Grain mill?

[williamsdm1111]

I'm looking to get a mill so I can buy my grain in bulk. Seems to be a huge price range. I'm on a somewhat tight budget currently. Any recommendations?

 

[mikeysab]

Here's a pretty fairly priced mill. No base or hopper, but I"m sure you could figure something out. Free shipping, and if you add a pack of yeast, you get a free surprise.

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/beer_...13559&osCsid=716f5c2155b33b72c991c2e0c325d2c3

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/free-shipping-saturday-sunday-only-austin-homebrew-supply-412724/

 

[Double_D]

I love my monster mill 3 roller. I'd say it's just like a fish tank, get the best equipment you can afford. They all basically do the same thing. A note on the MM3 though, the guy at my LHBS bought a MM3 with the base and it came cracked in the box so you should keep an eye out for that.

 

[wiggybrewer]

A lot of people use Corona mills for the cheap. I've been using a Barley Crusher for over a year now and no compliants so far. To me it was the middle of the price range and works fine for me.

 

[RM-MN]

How much grain you will be milling at a time will dictate somewhat the mill you buy. Some mills are way faster than others.

 

[lschiavo]

I love my monster mill 3 roller. I'd say it's just like a fish tank, get the best equipment you can afford. They all basically do the same thing. A note on the MM3 though, the guy at my LHBS bought a MM3 with the base and it came cracked in the box so you should keep an eye out for that.

I'm with you on the MM3. I have not had an issue or even an adjustment made in over four years. The extra $ is worth it for that reason IMO.

 

[logdrum]

The MM-2 is also an awesome mill, 2 roller, so a bit more affordable.

 

[unionrdr]

I also bought the Barley Crusher grain mill from NB for $130. Used it the first time today on a PM Berlin Wheat. Even with the hand crank,it went pretty quick & getting a way better crush now. It comes mounted on a base with a 7lb hopper & a crank handle. but also works with a drill. The hopper is the perfect size for partial mashes,as I use 6lbs of grains tops so far.

 

[Kmcogar]

I have the crankandstein 2s. It works good for me! I got lucky and got a discount plus free shipping. I bought it for $75. I built my hopper and just hook a drill right up to it for milling. I can crush about 15lbs in 5 minutes

 

[Qhrumphf]

I've been using a Corona Mill for years. It's cheap, and it's always worked for me. However, it tends to shred your grain husks. I get good efficiency out of it (80-85%), but makes stuck sparges pretty common. It's also very tedious and slow to mill with. I plan on upgrading my mill soon. My LHBS seems to have a pretty decent deal on Barley Crusher mills.

 

[bratrules]

I've been eyeing this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barley-mill...ill-Maltmill-Home-Brewing-grain-/140971895465

But i want to get some reviews before jumping the gun. Though it looks pretty good.

 

[mikescooling]

I'm with you on the MM3. I have not had an issue or even an adjustment made in over four years. The extra $ is worth it for that reason IMO.

I have the MM-3 but the MM-2 is a great mill and cheaper. Don't think the MM-2 is a bad mill in any way. If I was to buy again it would be a MM-2.

 

[JohnSand]

I don't mill. But other forums have guys using coffee grinders or even blenders. Google it.

 

[IslandLizard]

I have the crankandstein 2s....

The only caveat with that 2s mill is it's not adjustable.**

I just bought a Monster Mill MM-2 without the hand-crank. Using an electric drill.

If you're a bit handy you could self-fabricate the base (HD fiberboard) and hopper (Masonite, 1/4" plywood, or sheet metal).


**Correction:
The 2s mill IS adjustable. The eccentric bearings can be punched out, turned, and punched back in.

 

[alestateyall]

Beersmith.com has a special price on Barley Crusher mills: 7# hopper $109.95 + shipping. 15# hopper $132.95 + shipping.

Link: http://beersmith.com/barley-crusher/

 

[RM-MN]

I've been using a Corona Mill for years. It's cheap, and it's always worked for me. However, it tends to shred your grain husks. I get good efficiency out of it (80-85%), but makes stuck sparges pretty common. It's also very tedious and slow to mill with. I plan on upgrading my mill soon. My LHBS seems to have a pretty decent deal on Barley Crusher mills.

Have you tried conditioning the grain first? Give them a good spray of water and let them set for a bit. That should toughen the husks on the grain and make them less likely to shred.

 

[Kmcogar]

The only caveat with that 2s mill is it's not adjustable.

I just bought a Monster Mill MM-2 without the hand-crank. Using an electric drill.

If you're a bit handy you could self-fabricate the base (HD fiberboard) and hopper (Masonite, 1/4" plywood, or sheet metal).

