Should You Buy a Homebrew Grain Mill?
Is Buying a Grain Mill Worth It?
If you’re an all grain homebrewer, should you buy a mill?….
If you’re an all grain homebrewer, should you buy a mill?….
This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Michael Gom. Read more about Michael below.
Note that this review covers both the 7 and 15 lb Barley Crusher Grain Mill
Having brewed all-grain for many years, I’ve spent lots of time refining my processes to try and produce predictable results. Things like brewing software make this much easier and do a great job of helping you calculate all your numbers. We can control how much grain we use and how much water, mash thickness, sparge volume, volumes going into fermenters, pitching rates, the list goes on. One thing I hadn’t been controlling, was my grain crush. When I had a local homebrew shop, the owner had no problem with me asking to double mill the grains to help get as fine a grain crush as possible while still not owning a mill. When he closed his shop, I was forced to start ordering my supplies online. Ordering from multiple different locations, having them mill my grain, it was obvious the variable that was changing was the crush size and I felt I was getting inconsistent results. Recently I purchased an all-in-one electric all grain system (Anvil), my brew days got much easier but my efficiency started to really suffer.
Also: Search Amazon for Barley Crusher Grain Mill – offerings vary
This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Michael Gom. Read more about Michael below.
Note that this review covers both the 7 and 15 lb Barley Crusher Grain Mill
Having brewed all-grain for many years, I’ve spent lots of time refining my processes to try and produce predictable results. Things like brewing software make this much easier and do a great job of helping you calculate all your numbers. We can control how much grain we use and how much water, mash thickness, sparge volume, volumes going into fermenters, pitching rates, the list goes on. One thing I hadn’t been controlling, was my grain crush. When I had a local homebrew shop, the owner had no problem with me asking to double mill the grains to help get as fine a grain crush as possible while still not owning a mill. When he closed his shop, I was forced to start ordering my supplies online. Ordering from multiple different locations, having them mill my grain, it was obvious the variable that was changing was the crush size and I felt I was getting inconsistent results. Recently I purchased an all-in-one electric all grain system (Anvil), my brew days got much easier but my efficiency started to really suffer.
Also: Search Amazon for Barley Crusher Grain Mill – offerings vary
Malt Muncher 3 Roller Grain Mill via MoreBeer
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
Mill your own grains for ultimate freshness with the MaltMuncher three roller grain mill. Includes a 12 lb hopper, adjustable rollers, and hand crank. The handle can be removed to use the mill with a drill. The MaltMuncher is backed by a one year warranty and is built to last with rollers made from cold rolled steel. The body and hopper is made from 6061 grade aluminum. The optional PPE base board is much stronger than comparable particle board or plywood bases and makes for a secure platform to set on a bucket.
Do you love to make your own equipment? Make an amazing motorized mill with the optional MaltMuncher high torque motor designed to work with the Maltmuncher 3 roller grain mills.
Features:
Kegland Part Number: KL03261
Limited Availability Deal of the Day: As of this posting, this on sale as as a MoreBeer Deal of the Day. Shipping is also free to addresses in the contiguous US with most $59 Orders. Availability: This is available today only, while supplies last. Quantities are limited. Check the MoreBeer’s Deal of the Day to check today’s offering.
Product Description – Here – Use coupon code BEERDEAL to get this discount.
Malt Muncher 3 Roller Grain Mill MILL710
From the “prices on everything continue to skyrocket” department, this BEATS a deal of the day that was offered in November of 2018. At that time it was offered for $164.99. The lowest historical price I have recorded for this mill was $119.99 back in May of 2019.
Accessories: PPE Base and MaltMuncher high torque motor
MORE MoreBeer Deals!…This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Hullwrecker® 2-roller Grain Mill & Base from Adventures in Homebrewing
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
For perfectly milled grains, ease of use and superior dependability, look no further than the Hullwrecker® grain mill. Our new two roller mill takes the guesswork out of achieving the ideal crush for your brewery. The Hullwrecker® grain mill features a fully adjustable roller gap from 0.025 all the way to 0.1, allowing you to finely tune the crush to your extract preference.
Unlike other available grain mills, the Hullwrecker® comes complete with a custom-designed metal base that fits perfectly on any standard 5 or 6.5-gallon plastic bucket.
Features:
**Does not grind corn**
Why you need a Mill: Milling your own grain… 1. Gives you control over the crush of your grain. That’s a big factor in efficiency. 2. A mill allows you to fine tune for your equipment and process. You know what the crush is going to be since you set it. 3. A mill allows you to save money by buying whole bags of grain at a discount, and 3. The shelf life of unmilled grain is longer than pre-milled grain. Freshly milled grain = better tasting beer.
