Do You Crush Your Own Grain?

[ScrewyBrewer]

I have been considering whether or not to start crushing my own grains. I know crushing my own grains will save me about $1.00 a pound. I was wondering how many of you crush your own grains? If so which grain mill do you have, and is it powered with a drill, or a motor and pulley?

[berryman]

I was wondering how many of you crush your own grains? If so which grain mill do you have, and is it powered with a drill, or a motor and pulley?

Yes and was doing it back when only steeping and PM's. I like to have enough stuff on hand to do at least two or three batches but never know when I might brew, this way I can grind the grain fresh on brewday. I have two grain mills this one: http://www.thevintageshop.ca/products/t ... -mill.html and I use a electric drill on it and a home built one that has a electric motor on it.

[bpgreen]

I've always crushed my own. My fist mill was a corona style mill, but too much work for anything but really small amounts. I've also got a mill that fits on a Kitchenaid. I use that for anything up to about 6 lbs.

For larger amounts (I rarely do more than that), I use a Cereal Killer. I think the Barley Crusher is better known and maybe a higher quality.

When I use the Cereal Killer, I use an electric drill with variable speed.

[berryman]

I use an electric drill with variable speed.

And a good point, if you try to turn to many RPM's and push it to hard you make too much powder. You can go quite a little faster then by hand though.

[Bluejaye]

I crush my own, mostly just for the fun of it. Seriously, this is a hobby and there is something I just enjoy about crushing the grain. :-p I'm not sure how you are saving money, though. Does your LBHS charge to crush it?

I had some fancy Captain Crush from Northern Brewer, but I was not happy with it. I ended up getting the Cereal Killer from Adventures in Homebrewing, and it does a better job at a third the cost (or thereabouts).

I use a cheap low speed drill that I picked up from Harbor Freight.

[Beer-lord]

I’ve been crushing my own for years and won’t go back but I’ve been lucky with my crusher and have made very few adjustments and I think I’ve gotten my money back by now,.


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[Kealia]

Not here, no.
I have them crushed when I pick them up and generally brew within 3 days after.
I just don't have the room to store bulk grains - or don't want to be bothered to make room!

[FrozenInTime]

I buy 50lb sacks un-crushed. I like to crush them as I need them. I have used for 5-6 years a KitchenAid Grain Mill. Takes a little longer as it has a small hopper but I'm never in a big hurry. Most times I crush a day or 2 ahead of brew day.

[bpgreen]

I buy 50lb sacks un-crushed. I like to crush them as I need them. I have used for 5-6 years a KitchenAid Grain Mill. Takes a little longer as it has a small hopper but I'm never in a big hurry. Most times I crush a day or 2 ahead of brew day.

That kitchenaid attachment rocks. You can make flour if you want.

[teutonic terror]

Yes I do...
I use a Corona style mill and power it with my Craftsman cordless drill...
The reason I started doing this was because my LHBS couldn't sell me grain at what I
thought was a reasonable price.
When I told them I was only paying $1.02 a lb for two row, they told me they couldn't
match that.
It saves me $10-15 a brew, depending on other grains, amount of hops and yeast of course...

and with my work schedule, not all my brew days happen when I plan on them sometimes.

[Inkleg]

I had a Barley Crusher, but after 1000+ pounds of grain the knurling on the rollers wore so much that it wouldn't pull grain through. I now have a Monster Mill 2. I powered both with a 1/2 corded drill.

[FrozenInTime]

I buy 50lb sacks un-crushed. I like to crush them as I need them. I have used for 5-6 years a KitchenAid Grain Mill. Takes a little longer as it has a small hopper but I'm never in a big hurry. Most times I crush a day or 2 ahead of brew day.

That kitchenaid attachment rocks. You can make flour if you want.

Makes great flour! I get all the wheat I want for nothing so I make big sacks of it. Wife even has me use malted barley to make a sweet flour ever so often. Mixes it with wheat flour, makes pretty good pancakes!

[ScrewyBrewer]

Thank you all for your replies. I buy grain for $1 a pound locally, but they charge me an another $1 a pound to crush the grain.

I've watched them crush 23 pounds of grain for me and it takes them less than 5 minutes. I'll let you know which mill I decide to get. I'm thinking a 3 roller mill might be overkill, even though I go through ~250 pounds of grain a year.

Thank you all again for helping with this.

[Beer-lord]

Vince, that’s ridiculous!


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[Inkleg]

$1 a pound to crush??? I'd have told them to pound sand a long time ago. Get this and it will pay for itself in two years.