Is this what Crushed Grains are supposed to look like?

[lurker18]

After the first pics in the bag, I would have said the grain might have been cracked, like they do for animal feed. Just open it up so the digestive enzymes can get to work, but don't make powder. But the second set of pics looks like whole grain for sure, you can clearly see whole kernels that are not even scratched. Very, very poor milling, probably not passed through a mill at all.
Hope everything worked out in the end.

 

[EricCSU]

I need to examine this grain for further evaluation. Please mail it to me, along with all the other ingredients for this recipe. I will email you back in 6-8 weeks with results.

Thanks.

Eric

 

[BrookdaleBrew]

Last night I checked some milled grain that I had gotten from AHS just to see what I had been working with. It is definitely crushed (unlike the midwest grain) but it's definitely not as fine of a crush as some of the examples posted in this thread.

 

[CortexBomb]

This is an extremely useful thread. I shop at Midwest and do PM batches, and I didn't realize that most folks used more heavily milled grains in their batches. That would explain why my efficiency was lower than I'd hoped for.

A grain mill is definitely on my shopping list as a result of this, but in the interim it's time to pull out the rolling pin.

 

[Zamial]

Hello.
I just wanted to post this link to a DIY project that uses a $20.00 pasta maker and turns it into a grain mill. I have not done this yet but plan to in the future.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/using-pasta-maker-mill-grain-75784/

of course you can still buy a grain mill...

 

[Hang Glider]

Uncrushed and Crushed.
However, for an Extract brewer, using grains for steeping - color and flavor, (grains already converted) - a lighter crush is fine. Converting a base malt during partial mash or all-grain requires the better crush (obviously).

 

[CortexBomb]

I just wanted to offer some final thanks to the people who started and contributed to this thread. I had a huge gain in efficiency yesterday when I took a rolling pin to my Midwest milled grain prior to using it.

Huge protein layer and nice gravity that was a couple of points higher than I was expecting.

 

[weirdboy]

It's been maybe a year ago or so, but the last time I got some equipment from Midwest, I got some kind of deal on an AG kit from them at the same time and ended up getting around 70% efficiency on that batch according to my notes in Beersmith. I don't really remember what the crush looked like...

 

[lumpher]

glad to hear some people could be of help. i'm fermenting a coffee stout right now, and i learned how to make it here

 

[802VermontHomebrew]

looks like the steeping grains that were in my amber ale kit from midwest... I too got a bag that looked identical to yours... mine were crushed also, the brown grain in the last picture is what got crushed... I just took a rolling pin from the kitchen and beat it a little bit more. I think they are fine to use and will be great with your batch your making. keep us posted on the results!

 

[winterparkmg]

Anyone have follow-up information on this issue? Im just trying to get good information so i know what to expect. I just ordered five AG kits from Midwest and shipped them to Italy. I am curious of they have adjusted their customer service and/or mill in the year that followed this issue.

I will report back when I receive my kits with photos. Out of five kits, most of which have large base malt contents, I think I will be getting a good idea of their milling fidelity.

Over here in an FPO area code, it is difficult to get companies to ship grain and alcohol supplies, so options are limited. Midwest seems to work with the shipping and prices are good.

Any thoughts on company alternatives in case things don't work out this time around?

Did Midwest ever reply to the email about this thread?

I will post pictures in a few weeks of all the base malts.

~William

 

[Vance71975]

I ordered my specialty grains from Midwest crushed, and they came like this, supposedly crushed; but, are they really crushed?

My last kit was also with crushed grains and they looked similar. I should have asked the question then, but forgot. Just wanna make sure I'm getting what I'm supposed to be getting.

Yes

 

[winterparkmg]

Yeah,
I read that. I didn't create a new thread since this one already addressed the issue,, hence my post within. My question specifically addresses post numbers 1, 48, 60, and 70. I'm asking if in the last year since this thread has been active, people have received better milled grains from Midwest or if the company has responded directly to product quality assurance concerns via email or other correspondence.

I apologize if this was not clear. Either way, the point is moot as in a few weeks I will see for myself. I just wanted to see if i had to make a homebuilt mill or not.

Thanks for the help.

~Wm

 

[puter]

I'm asking if in the last year since this thread has been active, people have received better milled grains from Midwest...

Not really. I have used two extract kits from Midwest and both have looked like the OP's pictures.

 

[IXVolt]

As mentioned earlier in this thread...

These are specialty grains. They are not mashed, they are steeped. As such if you grind the heck out of them it will be hard to keep them in the grainbag due to the small particles. You don't want to have the husks in the boil b/c of tannins. However the finer crush the more sugars can be extracted during the boil. So there's a balance. Would I want my grains crushed finer?

If I was doing extract brewing, I would want them crushed more than that. Just get out your rolling pin....