Grain mills

[SCBrewster]

Any reason why homebrew grain mills are like $150 but when you search grain mills on eBay you can get them new for like $27?

 

[user 144271]

Do you have a link for the cheap ones?

 

[SCBrewster]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Crank-...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2c6648f0f1

 

[alien]

Ideally you want something that crushes rather than grinds the malt. Plenty of people use them though.

 

[SCBrewster]

Oh I see. I would still think you could get the same effect but I could be wrong. I've never done it I'm just looking into getting into all grain

 

[reverendj1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Crank-...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2c6648f0f1

That's an off-brand Corona mill. I have heard of people having issues with the ones that aren't specifically Corona or Victory, but many people use these mills for grain (including Charlie Papazian, IIRC). I have not used one of these myself, but I have heard they take a little fiddling to get the crush right. This should have all the info you need if you want to use one, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-ugly-junk-corona-mill-station-90849/.

 

[cram]

The hopper capacity and roller mill sizing/design are the big differences. There's a big difference in milling a few ounces (to a pound or so) of flour versus milling enough malt for a big beer. As is the case a lot of times, you get what you pay for--not to mention, having the right tool for the job saves a lot of time and money in the end.

I'd argue that of all the brewers who have a decent mill (and have dropped the coin for one), not one would regret their purchase. My two-roller Monster Mill has been one of my best brew-related purchases and has done more to shave my brewing costs than anything else. Buying 55 lb. sacks of base malt really brings cost/beer down.

 

[reverendj1]

Heck, my LHBS even has one. That, a Monster Mill, and some unknown powered mill (I can't tell what because of the housing). I've never used their Corona mill, because they don't have a hopper for it.

 

[ButcherBoy]

Because you are comparing apples to oranges. The corona style mill you linked is OK, but it was designed to mill grain for bread or cereal (think cream -of-wheat). A brewing mill is much different, look at Crankandstein.net for example. Both work, lots of threads here with details of both types. I'm waiting for a Crankandstein 3D to show up at my front door.

 

[SCBrewster]

Yeah I guess I could see how in the end it would come out saving you money if you brew enough and buy in bulk. I don't think I'm anywhere close to the 55lb of grains yet haha

 

[sapo59]

The corona style/cereal mills work well if you are brewing biab.

 

[alien]

Your LHBS can probably crush malt for you. I wouldn't worry about a mill for your first all grain.

 

[SCBrewster]

Yeah I probably will have them do that. Just a curiosity more than anything!

 

[beaksnbeer]

You go big or go home just kidding but this can save you in the long run of 200 gallons and 1.49 a lbs base grain and a 50 mile trip to "local" Hbs

 

[latium]

You'd use 50 lbs quicker than you'd think. That's only about 5 batches of moderate strength, up to maybe 10 if you only brew lighter session beers (so call it 4-8 on average, depending on your brewing habits), assuming 5-gallon batches. My LHBS charges about half the price per pound for a 50-lb sack, and I figured out that I'd break even before the end of my third bag, so that's a year (if you brew a lot) or three (if you don't) of brewing.

 

[SCBrewster]

Yeah I'm sure it gets used up pretty quick. I live in an apartment right now so that's not even an option haha

 

[Fractional]

i use a mill like that brewed a stout this morning and i hit 81% efficacy with it. they work but your arm gets tired fast. defiantly look in to a motor for it most use a drill. im looking for a geared motor for mine right now.

 

[SCBrewster]

So do you just usually buy like 55lb bags of 2row and base malts like that?

 

[beaksnbeer]

I get four #50 of 2 row and/or 6 row Pale malt and four #50 of Pilsen malt for base's. I get a #50 sack of Vienna, Maris Otter, and Roasted (Stouts/Porters I try to keep 2 year round). Then try to plan out my brews for 3 month time frames to keep trips to the LHBS for as needed for specialty grains. I buy 6 smack packs that I keep yeast cultures growing and make starters. I have 12 taps and 16 kegs cold so I brew pretty regularly so it helps to have a plan to keep pipeline stocked. And I mainly stick to 5 gallon batches do some 10 gallon batches that I will split with a few brewers that I have taught, I mostly do Biab with a sparge. I always get 200 gallons before the next year.

 

[SCBrewster]

That's hardcore haha not sure how you have that much time to make and drink all of that

 

[CGVT]

Many people use the Corona mills with great results. Check out this thread.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-ugly-junk-corona-mill-station-90849/?highlight=corona+mill

 

[beaksnbeer]

That's hardcore haha not sure how you have that much time to make and drink all of that

Sounds like a lot till you break it down. It's roughly 2,200 beers (12oz) or 6 beers a day,I host brew days and with 3-8 people sampling cuts that number down dramatically

 

[jflongo]

Man I wish we were neighbors