, the later comes with a base board and has SS rollers, where the Mighty Mill the base board is extra but has cold rolled steel rollers. When the base board is factored in the price is ~ the same.
Anything else I should consider. I did look at the more expensive Kegco 3 roller that appears to be gear driven and is ~$20 or so more + shipping.
Thanks,
John

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I have heard good things about the Monster Mills: Monster Brewing Hardware - Grain Mills for Home Brewers - Monster Brewing Hardware. Once my Barley Crusher finally kicks, I would consider splurging on the Geared 3 Roller Homebrew Mill Kit. I am willing to pay a little more to support an American or European made product.

 

[Dland]

I have a 3 roller Malt Muncher, it works well. Definite improvement over my old two roller mill, yet another worn out barely crusher.

The first one I got had a poorly machined roller, but morebeer sent me a new one after I documented the problem. I was told it was uncommon

My guess is you will be happy with any well made three roller mill.

 

[MaxStout]

The Cereal Killer is a solid mill, and a good value.

 

[IslandLizard]

There are many threads on mills, I would do a search.

 

[jwill911]

There are many threads on mills, I would do a search.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, I did try searching as I thought it would be common question.

 

[IslandLizard]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, I did try searching as I thought it would be common question.

Did you select to search "Everywhere," or "Threads," not just This thread or This forum?

 

[jwill911]

Did you select to search "Everywhere," or "Threads," not just This thread or This forum?

I'll use Everywhere in the future. Thanks

 

[Golddiggie]

Love my Monster Mill I got back in 2011. ONLY get stainless rollers if you're in an area with rust/corrosion problems where you'll use the mill. Otherwise, the rollers will wear out faster than the non-stainless ones. Mine has hardened steel rollers (2" diameter). I have the motor from Monster on it as well (had to make a riser for the mill to get the shafts to align).

IF I was looking for a new mill I'd get their 3 roller that's at the correct height for their motor as well.

I got the hopper, and extension, when I purchased the mill. Has a total capacity of about 33# (IIRC). Means that any recipe I have can get ALL the grain put into the hopper at one shot.

 

[jwill911]

Love my Monster Mill I got back in 2011. ONLY get stainless rollers if you're in an area with rust/corrosion problems where you'll use the mill. Otherwise, the rollers will wear out faster than the non-stainless ones. Mine has hardened steel rollers (2" diameter). I have the motor from Monster on it as well (had to make a riser for the mill to get the shafts to align).

IF I was looking for a new mill I'd get their 3 roller that's at the correct height for their motor as well.

I got the hopper, and extension, when I purchased the mill. Has a total capacity of about 33# (IIRC). Means that any recipe I have can get ALL the grain put into the hopper at one shot.

Thanks for the feedback. Although we not far from the coast we don’t have high humidity here (SF Bay Area). I think I’ll go with the MM3, not going to go with the three roller geared model w/ 1/2 drive shaft.

 

[matt_m]

I would recommend the geared model. The non-geared model has a habit of sticking once in a while. Its better since I slightly loosened the mounting bolts but still, every once in a while it catches me off guard. No big deal unless you dump 15lb of grain and it decides to stick. I get around that by tossing in a handful first, then dumping the rest if it feeds. If not moving the rollers by hand fixes it but that doesn't work with grain on top, even when reaching under. The geared version would completely eliminate this annoyance. I have the All American motor on mine with the big hopper and a stand I built. Not cheap but its been a great mill other than the sticking issue.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

The Cereal Killer is a solid mill, and a good value.

I have one of these as well, a good value for the money.

 

[govner1]

I'm making the jump from extract to all grain and now I need a mill. I'm looking at several and thought I'd tap the brain trust for recommendations. MoreBeer has a few I'm interested in Malt Muncher 3 roller and Mighty Mill 3 roller, the later comes with a base board and has SS rollers, where the Mighty Mill the base board is extra but has cold rolled steel rollers. When the base board is factored in the price is ~ the same.
Anything else I should consider. I did look at the more expensive Kegco 3 roller that appears to be gear driven and is ~$20 or so more + shipping.
Thanks,
John

I’m a fan of the 3 roller Monster Mill. I used one that I motorized for 8+ years before I was gifted a custom commercial quality mill.
I gave the motorized MM to a brew buddy and it’s still in use.

 

[Dog House Brew]

MM3 when they first opened. Stainless model w 1/2” drive. I power it with a mounted 1/2” drill on a router speed control. I too would get the geared model if I had the option. If not, don’t tighten it to the base too tight. The movement keeps the off roller from not spinning. I had a lot of trouble with it not pulling the grain in until I loosened it up. I’ve ran probably 50 sacks through it with hardly any wear.

