How much is saved milling own grain?

[Nibbo]

I bought a grain mill almost straight away when i started brewing all grain. Before me, there was nothing around close enough to pop in and get some grain milled for my next batch.
The main advantages to owning a grain mill that I saw were -

• Cheaper grain
• The ability to brew whenever I wanted
• Not having to order in/or pick up milled grain when I needed it

Having the grain already meant I could wake up in the morning and think "bugger it, I might brew today" without worrying about having to go for a drive. Stock base malts and only stock spec malts if you know you are going to use it all.
I started with a porkert hand mill for BIAB and then upgraded to a roller mill when my batch sizes increased and my system changed to 3V.

 

[Spiesy]

Joe white ect can be had for less around $50 and sometimes get down to $1.70kg

Try $38.

 

[Yob]

I'm thinking about getting a grain mill and am wondering how much $$$ gets saved when you mill ur own.
For those with a mill, what do you spend on grain for a roughly 5.5 kg brew? I'll probably just be doing base malt for a start.
Cheers

Being in Shep, The Bendigo lads (link in post 19 above) are going to be the most convenient to help you out for your grains, as for a Mill, absolutely the best way to go, Ive never thought of it as a cost saving though, more the convenience of being able to a. Mill when I choose and b. be able to store bulk grains (which in itself leads to savings)

Im still going on a fairly well used 3 roller Marga mill, but given a choice would upgrade the the MM3 in a hreatbeat, Ive only ever heard great things about them.. there are a few threads about which mills are best floating about the forum, mostly it comes down to a budget thing though and depending on how much and often you brew, they can be said to pay for themselves in a year or so with all things factored in.

 

[VP Brewing]

Ok it's taken me a month and I'm the proud new owner of a mashmaster minimill. Pretty awesome bit of gear.
I made a hopper for it yesterday and I'm looking at a drill to power it.
I see a lot of people use the spade handle ozito for $99 from bunnings. Would the $39 ozito drill be suitable or would it go too quick?
I've done a fair bit of research on here and there is a whole heap of conflicting advice.... Looking to power it cheaply

 

[Pogierob]

They say the poor man pays twice.

The question you must ask yourself is this.

Do I want to power it cheaply now and pay again later?

I would suggest the best one you can afford, but this is also coming from a bloke who made his grain mill out of a pasta maker, so carry on!!!

 

[Yob]

You want a drill with low rpm but high torque, blew up several drills this way before getting a Taurus type one (aldi $50)

Has served well

 

[Spiesy]

Or you could get a motor.

Love my motor from Motion Dynamics.

No affiliation.

 

[DU99]

means to me i can brew when i want to brew,i don't have pre milled grain to worry about,especially if something goes wrong(weather or family issues).my mill is a keg king bulk buy unit.does what i want it to.and a cheap drill makes life a bit easier,and with more places coming on line to buy grain from.doing it yourself saves me time

 

[VP Brewing]

Yeah not sure I can justify spending another $170+ putting a MD motor on it.
I'll probably do it cheaper so I can spend more money on beer.
I already have 2 drills that don't fit so I might have to get a third.
Cheers

 

[Mardoo]

Check this brilliant thread for info in powering a mill cheaply

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/index.php?/topic/81011-%2425-grain-mill-motor-from-bread-maker

 

[Crouch]

Or you could get a motor.

Love my motor from Motion Dynamics.

No affiliation.

Got any links to it? Picked up my mills recently and have plenty of drills in the workshop, but wouldn't mind fixing up something a little more permanent.

Cheers

 

[Spiesy]

Got any links to it? Picked up my mills recently and have plenty of drills in the workshop, but wouldn't mind fixing up something a little more permanent.

Cheers

http://www.motiondynamics.com.au/home-brewer-special-worm-drive-motor-dc-speed-controller.html

 

[Rambo]

I picked up a corded variable speed drill driver from masters yesterday for about $30. Seems similar to the ozito one that's about $80, haven't had a chance to give it a whirl on the mill yet but may be an option for you if you live near a masters. Was more an impulse buy after frustrations from hand milling.

 

[marksy]

You want a drill with low rpm but high torque, blew up several drills this way before getting a Taurus type one (aldi $50)

+1.

And make sure you charge the batteries the night before, you only make that mistake once.

Just having the ability to crush your own grain fresh, and when you want it, is great. I even crush some from friends who are starting to dabble in AG.

 

[pk.sax]

If going the drill route:

1. High torque low rpm
2. Lockable trigger
3. 1/2" chuck
4. Preferably AC powered

All the above features have their respective advantages/importance.

 

[spog]

Have a look in a junk shop,second hand dealer,white goods repairer for an old electric motor ( max of 1 h/p and around 1440 rpm) ,a 300 mm wheel ( sheave ?) and a fanbelt to suit.
I did see somewhere a new motor of this size for $130.00. On the Internet somewhere,it was an aussie business.
Cheers....spog...

 

[dicko]

http://www.kegking.com.au/Downloads/Catalogue%20-%20Retail%20Price%20List.pdf

Have a look at the new mill motor that these guys do.

Page 20 of the PDF doc. or page 40 of the Catalogue

No affiliation blah blah!!

 

[TheWiggman]

I recently took the leap into the bulk grain aind milling world. Assuming you mill your own and buy most of your grain in bulk, I knocked up the below cost analysis. I estimate I pay about $40 per brew for grains and postage combined. I've also assumed some grains are imported ($80ish/bag) and others local ($55/bag). I estimated $65 per 25kg bag.

If doing 9 brews a year these are the ongoing costs for grains -



Milling pays itself off within 9 months. There are some incoveniences (limited ability to buy truckloads of different grain, place required for storage etc.) but the benefits outweigh it, especially financially.
And of course economies of scale means the more you drink, the more you save. Brew-ya-ka-sha.

So to OP - assuming you want to keep up the hobby, amount saved is approximated "shitloads".

 

[mje1980]

I've had my barley crusher at least 5 years and always just used my power drill to drive it. No problem

 

[Spiesy]

Before I had access to lots of different grain, I made the switch to buying my own mill for two reasons, in order:

1. Being able to wake up and brew, without having to plan ahead (limited only by what grain I had)
2. Saving money.

By having a bunch of grains, hops and yeast on hand at all times - it was refreshing to say "righto, I'm going to brew" - rather than having to plan days ahead.

But, I've got to say, if you're an adventurous brewer - or just someone who likes to mix it up, as I am, it did suck when I wanted to brew a particular recipe and I didn't have the malts on me. Especially specialties. Sure, you can always order them in, but that does fly in the face of the two main selling points above.

Still, I'd recommend it, if you have the room and setup coin.