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Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:29 pm
by BigRig
So I'm still fairly new to AG brewing, and have been purchasing my grain all milled. However I'm going to take the plunge and buy a mill. My question is, should I buy a cheaper one that is already preset to .045 or should I drop the extra bucks for one that is adjustable? Do different grains require different crushes for better conversions? I guess of all my searching I've never really come across anything that says exactly.
At this point I'm up in the air about buying a small counter top mount with hand crank for 70ish, or spend double that on one of the Millar Barley Crushers with 7lb hopper or similar. I typically do two batches a month, but don't want to end up with something I'm not happy with. So I'm open to any recommendations/suggestions.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:32 pm
by mr x
I have been happy with my motorized Crankenstein, but I believe guys are also quite happy with the nonadjustable ones as well.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:37 pm
by BigRig
Yes, I've been looking at those on beergrains.com, and have put some thought into it. I do however live close to the border and can have stuff sent to Houlton, ME for pickup. Still going to be over 100 for a good one no matter how I slice it. I like to buy in Canada if possible though.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:32 pm
by bluenose
my $0.02, if you plan on using it for awhile, then get a crankandstein
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:36 pm
by amartin
Mine is adjustable, but I've only ever used a different setting once, when I was using raw wheat. I'm not doing that again.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:50 pm
by Tony L
No question. Buy a roller mill and the best you can afford.
I went with a Barley Crusher which I later motorized.
You can see it here
http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... 1&start=25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:08 pm
by Araxi
I also have the Barley Crusher which I motorized, very happy with it.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:26 pm
by HotBreak
Motorized Crankandstein- You won't be sorry.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:45 pm
by CorneliusAlphonse
got an adjustable crankandstein, still using a drill, but it works great. haven't really fiddled with the adjustment... yet
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:30 pm
by Graham.C
CorneliusAlphonse wrote:got an adjustable crankandstein, still using a drill, but it works great. haven't really fiddled with the adjustment... yet
Same. Love it.
Re: Grain mill question?
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:18 am
by BigRig
Yup, I'm definitely leaning towards a roller mill. But do the different crush sizes maximize efficiency for different grains? I've heard not a good enough crush brings your efficiency down. And naturally you don't want to crush into flour or to fine so you end up with a stuck sparge.
I better have another beer, I got all these things going on up in my brain compartment.
