I have been having problems with my motorized Barley Crusher

[BrewBeemer]

I got an email on Friday from BC. I'm posting it so in case anyone has a silimar problem they can try it.

"Thank you for your email, A couple things I would suggest to try is to take a wire brush to the rollers.This will remove any residue that may have built up over past batches.You can also try to take the mill apart and give it a good cleaning. ( no water) try wiping the end of the rollers and the side plates off and reassembling the mill. If the knurl on the roller is starting to get dull they tend to dull more on one side than the other. So spinning the roller around will give that roller a somewhat fresh knurl.

This all sounds like the mill operates on the ragged edge of working properly with the idler roller turning on its own, splitting hairs here or what? Manufacture holding your hand wishing you to go away with their feeble fix advice, sounds like it to me.
Critical of products on the market competing for your money, you bet. JMO's.

 

[B-Dub]

If the knurl on the roller is starting to get dull they tend to dull more on one side than the other. So spinning the roller around will give that roller a somewhat fresh knurl.

It seems like the rollers are bunk and they don't want to fix the problem.


BW

 

[TripleHopped]

I do not notice any wear on the knurl of the rollers. I used an air nozzle from my air compressor and blew any dust off of the rollers first. I did not try using it after that, but I did not notice any real significant visual difference after doing so. There was some dust build up on the bottom of the mill, just not any real noticeable build up on the rollers themselves. I did notice that the main roller (the one for hooking up to a drill) that there was some horizontal play in it before I took it apart and cleaned it. I did find some residue dust in between the ends of the rollers and the side plates, so I cleaned that off. When I put it back together the main roller does not have the horizontal play in it now.

I can't say anything bad about the BC mill or the Manufacturer of it. They did respond back to me with a possible solution to the problem. The test of this possible fix will be on Friday when I run my grains through it.

If it doesn't work then all I have to do is let him know by email, but I'm not anticipating any problems.

"If after you try these things and if you are still having problems please email me and we will see what we can do to get your mill back to the way it should be."

With this line of his email it sounds like a manufacturer that is standing behind his product.

I can't ask anything of this product that I don't expect of any other product that I use for brewing. After all I have to clean my mash tun, kegs and carboys after every use.

If it takes a little TLC cleaning every once in a while to get it back up to speed then that is what it will take.

 

[BrewBeemer]

It seems like the rollers are bunk and they don't want to fix the problem.
BW

B-Dub; your reply above sounds like your looking into a MM3-2, careful as I have a damaged lemon of a MM3-2 shipped to me. My options told to me by MM was to keep it and be on my own repairing it myself or send it back and get my money back, NO EXCHANGE REPLACEMENT! What a way to run a business considering I received a new in box mill in this condition. Careful what you wish for. Best of luck.

 

[bja]

I can't say anything bad about the BC mill or the Manufacturer of it. They did respond back to me with a possible solution to the problem. The test of this possible fix will be on Friday when I run my grains through it.

If it doesn't work then all I have to do is let him know by email, but I'm not anticipating any problems.

Like I said in a previous post, I am having the same problems as you. Two weeks ago I took mine apart, cleaned, oiled and reassembled as was suggested to you. Last week I used it and there was very little, if any improvement. Like you I saw no wear on the knurled rollers.

 

[B-Dub]

B-Dub; your reply above sounds like your looking into a MM3-2, careful as I have a damaged lemon of a MM3-2 shipped to me. My options told to me by MM was to keep it and be on my own repairing it myself or send it back and get my money back, NO EXCHANGE REPLACEMENT! What a way to run a business considering I received a new in box mill in this condition. Careful what you wish for. Best of luck.

Sounds like a bad way to do business.

I thought that a 3 roller mill with a larger initial gap would get rid of some of the stalling problems with grain of different sizes. Also the speed would increase.

JSP with gear driven second roller? http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-equipment/all-grain-equipment/grain-mills

Still looking for the perfect fit.

BW

 

[BrewBeemer]

B-Dub; note the MM3 3 roller mill only has 1 1/2" diameter rollers vs MM3-2 with 2" rollers price difference reflects also.