Not sure which crankandstein 2s you have used but mine is adjustable. Just sayin. I actually stuck with the factory setting and it mills great

http://www.crankandstein.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12

 

[Qhrumphf]

Have you tried conditioning the grain first? Give them a good spray of water and let them set for a bit. That should toughen the husks on the grain and make them less likely to shred.

I haven't. With the effort required in either case, I find it easier to occasionally have to shut the valve, stir, and recirculate again.

 

[Wreck99]

The MM-2 is also an awesome mill, 2 roller, so a bit more affordable.

Agreed. Love my MM2. Been using it for about a year now. Great mill. I did opt for the upgraded hardened ss, so a little more pricey.

 

[WTWjr]

I have the Cereal Killer from Adventures in Homebrewing. I've only used it a couple of times, but it seems like a really nice mill for the money ($110 regular price, I got it when it was on sale for $90)

 

[unkyjack]

For info on Corona mills from people who use them look here and here.

 

[masskrug]

Crankandstein 2A. I'm getting 70% at stock settings (.45). Even with a second crush. I need to tighten it up.

 

[TNTgill]

I'm using the Cereal Killer as well. Only milled 1 batch so far but it was 14 lbs and with the hand crank I got through it in maybe 5-6 minutes. Using the stock settings I got 74% efficiency with it. I have already tightened it down a bit for my next batch. Can't be beat for 100 (I also go free shipping on mine as well).

 

[Vernacular]

I bought a cereal killer mill also. Was on sale, just under $100 w/ free shipping. I THINK the free shioppingis still on, don't quote me on that. Below is alink to a video I made about it. I have nothing but praise for it.

 

[suprat78]

I'm using the Cereal Killer as well. Only milled 1 batch so far but it was 14 lbs and with the hand crank I got through it in maybe 5-6 minutes. Using the stock settings I got 74% efficiency with it. I have already tightened it down a bit for my next batch. Can't be beat for 100 (I also go free shipping on mine as well).

Same here! I bought this a month ago and think its a great mill for the price!

 

[kman6234]

I got a MM-2 this past Christmas and really love it. Once I got the gap dialed in it really helped improve my efficiency and consistency. Plus now I'm able to get in on group grain buys and thats really helped lower my cost per batch. Buying a mill is definitely a great investment if you're going to brew on a routine basis.

 

[unionrdr]

I've been eyeing this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barley-mill...ill-Maltmill-Home-Brewing-grain-/140971895465

But i want to get some reviews before jumping the gun. Though it looks pretty good.

The Barley Crusher mill at NB is $130. http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/barley-crusher-w-7-hopper.html Solid base & two hopper sizes,this one being 7lb size. perfect for steeping grains or partial mash amounts. Even with the hand crank,I can go through 4-6lbs of grain in no time. Stock setting of .039" is notched on the adjustment knobs too. Great crush on factory settings.

 

[logdrum]

The Barley Crusher mill at NB is $130. http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/barley-crusher-w-7-hopper.html Solid base & two hopper sizes,this one being 7lb size. perfect for steeping grains or partial mash amounts. Even with the hand crank,I can go through 4-6lbs of grain in no time. Stock setting of .039" is notched on the adjustment knobs too. Great crush on factory settings.

For not a lot more, the Monster Mill is substantially more rugged. Not to take away form the many fans of the BC.

 

[MaxStout]

Bought the MM-2, love it. I did opt for the 1/2" shaft ($15 more) so I could attach pulleys and motorize it. I don't like to hand-crank. I have the gap set at .039" and I got close to 80% eff. on the last BIAB.

You may get by OK with the small hand-crank models (i.e., Corona) if you're doing partial mash or small batches, but when you are faced with crushing 12 or more pounds of grain, you will be happy if you opted for a bigger mill.

BTW, if you get a Monster Mill, first thing to do is replace the 2 thumbscrews with 1/4-20 cap screws. My only (very minor) gripe for an otherwise outstanding mill.

 

[IslandLizard]

MM-2
After doing extensive research, I decided the MM-2 was the better deal, at least as of 1 month ago. And it surely is rugged.

If anything, I would say adding 2 rectangular steel plates under the base where the mill's fasteners are would make for a better, more solid construction. The HD fiberboard tends to warp there, particularly on the thin edge side. I have the feeling this being an issue with most fiberboard bases.

Barley Crusher
Initially I was attracted to the Barley Crusher's price including the base and hopper. But a few months ago there was a lot of talk on the quality of their rollers, particularly the knurl being sub-standard on newly shipped items and the "lifetime warranty" being hollow when called upon. Maybe and hopefully those problems have been resolved which would return the mill to its competitive entry in the decision matrix.