Let's talk Mills

[czubak]

I own an inexpensive Cereal Killer mill, made in China and doesn't hold tolerances that well IMO. For $100 it's not complete junk, but there is always room for improvement. I have only brewed a dozen batches on it and am looking to upgrade sometime this year after some research and what others have hands on experience with. Novice brewer here, 5 and 10 gallon batches and I brew once a month on average. I think it crushes well, I just don't like the gap always seeming to vary.

The prices for sake of argument are middle of the road for "options". I chose case hardened rollers and adjustable as my two main options. All are 1.5' diameter rollers other than the MM 2.0

Malt Mill ~$180 Big pluses they tout are 10" long rollers
http://schmidling.com/maltmill.htm

Malt Mill (barebones) $135 I like this model for the size and using a funnel I already have for the hopper. Doesn't take up a on of room
http://schmidling.com/barebone.htm

Captain Crush $279 all Stainless, ribbed rollers over knurled. New to the market, so not much on info yet. The plexyglass makes me think snake oil for some reason. Ready out of the box
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/capt ... -mill.html

Millar's B3 $159 7" long rollers, Stainless rollers, ready out of the box and IMO a great price
http://millarsmills.com/barley-mills

Monster Mill offers several from 1.5" diameter 2 or 3 rollers to now 2" diameter rollers in 2 or 3 rollers. Prices get pretty spendy depending on options and there are a lot there. $125-$300 plus hopper, etc.
http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/p ... _main.html

[Steven P]

Monster mill was a bitch to order when I was in the market but was the one I really wanted. I went with the barley crusher instead.

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[Matt F]

When I got my Monster Mill it was called Crankandstein. It is a 2D model I think which is 2 rollers with detent adjustment. I rarley adjust my mill but when I do it is not a problem. Mine has served me will for over 10 years and I have no plans to change. Was about $100 way back when. I think most of the mills you listed are good.

[Matt F]

Also, I don't think you need to get too crazy on mill upgrades. Not sure the increases in price you pay for some of the options give you that much more. You're just crushing grain. I am sort of a get the most bang for you buck guy. Most options are not necessary. Stainless would be cool if you plan to crush wet malt at all. If you plan to motorize your mill make sure it has the capability. I use a drill but plan to motorize someday. Hoppers are easy to come up with. I use an inverted 5 gallon water jug with the bottom cut out. Works great.

[fargo41]

Stephen, you been happy with your barley crusher?

[whitedj]

Have you looked at the adjustable system of your current mill? It could just be an upgrade of some internal hardware to hold them in place.

[czubak]

Have you looked at the adjustable system of your current mill? It could just be an upgrade of some internal hardware to hold them in place.

Unsure what you are meaning or what I should do to upgrade it. I have not looked into the design to see if I could DIY an improvement yet. Maybe before my next brew session I will look closer at the guts. It works well, I am just unsure if I could compare it to a more spendy model or if the more spendy models are really worth the extra cheddar spent. Sometimes cheap is great, sometimes cheap is cheap. Unsure where this item falls

[Steven P]

Steven, you been happy with your barley crusher?

So far. I took it apart after about 2 years of use for a good cleaning and lube. Be sure you have a feeler gauge to reset your gap. I've done about 50 batches and it works fine.

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[brownbeard]

I will also vouch for the barley crusher. I have been using mine for 10 years now, and it works great.

[mjensen52402]

Steven, what do you have your gap set at? I go back and forth between not a good crush and being too tight so grain clogs the rollersm

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[Steven P]

I think it's set at .038 inch. Factory is .039 inch.

Use one of these to set the gap before tightening the end screws.

http://www.amazon.com/25025-26-Blade-Ma ... eler-Gauge

[mjensen52402]

I reset mine to 0.036 and I am back to my original efficiencies.


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[czubak]

I reset mine to 0.036 and I am back to my original efficiencies.


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I run mine at .040" and am leaving it until I get a few more brews under my system before changing more variables. I used feeler gauges also.

As far as the Cereal Killer goes, I may just keep it until it gives me a real reason to "upgrade" I am tired of hemorrhaging money right now towards a hobby

[mjensen52402]

Don't think of it as a hobby. Think of it as a lifestyle. You can justify buying anything.


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[whitedj]

What is this... Lifestyles of the drunk and poor?