 

[B-Dub]

B-Dub; note the MM3 3 roller mill only has 1 1/2" diameter rollers vs MM3-2 with 2" rollers price difference reflects also.

This is the one I have been drooling over. http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/mm-320.html Sized up with SS rollers! I just want milling grain to be the last thing I think about on brew day.

When I brew a Triple and Quad on the same day that can be upwards of 65 pounds of grain. Might be to much to ask of the BC.

BW

 

[BrewBeemer]

B-Dub; read the specs below on 303 stainless used in the MM "upgrade" vs the hardened steel roller model. Using 303 is easy to machine.
http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=2866

With my MM3-2 after going thru it correcting problems I had the rollers hardened at a friends commercial business, I bet they will outlast MM's stainless roller option on the knurlings plus has a higher Rc hardness.
They went thru multi step different gases and temps process.
Bushing clearance is what the standard delivered 841 oilite bushing
bore is of 0.375" vs the final journal diameters be it down to 0.0368"
before polishing out the machined sharp points like a record catching
a finger nail. This leaves you with a sloppy bushing to journal clearances
right out of the box brand new, I found this on my MM3-2 mill. replacing the
bushing with 5/16" ID bore then reaming to fit the already undersized journals
made for tighter journal clearances. I had to custom ream each bushing as all rollers had different journal diameters not counting the 0.500" drive journal.
For the added price difference you can get the standard MM3-2, detail the journals, roller ends yourself then pay to have them hardened and still be money ahead, $349 is rather large chunk of money.
At this amount of money I would like to see sealed ball bearings with 5mm HTD drive so all three rollers are powered. JMO on how a mill should be manufactured. Another mill manufacture has larger rollers supported by sealed ball bearings, it's the dry geared together rollers that screams wearout failure my opinion long before the knurling wears away.

 

[B-Dub]

BrewBeemer.

Wow! Thanks for filling us in on all the work you did. My buddy is a machinist and since we live on the coast he was pushing the SS rollers. That way he wouldn't have to harden them for me!

Another mill manufacture has larger rollers supported by sealed ball bearings

Who are you referring to?

At this amount of money I would like to see sealed ball bearings with 5mm HTD drive so all three rollers are powered. JMO on how a mill should be manufactured.

I could not agree more. So far the JSP is the only mill that has both rollers powered. On Boathouse Brewing's web page they go through 35 pounds in 2 min! It looks like a JSP and I emailed them to find out.

So after all that work who do you think builds the better mill out of the box?

 

[BrewBeemer]

D-Dub, PM sent.

 

[bja]

I do not notice any wear on the knurl of the rollers. I used an air nozzle from my air compressor and blew any dust off of the rollers first. I did not try using it after that, but I did not notice any real significant visual difference after doing so. There was some dust build up on the bottom of the mill, just not any real noticeable build up on the rollers themselves. I did notice that the main roller (the one for hooking up to a drill) that there was some horizontal play in it before I took it apart and cleaned it. I did find some residue dust in between the ends of the rollers and the side plates, so I cleaned that off. When I put it back together the main roller does not have the horizontal play in it now.

I can't say anything bad about the BC mill or the Manufacturer of it. They did respond back to me with a possible solution to the problem. The test of this possible fix will be on Friday when I run my grains through it.

If it doesn't work then all I have to do is let him know by email, but I'm not anticipating any problems.

"If after you try these things and if you are still having problems please email me and we will see what we can do to get your mill back to the way it should be."

With this line of his email it sounds like a manufacturer that is standing behind his product.

I can't ask anything of this product that I don't expect of any other product that I use for brewing. After all I have to clean my mash tun, kegs and carboys after every use.

If it takes a little TLC cleaning every once in a while to get it back up to speed then that is what it will take.

Did it work any better?

I e-mailed them about my problem (same as yours) on Monday 7/19, and as of today Friday 7/23 have not recieved a response.

I had disassembled mine, cleand, oiled and adjusted everything before I last used it. Still no improvement. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

What's the price of scrap up to these days?

