WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GRINDING GRAIN AT HOME?
- Better taste – flavor is at its peak right after it is ground.
- Healthier – fresh ground flour has 26 valuable nutrients, while store-bought flour has only 3-7! Commercial mills remove the fibrous bran and nutritious germ, and drive out vitamins with their heat.
- All-natural – no additives, preservatives, bleach or chemicals
- Do-it-yourself – you get the satisfaction of baking from scratch with fresh, natural ingredients
HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE WHICH GRAIN MILL TO GET?
It all depends on how it will be used. Here are the most important things to consider:
- What am I going to be grinding?
- How much will I be grinding at a time and for how many people?
- Do I want a hand-crank or electric mill (how hard am I able to turn)?
- How fine do I want to grind my flour?
- Is cost a factor?
WHICH MILLS ARE BEST FOR SMALL JOBS?
- For making flour, use Lehman’s Own Grain Mill #C17B/1239570. The Traditional Grain Mill w/ High Hopper #1079030 is good for cracking grain for cornmeal or to make feed for a few chickens.
WHICH MILLS ARE EASIEST TO TURN?
- The Diamant #525 and the Country Living #1136950 are the easiest to turn by hand.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ELECTRIC OR MOTORIZED GRAIN MILLS?
- Yes, we do. The Nutrimill #82661 and the commercial sized Meadows Mill #81313/100000215 are electric. The Country Living Grain Mill #1136950 can easily be motorized with the additional Motorization Kit. The Diamant #525 can also be motorized.
WHICH MILLS MAKE THE FINEST FLOUR?
- Lehman’s Own Grain Mill #C17B, the Diamant #525, the Country Living Grain Mill #1136950, the Quaker City Mill #1171295/#1171300, the High Speed Mill #2360 and the Commercial Sized Meadows Mill #81313/100000215 can all grind as fine as store-bought flour.
WHICH MILLS ARE BEST FOR MAKING ANIMAL FEED OR CRACKING GRAIN?
- The High Speed Mill #2360 is good for animal grain. The Traditional Grain Mill w/ High Hopper #1079030 is good for small-scale applications like for chickens.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GRAIN MILLS MADE IN THE USA?
- Yes! Lehman’s Own Grain Mill #C17B/1239570, the Country Living #1136950, the High Speed #2360. and the Commercial Sized Meadows Mill #81313/100000215.
DO YOU HAVE ANY GRAIN MILLS THAT WILL MAKE PEANUT BUTTER?
- We recommend using a wheatgrass juicer like the Chop-Rite Wheatgrass Juicer #27 or the Economical Wheatgrass Juicer #1093515 instead of a gain mill because they are faster and not as messy. If you would prefer a grain mill, Lehman’s Own #C17B/1239570 will make peanut butter, but make sure to use a stomper to keep the mill from clogging. Another option is the Oil Press #30340100.
DO YOU HAVE A GRAIN MILL THAT WILL MAKE CORN FLAKES?
- We unfortunately do not.
What is the shelf life of grain?
- Wheat and corn (and other hard grains like flax, spelt, triticale, etc.) stored properly should last at least 5 years (if unopened); use within 1 year if opened.
- Groats (and other soft grains like rice, rye, barley, quinoa, rolled oats, etc.) stored properly may last up to 1 year (possibly longer).
How should grain be stored?
- Keep in a cool, dry place, 45°-65°F.
- Use a food-grade, air/water-tight container with an oxygen absorber; leave air space around containers for ventilation.
- Moisture content of the grain should be about 10% or less.
- If you are storing in a metal container, do not put directly on a cement floor; use a wood pallet or shelf-this will eliminate the possibility of rusting.
- Local agriculture extension offices will have more information for long-term storage in specific areas.