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How to Choose the Right Grain Mill
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*Effort = effort required to produce flour at finest setting; young adults and people of small stature may have difficulty grinding with mills rated "Medium-Hard" or "Hard."
Here at Lehman's, we carry a wide selection of grain mills from manual, hand-cranked grinders to electric versions, so you make your own flour, cereal and animal feed at home.
But how do you decide what mill you need? Where do you even begin?
Here are some simple questions to ask yourself.
What kinds of food would you like to grind?
Do you want to grind wheat for flour? Beans? Nuts? Each grain mill is made to handle different types of food, so you'll want to take a close look at a mill's capability first. (Make sure you select one that will get the intended job done!)
Some mills offer optional accessories to purchase, so you can do more with your mill. The Diamant offers Extra Fine Burrs so you can make extra-fine, pastry-quality flour or Extra Coarse Burrs for cracking grain for animal feed and cereal. The Country Living Grain Mill even has an optional Peanut Butter Accessory, so you can make your own peanut butter and nut butters. (All accessories are sold separately.)
How much do you want to grind at a time?
A grain mill's capacity and the effort it takes will determine how much you'll be able to grind at a time. If you're looking to grind big batches, consider a high-volume mill.
Do you want hand-cranked or motorized?
You never have to worry about electricity when using a hand-cranked mill, but a manual mill will require a little arm power. Each mill has its own advantages, but if the amount of effort is a major factor in your decision, make sure you choose a mill with an "Easy" to "Medium-Easy" effort rating. Purchasing a motorized mill, like the NutriMill, or a mill that can be motorized is also a great option if access to electricity is not a concern.
If making flour, do you want it as fine as store-bought?
If making your own flour is your primary reason for buying a mill, make sure you look at how finely a mill can grind grain. For fine 100% powder flour (like store-bought), we recommend the Diamant Grain Mill, Country Living Grain Mill and NutriMill.
Flour Grades: #1 like store-bought (100% powder); #2 is also 100% flour, but not as fine.
Flour grade comparisons are based on running through the mill one time.
All mills listed as #2, #3, or #4 can get to #1 fineness if reground 2 or more times, which will take longer.
Storing Your Grain
What is the shelf life
- 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.
Want to learn more about our grain mills?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Frequently Asked Questions