My Ugly Junk- Corona Mill Station...

[Beernik]

Bought my grains today.

My first try with the mill and I was getting a lot of millet or couscous sized particles, no husks.

This is a pic of my second attempt. It's definitely less husk than when I had it milled at the LHBS. Should I loosen it up more for BIAB?

 

[1977Brewer]

Bought my grains today.

My first try with the mill and I was getting a lot of millet or couscous sized particles, no husks.

This is a pic of my second attempt. It's definitely less husk than when I had it milled at the LHBS. Should I loosen it up more for BIAB?

I mill mine to 0 whole grains, regardless of shredded husk or flour content. You aren't going to get the perfect little malt nuggets like a roller mill.

 

[lowtones84]

That looks like a pretty good crush to me. You could probably even do a touch tighter, but I bet you'll do fine with that.

 

[Beernik]

Thanks.

I'll play with it some tomorrow night and see if I can find something between my first and second trial.

 

[Beernik]

Had some extra time this morning.

Left bowl is what I posted last night.

Right bowl is tightening the plate screw a half turn.

 

[1977Brewer]

Right side should be perfect for BIAB. Be prepared for ridiculous efficiency increase over your LHBS crush.

 

[Beernik]

Awesome!

I was nailing 66% efficiency with the LBHS mill. It's been a long source of frustration. I'm also thinking of moving to a pour over sparge with this beer.

The beer I'm doing this weekend, I gave myself some wiggle room. It's 5.1% & 26 IBUs at 66% efficiency. It's 6.2% & 24 IBUs at 80% efficiency.

Follow up question: would the left bowl work for a HERMS with a false bottom or would I need to loosen it more than that? I'm asking because that's my long term goal.

 

[Beernik]

Well my pre-boil Gravity was only 2 points higher than expected with 66% efficiency. However, I think I collected about an extra gallon with my pour over sparge and squeezing the crap out of it.

So I've extended my boil by 15 minutes. I guess the proof will be in what gravity and volume come out of the boil.

EDIT:

I was right. I ended up with 9.5 gallons of beer at 1.053 instead of 8 gallons at 1.055 like I was planning.

So I think my actual efficiency was somewhere around 80%.

Because BrewPal won't let me edit the grain adsorption default, I've had to change my settings to an efficiency to 72% and a boil off rate of 9% in order for it to match my volumes and OGs for this brew.

Weird. But it works.

 

[fishcrazy06]

Okay I spent almost one half day reading through all 187 pages of this thread. I will have to say I am sold. I am just getting into all grain and will be fly-sparging with a false bottom. Anyone here have a similar setup and use this mill? It is this setup:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...ntial-all-grain-brewing-starter-kit-10-gallon

 

[wilserbrewer]

I think most choose to batxh sparge for simplicity and overall pretty good effectiveness. I would suggest getting your feet wet batch sparging, then try fly if you want...
Jmo

 

[sloanfamilydsm]

imho, fly sparging is easier than batch sparging. After the first vorlaugh(sp) just slow down the flow and match it with the hlt's incoming water. Check in on it after 20 min. , adjusting as needed. The kitchen colander rocks for dispersing water

 

[sloanfamilydsm]

Let's get this thread back on track
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1440370413.973269.jpg

 

[wilserbrewer]

What type of flexy drill attachment is that?

 

[TastyAdventure]

I brewed my second batch with this mill yesterday. Both of these batches I have had a very minor stuck sparge. Nothing I couldn't fix by stirring up the mash, vorlaufing, and running again, but still a nuisance...
My efficiency has gone up about 2-3% compared to running grain through the LHBS twice

 

[signpost]

I brewed my second batch with this mill yesterday. Both of these batches I have had a very minor stuck sparge. Nothing I couldn't fix by stirring up the mash, vorlaufing, and running again, but still a nuisance...
My efficiency has gone up about 2-3% compared to running grain through the LHBS twice

I was having some stuck sparges for a few batches. Then I backed off the crush just a bit and my most recent batch was much better without losing any efficiency. Another thing that has helped is not opening the valve on the mash tun too quickly. I just ease it open and let it run for a few minutes before opening it further to speed up the flow.

