Grain Mills

[sgwink]

Visit the corona mill thread. I bought a corona mill off ebay for 15$, bought a bucket from lowes 4$, threaded bolt for use in place of the handle <1$, use drill and an empty pretzel container with the bottom cut out to fit into the metal hopper. I mounted the mill into my bucket, put the lid on, and use a plastic bag from the grocery store to seal the rough cut I made when I grind. No dust issues and no wear issues after over a year of use and hundreds of pounds of grain through it.

 

[Dcpcooks]

Crankandstein 3D. You won’t be sorry.

 

[6Tap]

Go with the 2-roller Malt Muncher.

I have 1 new one on Amazon for $95.99+ $8 shipping!

 

[Jayjay1976]

Visit the corona mill thread. I bought a corona mill off ebay for 15$, bought a bucket from lowes 4$, threaded bolt for use in place of the handle <1$, use drill and an empty pretzel container with the bottom cut out to fit into the metal hopper. I mounted the mill into my bucket, put the lid on, and use a plastic bag from the grocery store to seal the rough cut I made when I grind. No dust issues and no wear issues after over a year of use and hundreds of pounds of grain through it.

Sorry, but pretzel jug, garbage bag? Sounds like a bunch of trash. All that aside, corona type mills shred grain while roller mills crush it. Husks remain intact. Rotary mills result in powdered husks ending up in the boil and in the fermenter, which is not a good thing. It's not only an opinion, it is a fact that rotary grinders pulverize husks. Pulver is the german word for powder BTW. Corona mills are fine, just know what it is that they do to grain and husks and be prepared for the permanent impact this will have on the flavor of your beer.

 

[Jayjay1976]

The Cereal killer is an excellent choice. $99 isn't exactly pocket change, but what does a sack of grain and a pound of hops run you? Buying a proper mill is perhaps the most effective upgrade you will ever make in regards to improving beer quality. What else matters as much as that? This is basic stuff folks, a predictable, repeatable crush is about as important as solid sanitation practices. When you get serious about producing quality beers, you buy a mill. It's a no brainer, really. At least it is for those of us with a functioning brain.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Sorry, but pretzel jug, garbage bag? Sounds like a bunch of trash. All that aside, corona type mills shred grain while roller mills crush it. Husks remain intact. Rotary mills result in powdered husks ending up in the boil and in the fermenter, which is not a good thing. It's not only an opinion, it is a fact that rotary grinders pulverize husks. Pulver is the german word for powder BTW. Corona mills are fine, just know what it is that they do to grain and husks and be prepared for the permanent impact this will have on the flavor of your beer.

Interesting read on milling and grain particle size distribution of the grist produced from commercial mills, home brew mills, and the often maligned corona type mill.

http://brewlikeapro.net/maltmilling.html

Interesting that the findings show that commercial mills produced more “pulver” than the corona mill? Also, the corona mill has the closest particle size distribution to the commercial mills than any of the Home brew mills.

Might your concerns regarding the corona be overstated given these factual, science based test results vs theory and opinion?

I have both a corona mill, and a kegco three roller mill, a close visual observation of the grist produced by both of them is, meh...not much difference...both crushes look good and not substantially different.

 

[kh54s10]

Sorry, but pretzel jug, garbage bag? Sounds like a bunch of trash. All that aside, corona type mills shred grain while roller mills crush it. Husks remain intact. Rotary mills result in powdered husks ending up in the boil and in the fermenter, which is not a good thing. It's not only an opinion, it is a fact that rotary grinders pulverize husks. Pulver is the german word for powder BTW. Corona mills are fine, just know what it is that they do to grain and husks and be prepared for the permanent impact this will have on the flavor of your beer.

There are thousands of people using corona style mills, myself included, many for decades. They do shred the husks somewhat but they also produce excellent beer!

 

[Jayjay1976]

There are thousands of people using corona style mills, myself included, many for decades. They do shred the husks somewhat but they also produce excellent beer!

Warning--anecdote ahead:
The two batches I brewed with a borrowed corona mill had a noticeable grainy/straw flavor. Of course it could have been something else but I haven't had that experience with my roller mill.
Caveat-the corona may have been poorly adjusted or I ran it too fast. I prefer a roller mill because it has only 1 adjustment and requires very little fiddling to get consistent results.