 

[bracconiere]

There are many threads on mills, I would do a search.

and i try to read them all! my JSP is kinda past prime, waiting for something to out do it!

(i haven't seen the geared topic brought up much in other threads, and i agree. geared would be nice, i have to jump mine once in a while to get to catch...

the only reason i didn't get geared, is i went for adjustable on both sides? how do geared ones adjust the gap? because the reason i ditched the phil mill i was using, is the roller was crooked and half the grain was not crushed running it through it)

 

[Golddiggie]

Never had any issue getting my MM2 to feed grain. I had issues with the Barley Crusher I had first (that the MM2 replaced).

 

[bracconiere]

Never had any issue getting my MM2 to feed grain. I had issues with the Barley Crusher I had first (that the MM2 replaced).

at what gap? i like mine at 028...

 

[Golddiggie]

at what gap? i like mine at 028...

Currently set to .035, but I've had it down to .032 before. I set the gap to be optimal for the false bottom I'm using.

 

[IslandLizard]

Never had any issue getting my MM2 to feed grain.

Me neither, as long as I make sure the non-driven roller spins freely (engaged by hand, from below) before filling the hopper.

 

[mbg]

Not too long ago I purchased a Crankandstein 3GT mill. I had a Barley Crusher for years and had to have a geared mill for some reason. Anyway, my efficiency jumped considerably even at a larger gap.

 

[Jayjay1976]

You just need two rollers to get the job done. Adding a third, less reliable roller is pointless. Don't fall for the marketing BS. Crushing malt between two rotating objects is the basic truth of what you're doing, goes back thousands of years. Splurge elsewhere.

 

[bracconiere]

You just need two rollers to get the job done. Adding a third, less reliable roller is pointless. Don't fall for the marketing BS. Crushing malt between two rotating objects is the basic truth of what you're doing, goes back thousands of years. Splurge elsewhere.

i once heard a quote unrealted to this..."what's better then 1 roller (phil mill), 2 rollers, whats' better then that? 3 rollers! better then that? 5 rollers!" lol

 

[bwible]

and i try to read them all! my JSP is kinda past prime, waiting for something to out do it!

(i haven't seen the geared topic brought up much in other threads, and i agree. geared would be nice, i have to jump mine once in a while to get to catch...

the only reason i didn't get geared, is i went for adjustable on both sides? how do geared ones adjust the gap? because the reason i ditched the phil mill i was using, is the roller was crooked and half the grain was not crushed running it through it)

I’ve had my JSP for 17 years and its going to outlive me. Mine is geared.

 

[bwible]

 

[madscientist451]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, I did try searching as I thought it would be common question.

I've found that searching HBT is way easier just using google instead of the search bar on the top of the HBT page.
I just enter Homebrewtalk and whatever I'm looking for.
Back to the mill, a 3 roller I'm sure would be great, my old 2 roller mill does an adequate job, I run the grain through twice for BIAB.
If you have the extea cash, buy the best one you can find.

 

[Nagorg]

+1 for the Monster Mill 2-Roller. Mine has been solid!

 

[GrowleyMonster]

I only do 5 or 5.5 gallon batches so take this with a grain of salt if you do big batches, but I use a plain old Corona mill. Not saying it is necessarily best for you but I like mine just fine. It is certainly the cheapest solution unless you happen to know where you can get your hands on two suitably shaped rocks! (I am told that they eventually wear into good fit and alignment after several years of hard use.) The Corona is very compact and does the job fine for me.

 

[Golddiggie]

Me neither, as long as I make sure the non-driven roller spins freely (engaged by hand, from below) before filling the hopper.

Never needed to do that (move the roller by hand). I have mine set up with the motor from Monster. More than enough power to get it running and not stop until I tell it to. Even before that, I never had issues with it when using the cordless drill to run it. The motor is so damned convenient to use. Simply load up the hopper, put the container under it, flip the switch and watch the crushed grain rain on down. The only reason I watch it is to ensure the container doesn't overflow, and/or even it out during the run. I might make a new cart for the mill this year.

 

[jrgtr42]

May not be the best of the best of the best, but Adventures in Homebrewing is having a sale on the Cereal Killer. Hundred bucks.

 

[IslandLizard]

Never needed to do that (move the roller by hand).

Not sure what causes it getting "stuck." Maybe it needs to be realigned, again.

After a few times getting caught filling the hopper and only the driven roller spinning, I now just make sure the slave roller runs freely, before I start the (semi-permanently mounted) drill and fill the hopper.