Grain Mill Question

[cpsmusic]

Hi Folks,

In an effort to reduce my AG brewing costs I'd like to start buying my base malt in larger quantities (as it's about half the price from G&G). ATM, I order on a per recipe basis but obviously if I bought a 20 kg bag of JWM ale malt things would work out cheaper.

To do this I need to get a grain mill. Just wondering what people's thoughts are on these:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CORONA-Grain-Mill-H...=item3a640b383f

I'm only doing 20 litre batches so I'm usually looking at 4-5 kg of base malt per batch.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[cdbrown]

Not used it, but have seen plenty of people on US forums that use them.

 

[seemax]

Few people on here using them with success. I've seen them around for cheaper though, $70 odd.

If you're spending that much.... might as well go proper job and get a monster mill or similar especially with the dollar at 1.10 now.

Or there is the cheaper marga mill, few 2nd hand ones about ... or even the KegKing maltmuncher.

 

[QldKev]

A few years ago people on here did use them, when the $ was poor

But with todays $
Basic mill for $113 posted, which will ok but just.

Import a real mill MM2
http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/products_main.html
$USD117 + $USD48 = $USD165 = $AUD154

OR if you get 2 mills in with someone local you pay half the postage each
$USD117 + $USD24 = $141USD = $AUD131


QldKev

 

[cpsmusic]

A few years ago people on here did use them, when the $ was poor

But with todays $
Basic mill for $113 posted, which will ok but just.

Import a real mill MM2
http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/products_main.html
$USD117 + $USD48 = $USD165 = $AUD154

OR if you get 2 mills in with someone local you pay half the postage each
$USD117 + $USD24 = $141USD = $AUD131


QldKev

Do I need some extra stuff to get this working (hopper, handle, etc.)?

 

[QldKev]

Do I need some extra stuff to get this working (hopper, handle, etc.)?

Yep,
If you want something prefab they sell a base and hopper for $US40, and handle $USD23; you would need to check on that site about postage.

For mine I built a base and hopper setup from bits from Bunnings for about $20. This setup also has storage etc.

Then you could easily build a handle/arm setup for it, or use a drill to power it. Later on for a bit over $100 you could then setup a DC motor and mount it permanantly. (there is some info on my web site, ref my sig) Also have a have a search on here as there is plenty of info on this mill.


QldKev

edit: Here is the thread where I build my basic hopper
http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...showtopic=32483

 

[jimmyjackpot]

Do I need some extra stuff to get this working (hopper, handle, etc.)?

I got an MM2 recently and got the hopper and handle as well. I would definitely recommend getting the hopper but you could leave the handle out if you want to save a few bucks. I got the handle as backup in case my drill carks it half way through a milling session.

 

[pimpsqueak]

Hi Folks,

In an effort to reduce my AG brewing costs I'd like to start buying my base malt in larger quantities (as it's about half the price from G&G). ATM, I order on a per recipe basis but obviously if I bought a 20 kg bag of JWM ale malt things would work out cheaper.

To do this I need to get a grain mill. Just wondering what people's thoughts are on these:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CORONA-Grain-Mill-H...=item3a640b383f

I'm only doing 20 litre batches so I'm usually looking at 4-5 kg of base malt per batch.

Cheers,

Chris

If you're going to go for that one, wait a bit and keep an eye on it because he occaisionally knocks 5-10% off the price.

 

[cpsmusic]

If you're going to go for that one, wait a bit and keep an eye on it because he occaisionally knocks 5-10% off the price.

Thanks for the tip :icon_cheers:

 

[cpsmusic]

What about one of these:

http://schmidling.com/maltmill.htm

BTW, as I'm only doing small batches I don't need anything motorised (plus I could do with the exercise!).

 

[HoppingMad]

Got one myself. Works a treat and recommend.