 

[Rev2010]

I had a Barley Crusher when I started. Like all the others I was happy with it and recommended it - until it stopped grabbing grain. It wore down way too fast. After that I purchased a Monster Mill and personally I think it was a significant upgrade. It mills with ease, the build quality is great, and they are known to last a very very long time even without the hardened upgrade. I also hated that the BC drive shaft would slip when using my drill cause the flat spot was so small - not a problem with the MM. Matter of fact, I'm just getting back into brewing after a hiatus due to a divorce and move into an apartment and just yesterday ordered a Monster Mill (since I sold all my prior homebrew stuff) and skipped the $60 hardened upgrade. $60 isn't much at all and they tout it lasts 10x longer, I just passed on it to save money overall and I know it will last a long long time anyway.


Rev.

 

[nymtber]

Cereal killer here. Set it to credit card gap, and I get 82% efficiency almost every brew. Sure, it grinds a bit fine at that setting, but for BIAB, its no big deal. Not too fine though.

I wouldn't even mess with a corona style. Save up for the Cereal killer, and get a corded drill. You CAN hand crank, but... $40 buys a nice "Skil" hand drill at lowes, I even paid the extra $5 2 year warranty, just in case

 

[kh54s10]

Warning--anecdote ahead:
The two batches I brewed with a borrowed corona mill had a noticeable grainy/straw flavor. Of course it could have been something else but I haven't had that experience with my roller mill.
Caveat-the corona may have been poorly adjusted or I ran it too fast. I prefer a roller mill because it has only 1 adjustment and requires very little fiddling to get consistent results.

I have been using my Corona style mill for 6 3/4 years and I get very consistent results. When the results are less consistent it in not because of the mill.

Cereal killer here. Set it to credit card gap, and I get 82% efficiency almost every brew. Sure, it grinds a bit fine at that setting, but for BIAB, its no big deal. Not too fine though.

I wouldn't even mess with a corona style. Save up for the Cereal killer, and get a corded drill. You CAN hand crank, but... $40 buys a nice "Skil" hand drill at lowes, I even paid the extra $5 2 year warranty, just in case

Why all the hate for the Corona mill. They are a bit of a PITA but they work very well. That said I want a good roller mill, but because I think it will be easier to use, not for the grind. I will have to see sometime in the future if it makes my beer any better. I think if it does, the change will be minor.

 

[LittleRiver]

What is the best value out there for grain mills.....I don't need overkill, just something adequate.

I would say the best value is the Cereal Killer for $99 (includes baseplate and shipping).

I use a 3 roller Kegco mill, and I've been real happy with it.

If you drive your mill with a drill, it's best to use one that has sufficient gear reduction to give adequate torque at low speeds, like this one from HF. It's what I use, and it will cold start at low speed with the hopper prefilled, no problem.

 

[beerbomb]

I appreciate all the input.
I found a cereal killer for $99, free shipping.
It should be here 4/27.
My 11 gallon ss steamer pot came today.
My order of malts and hops came last week.
I'll be milling and brewing no later than Saturday.
Cheers!

 

[bleme]

I appreciate all the input.
I found a cereal killer for $99, free shipping.
It should be here 4/27.
My 11 gallon ss steamer pot came today.
My order of malts and hops came last week.
I'll be milling and brewing no later than Saturday.
Cheers!

That sounds great! Ever talk to the guys at Yorkholo Brewing?
I get my base malts from the local brewpub at wholesale cost (about $30/50lb bag). If it isn't something he has plenty of, he just adds my order in with his.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I appreciate all the input.
I found a cereal killer for $99, free shipping.
It should be here 4/27.
My 11 gallon ss steamer pot came today.
My order of malts and hops came last week.
I'll be milling and brewing no later than Saturday.
Cheers!

YEAH! Brew on brother! May the malts be with you!!

 

[toddo97]

I appreciate all the input.
I found a cereal killer for $99, free shipping.
It should be here 4/27.
My 11 gallon ss steamer pot came today.
My order of malts and hops came last week.
I'll be milling and brewing no later than Saturday.
Cheers!

You're going to love the CK!

 

[Jayjay1976]

That sounds great! Ever talk to the guys at Yorkholo Brewing?
I get my base malts from the local brewpub at wholesale cost (about $30/50lb bag). If it isn't something he has plenty of, he just adds my order in with his.

Does he use imported base malts?? I'd love to find a deal locally on Bestmalz Heidelberg pilsener...