Hullwrecker® 2-roller Grain Mill & Base
20% Off Kegs and Kegging! – remember promo code PARTYTIME
Coupon code PARTYTIME makes this mill $119.99 and shipping is free to many US addresses.
This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
More: Recent AIH Finds
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. prod:aihcrpdstr tag:itsapageaih
This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert. Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer. Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.
I started milling my own grains not too long after I switched to all-grain. At first I thought the idea was laughable to mill my own grains- why buy something and do the work myself, when I could get it done for free at the homebrew shop? But once my process had stabilized a fair amount, I became frustrated by my inability to hit the recipe’s planned OG. On my batches where my gravity was lower than predicted, I found a notable number of fully intact grains in the spent grains from my mash. Aiming for consistency, I wanted to make sure all my grains were always crushed, so I bought a 2-roller grain mill. That worked well, but if I wanted to optimize mash efficiency, I was always dancing on the edge of a stuck mash.
The 3-roller mill from Monster Brewing Hardware passes through a first pair of rollers that have a fixed gap. That is machined to be 0.060”, with the intention of doing a minimal crush to soften the inside of the grain without really breaking the husk. After the first pair of rollers, it passes through the gap that you can adjust to your liking. The instructions provided with the mill recommend 0.045” for a medium crush, 0.055” for a coarse crush, and 0.038” for a fine crush. But of course the beauty of having your own mill is you can adjust it as you want, based on what works best for you.
The MM-3 3-roller mill comes with some options. The base rollers are 1144 steel alloy that is durable for long life, but can get some surface rust if used in a non-climate-controlled area, or if you wet mill your grain. For those homebrewers, they offer a stainless steel roller option, which they say has the same durability as the steel alloy base rollers. If you are a manic homebrewer, they offer a 3rd option with their MM-3 Pro series, which has heat treated rollers. These apparently have about 10x the life durability, but the price tag roughly doubles over the base MM-3.
The other option to choose from is the drive shaft size. Standard is a 1/2″ drive, but 3/8” is available as a smaller option. The 3/8” really isn’t recommended since 3/8” drive drills typically don’t have the torque to drive this mill. It can also be hard to find a cordless drill with enough torque to drive it, so Monster Mill recommends a corded drill. If you order the grain hopper from Monster Mill, it comes standard in galvanized 20-gauge steel, or optional stainless steel. Galvanized steel is corrosion resistant, so the only real advantage of stainless for your grain hopper is the “bling effect”.
Deal expires 12/1
Monster Mill Black Friday Sale – remember coupon code BLACKFRIDAY
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
The Barley Crusher MaltMill
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
The Original Barley Crusher MaltMill, the “Home Brewer’s Best Friend” has proven to be just that. A high quality grain mill constructed using materials that will last a lifetime, 1018 Cold Rolled Steel for the rollers, 6061 Aluminum for the mill body and hopper, tool steel for the axles with Oil Impregnated bronze bushings.
Precision machining with Quality Control and a LifeTime Warranty from the manufacturer assures the homebrewer that this will be the only grain mill they will ever purchase!
Features:
The Barley Crusher MaltMill – 15 lb Hopper – remember promo code bfmill
The Barley Crusher MaltMill – remember promo code bfmill
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit the product page. Check the product page for current price, description and availability
The Barley Crusher MaltMill
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
The Original Barley Crusher MaltMill, the “Home Brewer’s Best Friend” has proven to be just that. A high quality grain mill constructed using materials that will last a lifetime, 1018 Cold Rolled Steel for the rollers, 6061 Aluminum for the mill body and hopper, tool steel for the axles with Oil Impregnated bronze bushings.
Precision machining with Quality Control and a LifeTime Warranty from the manufacturer assures the homebrewer that this will be the only grain mill they will ever purchase!
Features:
The Barley Crusher MaltMill – 15 lb Hopper – remember promo code bfmill
The Barley Crusher MaltMill – remember promo code bfmill
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
FERRODAY Malt Crusher Stainless Steel 2 Roller Malt Mill Homebrew Grain Crusher
More Info
FERRODAY Malted Grain Mill Malt 2 Roller Stainless Steel Malt Crusher Heavy Duty Malt Mill Homebrew Grain Crusher Adjustable Barley Grinder Low Speed Drill Available Manual Malt Mill Malted Grain Mill – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Malt Mill Electric Grain Grinder Mill, Upthehill DY368 Stainless 2 Rollers Grain Mill with 11LB Hopper Home Brewing Mill Barley Crusher Cereal Crushing Machine
More Info
Also Consider: Barley Crusher & Cereal Killer Motor Kit
Milling your own grain… 1. Gives you control over the crush of your grain. That’s a big factor in efficiency. 2. A mill allows you to fine tune for your equipment and process. You know what the crush is going to be since you set it. 3. A mill allows you to save money by buying whole bags of grain at a discount, and 3. The shelf life of unmilled grain is longer than pre-milled grain. Freshly milled grain = better tasting beer.
