Speciality grains – crushing without a mill

[MikeSkril]

I have to crush 1 lb of Caramel 20 and I have not mill. I’ve tried a rolling pin (wood) but kernels are not crushed. I guess the kernel must be crushed, right? I have a coffee grinder (like a very small blender). Should I try this to crush?

Thanks!

 

[fuelish]

A rolling pin always worked for me for specialty grains....maybe you need a bigger rolling pin, not one of those tiny 1.5" diameter "housewife" pins? I have a big fat one, but then again, I was a baker for most of my working life

 

[Hello]

I would try the blender. Use the Pulse setting and perhaps the 'chop' setting (mine has a chop setting...stay away from liquify) and go slow. You can test the grinder vs the blender as well. That may be best.

 

[Psylocide]

I crush my entire grain bill in the blender. Since you're using a bag, you don't really have to worry about crushing too fine.

 

[MikeSkril]

Since you're using a bag, you don't really have to worry about crushing too fine.

Thats the other thing...I have a steeping bag but its too small. I found a bag of Cheesecloth at the local hardware store. I think that really small stuff will not stay in the cheesecloth, will it?

 

[k1ngl1ves]

A rolling pin always worked for me for specialty grains....maybe you need a bigger rolling pin, not one of those tiny 1.5" diameter "housewife" pins? I have a big fat one, but then again, I was a baker for most of my working life

I have a big fat one too! High Five!!!

 

[HomeDrewBrew]

So a blender or say food processor is ok for BIAB as long as its not to fine of crush?. What happens if its too fine taste wise in the beer?
Thanks

 

[JohnSand]

There is nearly no such thing as too fine for BIAB. While some flour may stay in the brew, it all settles out in the fermenter if not sooner. I also use a blender for all grinding. I just watch it chop until there are no more whole kernels. There is a limit on how much you can crush at once. Too much will not mix, too little will fly around in the pitcher. Try 1-2 cups at a time. That may seem slow, but the blender only takes seconds to go through each scoop. Mine is all crushed while the strike water heats.

 

[HomeDrewBrew]

There is nearly no such thing as too fine for BIAB. While some flour may stay in the brew, it all settles out in the fermenter if not sooner. I also use a blender for all grinding. I just watch it chop until there are no more whole kernels. There is a limit on how much you can crush at once. Too much will not mix, too little will fly around in the pitcher. Try 1-2 cups at a time. That may seem slow, but the blender only takes seconds to go through each scoop. Mine is all crushed while the strike water heats.

Ok,i gta try it! I do have both blender and food processor but no mill and i have a bulk grain buy coming soon 2 50lb bags of 2 row.
My co worker said he would crush for me but ill try it and see how my efficency is.
Thanks

 

[JohnSand]

Good luck, and let us know. There are only a few of us grinding in blenders, but I have read of no bad results.

 

[C-Rider]

I use a blender for my AG 2 gallon BIAB batches. Just the other day I turned 7 lbs to power in 10 minutes. Brew is fermenting wonderfully and I hit my numbers right on the head.

 

[MikeSkril]

Good luck, and let us know. There are only a few of us grinding in blenders, but I have read of no bad results.

The grinder worked well. I can only put 1/2 a cup at once and it takes 2 seconds. I would not crush more than 1 lb this way.
I'm sure a blender will do the same job.

 

[HomeDrewBrew]

I use a blender for my AG 2 gallon BIAB batches. Just the other day I turned 7 lbs to power in 10 minutes. Brew is fermenting wonderfully and I hit my numbers right on the head.

Would you be able to show a pic of how fine a crush you do of the grain for example please just so I have something to go by?!
I also do 2.5 gallon batches.
Thanks

 

[HomeDrewBrew]

Would you be able to show a pic of how fine a crush you do of the grain for example please just so I have something to go by?!
I also do 2.5 gallon batches.
Thanks

 

[Psylocide]

This netted me 75% efficiency on a 30 min mash... could've been finer yet.

 

[HomeDrewBrew]

Ok thanks alot! I will have to give it a whirl! I usually always get high efficiency with my mash,i stir every ten-15 though for 60mins.