Mill specialty grain?

[Steveruch]

If I'm doing an extract batch with a small amount of specialty grains do the grains need to be milled or can I steep them whole?

 

[IslandLizard]

They need to be milled, broken into small pieces, or you'll get 0.0 extraction.

You could use a grain mill, mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, food processor with sharp blade, perhaps blender, or put in a plastic bag and use hammer, dough roller, etc.

 

[JohnSand]

I've had success with a blender. It takes a bit of practice to find the sweet spot between grain tornado in the jar or won't all grind. Try two cups at a time.

 

[Brewernaut51]

Wish I'd heard food processor as a suggestion back when I was doing extract. I feel dumb, I tried a bunch of stupid stuff like a rolling pin or hammer among other things. Pain in the neck. My wife has a kickass processor that sat on the shelf the whole time...

 

[Steveruch]

I've got a grain mill, but it's still packed from the move.
I'm having to start over with extracts for a while and will probably add some specialty grains in the 2nd or 3rd go.

 

[kh54s10]

LHBS anywhere near that can mill it for you? Yes you do need to crack the hulls of the specialty malts. I have been using a $20 corona style mill for 7+ years. On Amazon they are listed as corn mills. FWIW. I have used specialty grains in all my extract brews. I believe it adds a lot over extracts only.

 

[IslandLizard]

I've got a grain mill, but it's still packed from the move.

Time to unpack it!