19 replies to this topic

[Brian72]

anyone use one of these at all? Was looking at them for short order grain milling like specialty malts and whatnot.

[djinkc]

I have no experience with this one but for that price I would forget the kitchenaid

 

https://www.homebrew...ill_p_2310.html

[Brian72]

I saw that to but it's more than I need. My base malts I can buy already crushed and bagged. This is just for specialty malts for small batches..

[positiveContact]

I saw that to but it's more than I need. My base malts I can buy already crushed and bagged. This is just for specialty malts for small batches..

 

I'm not sure how it's more than you need - it's about the same price but it will work better for your application and you'll be able to run appreciable amounts of grain through in the future.

[Brian72]

I was just thinking with the kitchenaid I could use it for non brewing applications as well. Plus it's a smaller item to store.

[denny]

Small capacity, too fine a crush for brewing, and it puts such a load on your mixer that I've heard of people burning out the motor when they mill very much grain.  It';s intended to make small amounts of flour, not to mill grain for brewing.

[Brian72]

Small capacity, too fine a crush for brewing, and it puts such a load on your mixer that I've heard of people burning out the motor when they mill very much grain. It';s intended to make small amounts of flour, not to mill grain for brewing.

Thanks

[positiveContact]

good point from denny - it would really suck to ruin your kitchen aid from doing this.

[Brian72]

good point from denny - it would really suck to ruin your kitchen aid from doing this.

Yeah that was the answer I was looking for, really. How about a corona mill?Looking through the recipe section it looks like even specialty grains on those imperial beers can run a few pounds....

[denny]

Yeah that was the answer I was looking for, really.How about a corona mill?Looking through the recipe section it looks like even specialty grains on those imperial beers can run a few pounds....

 

If you don't want to spend money on a real mill and only need to crush a bit of grain, you can make a Corona work.

[Brian72]

If you don't want to spend money on a real mill and only need to crush a bit of grain, you can make a Corona work.

LOL the way that reads makes the corona look like quite a that to get to work. Are they that much of a pain?

[positiveContact]

what are the important factors here?

 

how much do you want to spend?

 

is the size a big constraint?

[Brian72]

I didn't want to spend a hell of a lot right away, let's say that. Size isn't as big a deal as I let in earlier but I'd like to keep this somewhat compact and not have to dedicate a whole closet to equipment alone again. If everything turns out as planned i don't mind investing in necessary gear but I'd like to get up a running on the cheap and go from there. Make sense?

[matt6150]

I think I would wait and purchase a real mill if the time comes. For now just plan ahead a couple brews and either order the specialty grains precrushed or get them from a LHBS crushed. I did this all the time before I bought a mill. Should keep just fine for a couple months sealed up and dry.

[Brian72]

I think I would wait and purchase a real mill if the time comes. For now just plan ahead a couple brews and either order the specialty grains precrushed or get them from a LHBS crushed. I did this all the time before I bought a mill. Should keep just fine for a couple months sealed up and dry.

Hell, I'll just do that then. I didnt realize the crushed grains would keep that long....

[denny]

LOL the way that reads makes the corona look like quite a that to get to work. Are they that much of a pain?

 

In my experience, yes, at least that much of a pain.

[BarelyBrews]

I used my Corona for 2 or 3 years . It held around 2 lbs if i remember, and works well with a drill. Now it just collects dust.

 

 

 

As long as i'm editing for Spelign, i might add it was better than the rolling pin method for cracking grains.

Edited by Kegdude, 04 December 2014 - 03:43 PM.

[djinkc]

The Corona I had back in the 80s is resting peacefully somewhere in a landfill.  Served its' purpose for a while.  And then I couldn't give it away when I started again.

[Genesee Ted]

I would suggest buying a proper mill or doing it at your LHBS.  You must not be too concerned about your grain going bad if you are buying precrushed, so the specialties shouldn't be any different.  Not how I would prefer, but I am sure it is fine.  That being said, if you are ordering sacks, you will pay a fee for crushed usually.  Apply those savings to your own mill.  They really aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of things.  I got mine about 10 years ago and it still works perfectly.  

[denny]

I'll point out that one other pitfall of ordering pre crushed grain is that the flour falls to the bottom and the husks stay on top.  You need some way to make sure it's mixed before using it.