 

[TastyAdventure]

Thanks signpost

 

[colby_cheeze]

This long thread inspired me. I recently moved to a town where there isn't a homebrew supply store or within a reasonable driving distance. Since I am going to have to buy all of my supplies online, I decided that I need to start buying in bulk, and also crush my own grain (which I used to do at my local homebrew store).

I'm cheap, so I didn't want to drop $200 on a rolling mill. Once I saw this thread, I realized I could spend a lot less on a Corona mill, and spend the savings on other equipment. Here's my setup:





The stand is a Black & Decker Workmate 225 that I bought from Menards for ~$60. The funnel/pipe that lead to the bucket below is a [brand new] sewer pipe 6" to 4" reducer and a 4" pipe. I used some clear PVC primer and cement to bond those pieces together. The Workmate boards are holding the pipe in place. The Corona mill fits just over top of the funnel. I expanded the hopper by using a 6" to 5" ductwork reducer that I taped on top of the original hopper. It holds approximately 5 lbs of malt. Eventually I will get the mill set up to be driven by my drill, but for my first time using it yesterday I did it the old fashioned way. It took less than 10 minutes. I did add one washer on each side to widen the gap on the mill. I was happy with the crush. It was very consistent.

The batched that I brewed yesterday using this new mill was a wheat that I brewed with the BIAB method. I got 75% brewery efficiency, which I'm happy with.

All together my milling setup cost approximately $100. In addition, I got a new workbench out of it that I can use for projects other than homebrewing.

 

[noggins]

Thanks for all the great ideas, I just slapped mine together using an old brewing bucket and some 2x6, and a gallon apple juice container for the hopper.

 

[Nivekt]

Thanks for all the great ideas, I just slapped mine together using an old brewing bucket and some 2x6, and a gallon apple juice container for the hopper.

I used the exact same juice jug to extend the size of my hopper. I used Gorilla glue to glue it to the metal and its holding great even though the glue advises against use for polypropylene.

 

[ballsy]

Decided to pull the trigger and join the "elite" haha. Corona mill ordered. After all, it costs the same amt as getting my car washed once!

 

[poptarts]

Hey you don't have to make it ugly.

View attachment 1450585562611.jpg

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Hey guys got a Corona for Xmas. Not sure how/if I should proceed or if I should go with a barley crusher for $100. Tips? Any maintenance needed? Convince me to keep the corona!

Have ~24 hours to decide as I'm in another state and am leaving soon to go back.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I wouldn't trade my corona for a brand new BC for free. Plenty of bad press on the BC from unsatisfied owners. Corona mill owners satisfaction much higher IMO.

 

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

Plus 89 for corona.

 

[1977Brewer]

Corona every time, until you get up to the high end triple roller mills.

 

[estricklin]

I wouldn't trade mine for a $100 mill no way. This thing is a hog, crushed thousands of pounds by now, and just keeps on going. The few improvements were cheap, and super easy.

 

[signpost]

Hey guys got a Corona for Xmas. Not sure how/if I should proceed or if I should go with a barley crusher for $100. Tips? Any maintenance needed? Convince me to keep the corona!

Have ~24 hours to decide as I'm in another state and am leaving soon to go back.

Corona mill + bucket + utility knife + scrap of wood + a little spare time = a very effective, long-lasting, adjustable, and lovable grain mill.

Keep the corona.

 

[spunxter]

Thx everyone for the build and inspiration! Heres my ugly junk -View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451441343.408780.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451441360.491382.jpg

 

[phug]

I have to put together my build after I dial in the crush.

 

[phug]

Looking for some feedback on the crush for biab. This is the mill with no adjustments other than tightening until you can barely crank it and ten backing off a hair until you can actually turn the crank with some ease.View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451496759.971797.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1451496783.216198.jpg and for what it's worth rice does not behave the same as malt in the thing at all