 

[user 15951]

I've been having this problem for the last couple years. when i tried to take it apart the first time, the head of the screw that keeps the side plate on broke off, rendering it useless. they did replace the mill, but the problems started again soon after that. my remedy thus far has been to pour in the grain a few pounds at a time. kinda makes that extra money i spent on the 15# a bit of a waste.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Did it work any better?

I e-mailed them about my problem (same as yours) on Monday 7/19, and as of today Friday 7/23 have not recieved a response.

I had disassembled mine, cleand, oiled and adjusted everything before I last used it. Still no improvement. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

What's the price of scrap up to these days?

This is all good information my electrician tool partner now retiring is getting into home brewing because my brewing. He has eliminated this mill purchase from reading all these posted problems. All bad exposure for the manufacture, good for us brewers. He said thanks for the postings.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I have a JSP MaltMill. The rollers are gear driven and hardened.

I am very happy with it to this point. Hopefully it will holdup for the long run.

 

[BrewBeemer]

I have a JSP MaltMill. The rollers are gear driven and hardened.
I am very happy with it to this point. Hopefully it will holdup for the long run.

Now that's comforting for those with only a idler roller that stops, LOL!

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I have a JSP MaltMill. The rollers are gear driven and hardened.

I am very happy with it to this point. Hopefully it will holdup for the long run.

Now that's comforting for those with only a idler roller that stops, LOL!

My post was not intended to cause discomfort to those that are having problems with their Barley Crusher, but rather to offer an alternative to those that are looking for a mill.

 

[BrewBeemer]

My post was not intended to cause discomfort to those that are having problems with their Barley Crusher, but rather to offer an alternative to those that are looking for a mill.

Ouch, ouch LOL!

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Ouch, ouch LOL!

BrewBeemer... I'm glad you got the humor
I'm also glad you left the comment out of your quote and I edited my original post to remove it also. It was truly intended as humor and for your benefit. I don't want others to get the wrong idea, so I think its best it just goes away

Cheers.

 

[BrewBeemer]

hey no worries i'm not the type that twists words around and goes on the defense with replies, i'm a prankster in real life. Life's for fun and laughter.
I can handle replies to my harsh reparks, it's just me. Prosit.

 

[B-Dub]

I want a case hardened JSP gear driven mill now.

I am just say'n!

BW

 

[BrewBeemer]

B-Dub; a recent PM sent to me i'll forward to your PM.
I ran across an article where a 3 roller mill manufacture stated
a stainless rollers knurling lasts as long as a standard knurled roller.
You can narrow this down to two manufactures.
Not in these exact words but stated a comparison.
I shall locate this statement and post as this proves the extra
expense of stainless rollers is a waste of money unless your after
rust free rollers. I'm near saltwater also like under 900' away with
no light rust or hazing problems.

 

[bja]

I recieved a reply from BC Products on Saturday. It's word for word the same as the reply LiquidGold recieved. Obviously this happens often enough that they put together a standard reply that is sent to everyone with this problem.

The one thing that the reply suggests, and that I haven't tried yet is to turn the roller end for end. I'll try that before I take any other action.

I'm assuming LiquidGold hasn't tried his yet since he hasn't updated us.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Run it backwards and make grain from the crush.

 

[B-Dub]

So I have been looking in a different direction for my new mill.

http://www.crankandstein.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5

The pro line of the crankandstein look really nice. My only hesitation lays in the fact that neither one has a gear driven second roller.

Come one.....you know you what one!!!

BW

 

[Hoppocrates]

So my BC was not working either. I disassembled it, cleaned it, rotated it, and more. Still not working. Then I decided to widen to gap setting. Voila! Working like a charm again.....

 

[bja]

So my BC was not working either. I disassembled it, cleaned it, rotated it, and more. Still not working. Then I decided to widen to gap setting. Voila! Working like a charm again.....

What do you have the gap set to, and what was it before? Mine is currently .032" and it's not working, but that's what it's been for 2 years and it worked fine until a few months ago.

 

[BeerPressure]

I swear that I've read they do not recommend belt-driven power for this mill.

 

[Hoppocrates]

Mine was stupidly small, like 0.015

 

[bja]

Mine was stupidly small, like 0.015

OK, but what do you have it set to now?