Grain mills— same thing or different?

[camonick]

I’m very strongly considering advancing from extract brewing to all grain BIAB. With Christmas coming up I’m getting some ideas together for a gift list. I’ve been looking at several different grain mills and can’t help but notice that other than a few slight differences in hopper and crank construction, many of them look like the exact same thing— specifically the 2 roller mills called Malt Muncher, Hullwrecker and the Ferroday Malt Mill. They are all similarly priced.
Are they the same thing, possibly made by the same factory just stamped with different names or am I missing something? I only brew a batch every month or 2 so it won’t be getting heavy use.
Thanks
Nick

 

[bruce_the_loon]

Those all look like the 2018 version of the Chinese one I got last year from AliExpress. Same markings, same structural layout and components. Been working perfectly for the last 18 months or so. Guess they're being churned out by the same manufacturer and then customized by the resellers.

 

[augiedoggy]

the malt munchier, hull wrecker and the like mills are the same mills as the kegco and cereal killer "brands" and there are many other companies that rebrand them as they are sold as unbranded generic mills from china, aliexpress and ebay has them too the main difference is support and maybe the base and crank options. Ive used the cereal killer for 5 years now and love it. so much so I went with the kegco 3 roller mill for my brewpub. these mills have real sealed ball bearings making it superior to the cheaper made bronze bushing mills out there.

In the homebrewing world theres a lot of rebranding and marketing involved with the markups and pricing of products.. It really pays to do your homework like you seem to be doing.

 

[VTX1300]

+1 for the Kegco 3 roller mill. I got one last year for Christmas from my wonderful wife and love it. One of the best upgrades to my brewery.

 

[camonick]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I know what I’ll be getting for Christmas since I just talked my wife into ordering one on sale being cyber Monday and all. I chose the Cereal Killer. The description says it’s been upgraded with roller bearings and an improved crank. I guess I’ll wait to see what shows up.