Which Grain Mill? Upgrading to roller mill

[ShineRunnah]

I've decided it's time to upgrade from my Corona type mill to something a bit nicer.

This is something I want to buy once and never have to worry about replacing. However, I'm still working with a budget and would like to keep cost under $300, though I can push that a bit if needed.
Mills considered are listed below in order of interest.

The mill I am most interested in is the Captain Crush. $280

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/capt ... -mill.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

The Crankandstein 2D. $130 or Crankandstein 3D $170 I will make my own base and hopper if I go this route, as I could easily duplicate what they offer with little cost and effort.
http://www.crankandstein.net/index.php? ... ucts_id=11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

http://www.crankandstein.net/index.php? ... ucts_id=13" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

The Monster Mill MM2-Pro with either the hardened or stainless steel rollers. $220 for mill, +$60 hardened rollers Or +$80 SS rollers
I will make my own hopper so as to remain within my budget.

http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/mm-220.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

The Monster Mill MM3-Pro is also an option, but without the upgraded rollers due to budget constraints. While I really like the Monster Mill offerings, they are the most expensive when outfitted with my desired options.


I have excluded the seemingly popular "Barley Crusher" as at $180 with 15lb hopper, I feel the Crankandstein options are better buys. From what I have read for reviews, the Crankandstein mills appear better made, with deeper knurling and easier roller gap adjustment.

I plan to keep my Corona type mill for grinding corn and such, as it has been modified for better adjustment and operation, has a large hopper I added and is already set up with a 1/2hp motor. For what it is, it works very well. And as I understand, the 3-roller mills are not recommended for use with corn.
However, I am using more barley, wheat and rye lately, and I feel a better mill is needed for such grains. I like the idea of the 3-roller, as crushing in 2 steps seems as though it should produce a very nice crush without creating too much "flour".

I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts, and appreciate any input you may have.

[CabbageDistiller]

I've had the crank and stein 2D for something like six years now. It's gone through hundreds and hundreds of pounds of grain and still works great. I can do 20lbs of grain in well under five minutes with a corded drill attached.

[bearriver]

Was thinking of buying this one this morning...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300-kgh-FEED-MI ... 0964&rt=nc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

But I like the Captain Crush you posted a lot better because of the rollers. I'll be occasionally lautering on a false bottom and like the claim here:

Slotted rollers keep husks intact for better lautering performance

[humbledore]

I have a monster mill MM2 pro. It is a beast. I have it hooked up to a bodine gearmotor that runs about 175RPM. It would crush gravel. I do whole corn all the time. I do it in three stages to get it really fine. And I use it for brewing almost every weekend.

[humbledore]

Both the crankenstein and the monster mill products are heads and shoulders above the competition. I trashed two cheap grain mills before springing for the good stuff. It seems expensive but not if you count the number of cheaper ones you will throw away. And personally I would not pay extra for the three roller. The two roller crushes barley for lautering just fine. Just adjust your gap to suit. In fact for corn you actually need to avoid the MM3, it has a max gap of .060 while the MM2 goes to .160". That is what makes short work of whole corn right there, it wouldn't even go through the MM3.

[bellybuster]

I had a machinist build my mill for hLf the cost of an equal commercial mill. I have another commercial mill JSP malt mill. with adjustable rollers and in 15 or 20 years using it have never moved the roller adjustment since initially set.
The built mill works equally well.

[ShineRunnah]

Thanks, much appreciated.

I know about the 3-roller and corn, but I've got my Corona that grinds corn like no tomorrow. And it has a huge hopper that holds 35lbs of corn, so it works pretty well for that.

I wish I could get a side-by-side comparison of the Captain Crush and the Crankandstein 2D and 3D. I'm very curious about the slotted rollers, and as the Captain Crush is all aluminum, SS or synthetic, I am really attracted to the benefit of no rust. The Captain Crush also has 2 adjustable rollers, unlike most 3-roller mills that only have one. Kinda like that feature.

The other side of me says to go with proven technology.

[bellybuster]

Make sure you look at drive shaft size too. You want 1/2" for pulled etc.
I've heard a few bad things about the Capt Crush on the beer forums but never a bad word about the MM.

[ShineRunnah]

After deciding on the Crankandstein 2D, I spoke with my father this morning. He is a machinist and we have been working on/talking about building a grain mill for a while now, he's just slow to get motivated. Finally, after 5 months of hounding him, we are going to go to the machine shop this weekend and build a 2-roller mill. I think it's got more to do with him getting into homebrewing recently, but I'm not complaining, as I'm finally getting my mill! We went over some of the commercial options I was considering, and came up with some good ideas.

First, it will essentially be a 2-roller copy of the Crankandstein 328D, a bit larger than most mills, with 8" long, 2" diameter rollers.
Second, rather than bronze bushings, he wants to use sealed bearings with a narrow bushing toward the roller, basically to protect the bearing from bits of crushed grain that may get between the roller and side-plates.
Third, the 1/2" driveshaft will be integral to the rollers, rather than screwing into the roller as on some mills.
Lastly, there will be 2 sets of rollers made, a knurled set and a slotted set (like those on the Captain Crush). We plan to see which works better on what grains, and possibly make a second mill if there is a benefit to having both types of rollers.

Any suggestions for other modifications/features that would be beneficial are appreciated.

I have a 3/4hp 1750rpm motor to power the mill, and have a 2" drive sheave and 12" and 14" sheaves for the mill itself.

I am also planning to mount this in/on a cabinet with a large hopper, capable of holding close to 50lbs of grain. I am open to suggestions if anyone has a design they like. Basically what I am thinking about is something like that pictured below.

grain mill cabinet.jpg (7.12 KiB) Viewed 6235 times

Below is the mill we plan to copy, without the third roller.

328-D.jpg (5.6 KiB) Viewed 6235 times

Thanks for the suggestions. Hoping to get up and milling here soon. The old Corona served me well, but it's time it gets a break. And with my girl and my father both wanting to start making beer, floury grains just won't cut it.

[chris_zx2]

Please keep us updated I'd love to follow this!

[likker liker]

A few months ago I started thinking why in the hell did I ever sell my old mill. O well, it went to a distiller north of me. It was a little bit slow but got the job done.
So needing to crush /grind some grain and not wanting to take a hour or so too do it. I did a look around the Internet not really what I was thinking. So this is what I made, it will crush 55lb of barley in about 3 mins.

[chris_zx2]

I'd love more info on this build!!!

[likker liker]

Sorry for all the attachments, I'm using my phone the the best way to go

[chris_zx2]

I love it! Where did you get the roller and the motor?

[likker liker]

I had the roller machined for me the motor, the first one was 1/4 hp and different pulleys didn't work so well, I went to a farm supply store and pick up 1/3 hp and different pulleys, still to much grain going through not wanting to buy a 1hp motor for $220 I just cut down the flow of grain(I'll post a picture ) the rest of it are just parts I have. Cut the aluminum with saw and welded it together
sorry for the short answer but having to do this on my phone

[likker liker]

Not pretty but gets the job done. It's just aluminum angle I cut the opening in. The one with the larger opening is for barley the other is for corn

[likker liker]

Machine's drawing for rollers

[chris_zx2]

Awesome!