Diamant Grain Mill

Firstly, this a a heavy machine being made of cast iron. The overall quality of the castings is very good. The large flywheel reduces the effort needed to turn the crank but it is still quite a workout to grind enough wheat for a loaf of bread. It takes three or four passes thru to reduce the wheat berries to flour as you probably could not turn the handle with the plates tightened to the necessary degree to go directly from berries to flour. But, it will mill wheat to cake flour consistency. It will also mill corn to flour but it takes more passes as the first one or two require that the plates not be very tight as it is difficult to crack the kernel. I use popcorn kernels as they make the best corn meal. Because of the difficulty in turning the hand crank, I decided to motorize my machine. After carefully reading the manual and the company website, I decided on a one third HP motor and a 2 inch diameter pulley. It took a lot of careful measuring to get the motor placement just right as you need good alignment of the pulley wheel and the flywheel. I purchased the belt from an auto store. Now I can grind enough flour fr two loaves of bread in less than twenty minutes.

I have wanted one of these for a few years, but wondered if I would ever be able to afford one. I had an opportunity to buy one from Lehman's last fall. I was so excited to get it! Our electric flour mills are throughly worn out and our Back to Basics hand crank mill grinds so course, that it is practically worthless. I use this Diamant mill several times a week for grinding wheat. It is built heavy, and grinds flour well. But they must have had a new employee build mine. The auger squawks loudly like a digital timer (BEEP!, BEEP!, BEEP!), the rotating burr had an extra chunk of metal in the center that I had to file out to prevent uneven wear, and the bolts that hold the burr housing on, are set so close to each other that it is nearly impossible to remove the housing. How so many flawed parts got assembled into the same machine baffles me. I put paperboard washers between the auger and the back end of the grinding chamber, and that stops the squawking, until the paperboard wears out. The auger appears to have been cast, then machined round, to fit in the mill body. Some of the augers mashing teeth have no machining on them, and others are almost totally machined off. If this machine is head and shoulders above the rest, I am glad that I did not buy any of the rest! I can think of quite a few ways to improve the design of this machine. The finger guard likes to keep the wheat out of the grinding chamber. The mashing teeth on the end of the auger won't push the last bit of wheat into the burrs. The bearing on the end of the shaft is a single steel ball imbedded into the end of a metal cylinder. The steel ball develops a flat spot where the fineness adjustment screw rubs it. This machine has become a necessity for us, but it is still a disappointment. I expected better quality for the price.

We purchased this mill with the extension and extra burrs. The extension really gives it more power. Is is a work out, but the taste and experience of fresh ground flour in home made bread is worth it. When we first received it, my teenage son stood there grinding corn while he was talking to me and had enough corn meal for cornbread that night. I have mine mounted to a stand next to my island in the kitchen so everyone wants to try it when they come over. It's beautiful and goes well in the kitchen of our log home.

Beware, the color of this item is not like that in the photos. The color is a bright, ugly neon green. It is NOT a nice, dark green like the pictures.

My wife and I purchased the Diamant Mill in 2001 from Lehman's. I must say what a great piece of equipment going on 13 years of use. We grind wheat,oats,corn for making bread to animal feed. One of the best purchases we have ever made. --David

I purchased this a few months ago with the idea of using this in an emergency time of chaos in our country. Now, I use it all of the time! I love it. My bread maker is in the garage now and I only make bread from scratch. This machine is worth much more than it cost. Very well made. My husband retired from a space and missiles company and wouldn't get over the quality in this machine as metal strength and integrity was his life for years. We are in So. Oregon and found grain to use here. Love this machine!!!

Works best grinding wheat. Not so good for corn, especially not wet corn. Makes good flour but it's hard work. No need to join a gym to workout plus will heat you for free in the winter. Really it's a 3 in 1 machine. Grinder, exerciser and heater.

I have no Idea why We waited to buy this mill. This mill is by far, the Cadillac of the Hand Mills.It turns real easy and smooth.. I ran the wheat threw 2 times, Just playing. I also had some corn on hand and I tried that too. It also makes great fresh ground corn mill too. I love making fresh ground mill, and the smells so great, wow !!! This thing has some great craftsmanship, and should last a life time and then some. Thanks to the Company who makes it. And thanks to the Company who sold it. Job Well Done.

This mill was one of my most prized possessions. As an avid home bread baker I relished the flavor that freshly ground wheat made in my loaves. It was extremely easy to use and was also a lovely addition to my kitchen. Alas - I loaned it to a friend who was starting a goat enterprise with his new family as I felt they had a more important use for it. It ended up with the ex-wife when they split and I'll never see it again. When I bought it it was closer to $500. sigh... If you can, get it! It's beautifully made and a wonder to work with!

My family has used this grain mill for over 10 years. It is one of those products that is more than one expects. It works well and little maintenance other than a little grease on the thrust bearing.

I recently purchased the Diamant Grain Mill with no prior experience milling my own wheat. Wow- what a difference in the quality of my bread! The taste, texture, & nutritional value of my bread improved instantly. Moreover, the simple (albeit very physical) act of grinding my own wheat enriches the quality of the cooking experience and enhances my personal connection to the food I eat. This surprised me. I selected the Diamant following a period of extensive internet research on the subject. Most, if not all sources agreed that the Diamant is at the head of the class. I assure you that it is correct. The construction of the appliance is extremely sturdy, the operation is both ingenious and uncomplicated, and the flour I've produced from it is beyond compare. The mill is heavy and it absolutely requires a sturdy base of operation; do not attempt to use this from a flimsy modern tabletop. I mount mine on my workbench. Although the user-guide was rather spare, I found that I really didnﾒt need more direction. If you think that the $1300 price tag is too rich for your blood, I encourage you to think again. This product is worth that hefty price tag. Make no mistake, a purchase of a Diamant is a purchase of an heirloom tool your family will fight over long after youﾒve kicked the bucket.