What's everyone using for a mill?

[Two Wheeler]

Hey guy, looking to get a mill... I see the corona mills are on for $45 at OBK... Is it worth it to spend more for a bigger mill? What's everyone here use?

[Chris Craig]

Most of us use a Barley Crusher, but carmstrong has been using a corona-style mill for a couple of years with good results.

I got mine here: http://hopdawgs.ca/Barley-Crusher

[Roger]

The corona mill works fine from what I hear it's cheep but the hopper is quite small. So it takes quite a bit of time to go through enough grain for a batch your best bet is a roller mill. In my opinion your better off getting the best equipment you can afford in the first place instead of going too much on the cheep side and having to upgrade in a year or so. I use a Millar's mill it was the best one I could find for what I needed. It's got a 10 lb hopper and stainless steel rollers. They also give you a free muslin bag and all natural organic brewing cleaner. A lot of people use the barly crusher and seem to like it either way some kind of roller mill is likely your best bet. On the other hand you could bring your grain to someone's place who has a mill and save your money for the time being.

[Two Wheeler]

Thanks guys, I do value my time so I'll likely go for the BC. Are you hand cranking or have you fit a drill to it?

[Chris Craig]

Use a drill.  Much faster.

[Jake]

Yea you'll crank it once then never want to do it again. get a drill if you don't have one already.

[pliny]

There are many mills out there now that vary anywhere from $100 to $280. Some have three rollers.

Some of the reputable ones are below. The three first ones mentioned are probably the most popular right now these days:
- Monster Mill: http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/
- Cereal Killer: http://www.homebrewing.org/Cereal-Killer-Grain-Mill_p_2310.html
- Captain Crush: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/captain-crush-grain-mill.html
- JSP has a less expensive non-adjustable one and also have an adjustable model.

You would probably need to order these through the states. If you don't have a line in the US, consider one of the two below.

Of course many of us have the Barley Crusher. Hopdawgs here in Canada sells it. He's a good guy and he sells his for $145. http://hopdawgs.ca/Barley-Crusher

OBK has one on his site that looks ALOT like the Barley Crusher and he sells for $120. He's a great guy.  http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/OBKrusher_Grain_Mill_with_7_lb_hopper_p/grain-mill-obkrusher.htm


My advice - don't get a corona mill. Get one of the mills above. Get a drill. If you don't have one there are always drills on sale somewhere. for less than $40.

[Jake]

That 3 roller captain crush mill looks bad ass! First time seeing this mill.

Anyone in the group using a 3 roller mill?

[Al-Loves-Wine]

That 3 roller captain crush mill looks bad ass! First time seeing this mill.

Anyone in the group using a 3 roller mill?

Pretty sure fakr is, I've looked at that mill lots of times too, WANT! I hear the 3 rollers pinch the husk open and practically keeps it in tact as if you were almost using hulls.

[Chris Craig]

Yeah, that looks awesome!

[jamie_savoie]

I used a corona for a couple of years before upgrading to BC last year (bough used from fakr).  The carona did the job ok but my efficiency wasn't consistent and it was a bit harder to sparge since the hush are a bit more shattered as oppose a just crush.  Now with the BC I have constant 74-78% efficiency so now my recipes are way more predictable and crushing grains takes me 10 minutes as opposed to 30 minute (even with a drill)

I still use my corona once in a while for raw grains or corn (mainly for sour beers)

[Two Wheeler]

So... any of you folks wants to upgrade to that fancy three roller system, and subsidize it's cost by selling your outdated 2 roller mill?   

I'm going to keep my eye out for a deal, I won't really need one until the next bulk grain order comes in anyway

[Evil Jalapeno]

Deal of the Day at OBK is their OBKrusher mill: http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/OBKrusher_Grain_Mill_with_7_lb_hopper_p/grain-mill-obkrusher.htm

[Two Wheeler]

Well would you look at that... Likely can't beat that price.

[Chris Craig]

Good timing!