 

[beerbomb]

Does he use imported base malts?? I'd love to find a deal locally on Bestmalz Heidelberg pilsener...

Does he use imported base malts?? I'd love to find a deal locally on Bestmalz Heidelberg pilsener...

I'm not sure about the imported base malts.

That sounds great! Ever talk to the guys at Yorkholo Brewing?
I get my base malts from the local brewpub at wholesale cost (about $30/50lb bag). If it isn't something he has plenty of, he just adds my order in with his.

@ bleme, are you in the Mansfield area? I am interested to get in on a shipment with Yorkholo brewing. I look forward to hearing more about that.

 

[bleme]

@ bleme, are you in the Mansfield area? I am interested to get in on a shipment with Yorkholo brewing. I look forward to hearing more about that.

I live in central California - I just Googled what brewpubs were closest to you and Yorkholo's storefront seemed very approachable.

 

[bleme]

Does he use imported base malts?? I'd love to find a deal locally on Bestmalz Heidelberg pilsener...

My brewpub gets some UK grain, like Maris Otter. I've never asked him for German stuff. Beerbomb's Yorkholo might since they seem to specialize in Belgian beers.

You might have a tougher time going that direction around Chicago. I would think the big guys wouldn't want to bother with it and the small guys wouldn't want to step on the LHBS toes. I might be wrong. Never hurts to ask.

 

[beerbomb]

I live in central California - I just Googled what brewpubs were closest to you and Yorkholo's storefront seemed very approachable.

My brewpub gets some UK grain, like Maris Otter. I've never asked him for German stuff. Beerbomb's Yorkholo might since they seem to specialize in Belgian beers.

You might have a tougher time going that direction around Chicago. I would think the big guys wouldn't want to bother with it and the small guys wouldn't want to step on the LHBS toes. I might be wrong. Never hurts to ask.

Thanks for the suggestion. I should stop in and throw that out to them.

 

[beerbomb]

You're going to love the CK!

The CK worked great!

 

[Jayjay1976]

The CK worked great!

The only thing that is missing from the Cereal Killer is a nice big sticker of the package art to put on the hopper. Or on my bumper. Or on my forehead!

Oh, and we the people want some CK schwag. Seriously, I want a Cereal Killer T-shirt. I'll pay for it and everything, just make one.

EDIT: A CK trucker hat would be clutch.

 

[redarmy990]

i just bought a cereal killer aswell, but unlike you guys it cost me $60, as i had a lot of points to use at AIH, So got a gift card and made the purchase, hopefully it will arrive in next couple of days

 

[cyberbackpacker]

The cereal killer and 3-roller Kegco are both the best value around!

I have owned monster mills, crankandstein, corona, philmill... They all get the job done, but the 2 or 3 roller mills have a ton going for them. And the Cereal Killer or Kegco 3 roller version perform as well as any of the the pricier ones (and I have put countless pounds of grain through them all).

My $0.02

 

[Jayjay1976]

Anyone else interested in cereal killer stickers, hats, t-shirts?

 

[toddo97]

Anyone else interested in cereal killer stickers, hats, t-shirts?

A sticker for the hopper and a t-shirt sounds good. They should give swag out for referrals!

 

[beerbomb]

The only thing that is missing from the Cereal Killer is a nice big sticker of the package art to put on the hopper. Or on my bumper. Or on my forehead!

Oh, and we the people want some CK schwag. Seriously, I want a Cereal Killer T-shirt. I'll pay for it and everything, just make one.

EDIT: A CK trucker hat would be clutch.

CK should be paying you for the endorsement!

i just bought a cereal killer aswell, but unlike you guys it cost me $60, as i had a lot of points to use at AIH, So got a gift card and made the purchase, hopefully it will arrive in next couple of days

You can't beat that!

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

A sticker for the hopper and a t-shirt sounds good. They should give swag out for referrals!

This.

 

[Jayjay1976]

A sticker for the hopper and a t-shirt sounds good. They should give swag out for referrals!

I don't want anything for free! Well maybe they could toss a sticker in the box when you buy the mill, but I would pay for stickers and the t-shirt and trucker hat. Gotta represent, let people know I'm an all-grain brewer. I'd be rockin' my Cereal Killer schwag when I bring homebrew to parties and when people ask what it means I'll tell them all my beers start with sacks of whole malted barley, then I'd add "You can't make good beer without killing some grain!"