Pros:
They're cheap, they don't require any add-ons (just a bucket under a bench or a baking tray on a saw horse) and they'll give you nice muscley arms that will be a hit with the ladies. Gets the job done and the milling gap is easy to adjust for different grain types for getting a fine or less fine crush. The lack of motor means they are quieter.

Cons:
They don't look as sexy in your brew shed, slow to crush upwards of 8kg of grain (anything that is a double batch portion - you get a real workout doing those). A motorised mill with a drill or motor will save you a chunk of time. Spoke to John at G&G once about Coronas when he asked what I use and he claimed that a roller mill will give you a much better efficiency. I find I've had no probs with efficiency but I reckon he's probably right that I would get better efficiency. Beer book authors like John Palmer also claim the discs on a corona twist grain rather than crushing properly which can create astringency, but I haven't had a problem like this at all - and I get a crush comparable to a roller I reckon, it just takes me longer. Other brewing authors like Dave Miller actually recommend them, and many backyard brewers have been using these mills for decades.

Up to you, but this is a fine starting point that will give you a solid result. $99 though does seem expensive for a mill of this kind though. Many sell for $60-$80 secondhand. If you can spend around $100 then possibly you should step up to a roller as you can get some for around $120.

Hopper.

 

[chiller]

I have this one [ http://schmidling.com/maltmill.htm ] but any of the purpose designed mills will work well. The corona style will work [slowly] but you can do much better.

 

[beerbog]

+1 for the monster mill. Definately worth it with the dollar the way it is....... :beerbang:

 

[manticle]

I've been using a corona for a couple of years. I got mine for around $50 though so if you are looking upward of $100, you might look at something better.

I have another mill and various bits for motorising (future project) but until then the corona does fine. No astringency, efficiency consistent and good enough for me (~70%), easily adjusted and a good workout for brewdays. When I motorise the other, I will keep my trusty corona for back-up/emergency.

 

[argon]

i recently bought an MM2. Cost $157AU delivered. First use was yesterday. I just found some scrap piece of MDF and a water cooler bottle that was"laying around" at work. Took me all of about 30mins to set it up. I have it underslung off the mdf sitting on a bucket with a small hole in it to let the shaft stick out. The water cooler bottle (with it's ass cut out) then sits in a hole i cut in the mdf. With the drill attached it took about 5-10 mins to crush 9kg. Worked a charm. So essentially payed $0 for the hopper and base.

 

[raven19]

+3 for the MM2.

Here is my Hopper build linky. Many others have done similar ones too.

I used a cordless drill atm, with plans one day of motorising mine.

 

[felten]

Agreed it isn't worth it for 110 bucks, you might as well get one of the US mills like kev said.

I use a crankandstein 2d with DIY Baseplate/Hopper and DIY handle, it works a treat. The mill was ~$150 in a bulk buy, the rest was probably around $20 from bunnings (handle was free).

 

[pimpsqueak]

I have this one [ http://schmidling.com/maltmill.htm ] but any of the purpose designed mills will work well. The corona style will work [slowly] but you can do much better.

Did you get the barebones and build the rest yourself?
I see there are pre-adjusted, adjustable one end and adjustable at both ends options. Any real reason to spend the extra $$$ over the pre-adjusted one?

 

[pdilley]

The LHBS in Canberra uses a schmidling mill which works just fine for his purposes.

He said if it ever wears out he may look at a mill master but he has been running fine so far on the schmidling.

Cheers,
Brewer Pete

 

[SpillsMostOfIt]

I bought the cheapest Crankandstein 2-roller mill a while ago (for USD76+post) and am very happy. It has shorter rollers than many, making it easier to turn and therefore motorise - I'm currently using my Ozito 14.4V Li drill, but my old Ozito 18V drill will happily turn it on 12V. I don't think I will need to use the chain/sprocket set I bought to increase the applied torque.

Lesson: The longer the rollers, the more grunt you will need to turn it. The larger the diameter of the rollers, the more grunt you will need to turn it.