Malt Mill Electric Grain Grinder Mill, Upthehill DY368 Stainless 2 Rollers Grain Mill with 11LB Hopper Home Brewing Mill Barley Crusher Cereal Crushing Machine – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Also: Malt Muncher Mills and Motors at William’s Brewing – Malt Muncher Mills and Motors at MoreBeer – a motorization option is available for MaltMuncher Mills – Barley Crusher & Cereal Killer Motor Kit
This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
It’s a common question. I’ve experienced a swing and a miss in this area myself, thinking “This cordless drill has got to work with my mill” and when it arrived, nope, not even close.
This resource shares some feedback that we’ve received from other homebrewers when we asked… What drill do you use with your homebrew grain mill?
This is a collection of feedback we’ve received from homebrewers. Their experience is not a guarantee that you will have the same experience. Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions.
For some drills, we’ll link a specific product page when we know the exact model. For others we’ve linked to search results to help you shop around. Note that multiple variations of some products may be available, that means a different model may show up. Also tools specs and capabilities can change over the years.
Malt Muncher 2 Roller Grain Mill via MoreBeer
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
Mill your own grains for ultimate freshness with the Malt Muncher two roller grain mill. Includes a 6lb hopper, adjustable rollers, and hand crank. The handle can be removed to use the mill with a drill. The MaltMuncher is backed by a one year warranty and is built to last with rollers made from cold rolled steel, a big upgrade over most entry level mills. The body and hopper is made from 6061 grade aluminum. The optional bamboo base board is much stronger than comparable particle board or plywood bases and makes for a secure platform to set on a bucket.
Do you love to build your own equipment? Make an amazing motorized mill with the optional MaltMuncher high torque motor designed to work with the MaltMuncher 2 roller and MaltMuncher 3 roller grain mills.
Features:
MoreBeer is discounting select gear by up to 45% as part of an End of Summer Sale!
This is included in the mix and on sale for just $89.99. That’s a whopping $60 savings. This is an outstanding deal.
Malt Muncher 2 Roller Grain Mill MILL700
Interested in a motorized mill? Check out the Malt Muncher High Torque Motor Add-On
MORE MoreBeer Deals!…This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
The Barley Crusher MaltMill
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
The Original Barley Crusher MaltMill, the “Home Brewer’s Best Friend” has proven to be just that. A high quality grain mill constructed using materials that will last a lifetime, 1018 Cold Rolled Steel for the rollers, 6061 Aluminum for the mill body and hopper, tool steel for the axles with Oil Impregnated bronze bushings.
Precision machining with Quality Control and a LifeTime Warranty from the manufacturer assures the homebrewer that this will be the only grain mill they will ever purchase!
Features:
The Barley Crusher MaltMill – 15 lb Hopper – remember promo code MILLDEAL
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
The Barley Crusher via MoreBeer
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
The Barley Crusher has a long history of reliable use and is constructed using materials that will last a lifetime. The Barley Crusher uses 1018 Cold Rolled Steel for the rollers, 6061 Aluminum for the mill body and hopper, tool steel for the axles with Oil Impregnated bronze bushings.
Mill Features:
Motorize It! Barley Crusher & Cereal Killer Motor Kit
I’ve used a Barley Crusher for years. It’s a great mill
Limited Availability Deal of the Day: As of this posting, this is marked down to $129.99 as a MoreBeer Deal of the Day. Shipping is also free to addresses in the contiguous US with most $59 Orders. Availability: This is available today only, while supplies last. Quantities are limited. Check the MoreBeer’s Deal of the Day to check today’s offering.
Product Description – Here – Use coupon code BEERDEAL to get this discount.
The Barley Crusher Malt Mill MILL500
Shop Around!
MORE MoreBeer Deals!…This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
From MoreBeer:
The Suns out; time to get those Mash Tuns out! We have over 30+ products On Sale; some are marked down up to 50% OFF!
To shop our Summer Equipment Sale, click here
The lineup includes select grain mills including Mighty Mills, Barley Crushers, MaltMunchers and MaltZilla
What’s going on at MoreBeer Today? Today’s Deal of the Day | Sale Items
MORE MoreBeer Deals!…This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
Maltmuncher Three Roller Mill via William’s Brewing
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
This three roller mill with aluminum hopper holds 12 pounds of malted barley, and features three 6″ by 1½” knurled rollers turning in precisely machined ball bearings. Three rollers crush grain more thoroughly and evenly than a two roller mill for the most extract per pound of grain. Figure running 8 to 12 pounds per minute through this mill depending on its source of power.
Rollers are gap-adjustable at both ends and calibrations are included at both ends for easily repeatable gap settings. Gap can be set from 0 to .63″, we recommend you start with .63″ to see how your mill works, and then narrow the gap to .50″ or so if you find any whole kernels coming through.
The steel rollers are machined to efficently grab the kernels and pull them through the mill. The detachable handcrank can be removed to install a 1/2″ shaft capable electric drill (we recommend a good quality variable speed corded drill, as this mill requires some force to turn quickly, and a cheap drill will not work well).
Assembly required, you will need to screw the hopper together with the included machine screws and screw the base to your mounting board (mounting board and mounting screws are not included, but screw holes are provided in the base for mounting).
William’s Brewing Father’s Day Sale discounts a bunch of gear for… Father’s Day. Shipping is free or reasonably priced flat rate to addresses in the contiguous US depending on your order size for most items.
William’s Brewing Father’s Day Sale
This is included in the mix and on sale for $164.99.
Also: MaltMuncher Mills and Motors at William’s Brewing
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale
Monster Brewing Equipment’s Grain Mill Gear Motor
More InfoFrom the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
In the effort to provide one stop shopping we now offer this wonderful half horsepower gear motor spinning at 240 rpms for superior grist output, and minimal flour. The gear motor features a ½ HP (400 watt) single phase AC capacitor start/capacitor run 110/220V motor running at 1825 rpms, with a 7.5:1 gear reduction. It has an IP55 rated enclosure making it “dust proof”. The output shaft height matches our new MM-3ProG mill with no adjustment needed. The output shaft is 22mm with a 6mm keyway. When you order the wiring kit, the motor will be set up with proper rotation, and wired for plug it in and go operation. Due to the electric operation and mfg location we can only provide a 1 year warranty on our gear motors from the date of purchase. These gear motors are made in Taiwan.
Note that the shaft height matches Monster’s MM-3ProG, however it is compatible with all Monster Brewing Equipment Mills. You just need to line up the shafts when you put your setup together. Fred from Monster Mills says this can be adapter to work with any of the mills current in the market.
3 Roller Homebrew Mill Kit at Monster Brewing Hardware
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit the product page. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Maltzilla Diamond Roller Mill Package from William’s Brewing
The MaltZilla is the first mill to use diamonds impregnated into the surface of the twin 70 millimeter diameter rollers. Unlike knurled steel rollers, these diamonds will stay just as sharp as they were on day one, as they are harder than steel. Most mills require aggressive knurling to push into the grain and “chop” the grain as it passes through a tight gap. This often means your grains are chopped in half. The MaltZilla works on a different principle and gap setting is not as critical; impregnated diamonds to grip the surface of the kernel and the friction of pulling the grain through the gap causes a sheering action. This leaves the entire husk intact reducing the chance of stuck sparge and improving efficiency, while still opening the husk so the entire contents of the kernel are converted from starch to sugar. Click HERE for a picture of malt that has been milled in the Maltzilla. The Maltzilla crushes about 2 pounds of grain per minute.
Note: The Maltzilla is for milling barley and wheat malt, it does not mill corn or other harder grains.
The 24 volt DC motor features an integrated gearbox. The high torque and sealed construction make it ideal for a brewing environment. The motor is sealed from moisture and grain dust, and integrated into the side body of the mill, and runs with less noise than traditional mill motors. Being DC the motor is safer than higher voltage AC especially in an environment where washing down the area with a hose is likely to happen.The motor is also reversible so the direction of spin can be changed based on the polarity. This is particularly useful for over-mount and under-mount installation.
This complete package includes the KegLand Power Transformer item X84, which provides a safe 24 volts DC to run the mill. Also included are the Maltzilla Base, Maltzilla Hopper, and William’s 6 Gallon Bucket to catch the crushed malt.
The hopper comes unassembled, and detailed assembly instructions are provided. The included base is easily bolted onto the Maltzilla with the included bolts. 33″ tall with bucket, 15½” tall without bucket. 18″ wide, 13½” deep.
Maltzilla Diamond Roller Mill Package – Grain Mills & Accessories at William’s Brewing – discounts reflected at checkout
Standalone Mill: Maltzilla Diamond Roller Mill
Want to Motorize Your Barley Crusher or Cereal Killer Mill?… Barley Crusher & Cereal Killer Motor Kit
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
Grain Mills & Accessories at William’s Brewing – discount shows in cart
This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.