Are you a baking enthusiast? Does baking pastries make your heart sing with delight? If yes, then you are possibly tired of using store-bought flour, loaded with chemical additives and unhealthy components. You should probably invest in a grain mill to ensure you have fresh, fluffy flour to make great pastries, bread, etc. Not just wheat berries, a grain mill, if used appropriately will be able to grind any grain, nuts, seeds or berries.
It is a low maintenance, versatile and extremely functional equipment that every baker or every cooking enthusiast desires but is hesitant to get- clear those doubts away! A grain mill to grind your own flour will be the healthiest decision you ever make.Best Pick
The NutriMill grain mill is our best pick because it is a powerful, speedy, and efficient machine that grinds flour at different settings from course to fine. It is friendly on the budget and designed for durability.
Budget Pick
The WonderMill grain mill is our budget pick because of its affordability, efficient and rapid handling of large volumes of grains and simple, user-friendly operation and cleaning mechanism.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Grain Mills
1. NutriMill Classic 760200 High-Speed Grain Mill
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This attractive-looking grain mill from NutriMill is a highly efficient and powerful machine that is well-designed and made to last. It can grind about 5 cups per minute. The unit can grind a wide range of grains like rye, barley, wheat berries, corn, soybeans, etc.
It works very fast, and the flour may heat up considerably after coming out but will also cool rapidly. You may want to use frozen beans in some cases. The unit is easy to clean- there are small, individual corners- a brush or paper towel may also come in handy.
A lot of users initially find that the unit flowers a lot of dust of fine flour. But this occurs solely due to the collector vessel not placed properly and the unit detecting this as an operator error: use a lot of force and push (read: literally slam) the container bowl and the notification button will indicate that the positioning is adequate. This will cure the problem of dust clouds.Pros
Cons
2. Wondermill Electric Grain Grinder Mill
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This efficient, and powerful grain mill from WonderMill rapidly grinds flour and different grains or bean. It actually consists of two unit- all very compact and easy to store. This unit is perfect for those who want to process large volumes of grain in a small amount of time.
The cylindrical canister is where the ground flour collects while a foldable tube or outlet directs the ground product to the canister. The blades are made of stainless steel. There is a filter on top of the canister to trap fine flour dust. There are only three available coarseness settings and not much difference between the three in the end product.
The product is relatively simple to operate and no confusing dial mechanism- with on/off switches and three settings. The assembly and disassembly for cleaning are also simple.
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Cons
3. Deluxe Grain Mill by VICTORIO VKP1024
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This grain mill from Victorio is effective but a lot of users may find it time-consuming and slow- a little effort will guarantee you fresh flour that is full of healthy nutrients. The units mounts on flat surfaces about 2 inches thick- the rubber feet make sure they are clamped securely.
The adjustable knob works great but there is no set or lock mechanism for the setting making the dial wander a bit. It can hold a large volume of grain in the hammer- much greater than advertised in pictures. It is an efficient, noise-free unit which is easy to assemble and disassemble.
Also, the crank can be removed for easy storage and use when required. The clean-up is relatively easy. The unit doesn’t clog and only about a teaspoon may remain attached to the cone. You may need a tall container to accommodate ground flour without dust flying around.
It may take some effort finding a place to amount and a little bit hard work trying to crank- but the final product is soft and fine and worth the effort.Pros
Cons
4. Blendtec 52-601-BHM Kitchen Mill 60-Ounce Electric Grain Mill
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This grain mill from BlendTec is one of the many functional line of kitchen appliances manufactured by this trusted company. It is a compact, simple to use, efficient machine. The unit is made up of Micronetic milling chamber, an on/off switch and variable fineness settings controlled by a dial.
The unit works very fast and you can get about 24 cups of flour in eight minutes without any of it overheating. The hopper also spits out beans and grain very frequently: after you have fed the grains at the top, cover with a plate, bowl or colander to return the grain back for milling.
Does not self-feed itself- you have to nudge and poke the grain to move it along and be ground. The place where the milling occurs is very small. Due to the unit containing a lot of nooks and crevice, there are some hard-to-clean places- also you may just a dry, soft brush for cleaning rather than soap water.
You must employ care while latching or unlatching the container as it may result in it breaking. Nevertheless, it is a great unit for the value and it will be a great and handy addition to your kitchenware collection.Pros
Cons
5. Victoria Commercial Grade Manual Grain Grinder with High Hopper
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This hand grain mill from Victoria Commercial comes in three hopper sizes- high, low, and one size. You are required to grind about 2 cups of cheap beans or white rice to get rid of the initial metal shavings. The metal plates should not be tightened to close together.
It is a handy, heavy-duty and functional equipment for grinding even the hardest beans. You can also adjust the fineness of the grind. It is sturdy and easy to clean. It is easy to set up and take apart for cleaning or storage.
Some users have complained of the unit rusting very easily, especially after the first wash. Also, the product comes pretty crammed up into the package so you must be cautious not to lose any small part or receive a dented hopper- it will no longer fit the unit.Pros
Cons
6. Wonder Junior Deluxe Hand Grain Mill by WonderMill
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This hand grain mill by WonderMill redesigns a traditional mill, adding a hoard of useful features and modern outlook to it. The mill is made of cast aluminum with a powder coating, heavy-duty bronze bearings, and steel shafts. The mill also comes with two grinding systems- steel plates and stone burrs.
The steel clamps, grips, and adjustment knobs are made up of nylon. This unit doesn’t require any drilling to be clamped. You have to assemble the unit using the screws and parts provided: this is mostly intuitive but setting up and learning to use it appropriately may require some trial and error.
This unit is an excellent value for money- it is durable, sturdy, and well-designed for heavy-duty or daily use at almost half the price of commonly available grain mills in the market. It can grind all sorts of grains, beans and seed- both dry and oil, but you to need to clean up well after each use. You need considerable muscle power to get the job done but it is worth the effort. You can also do the grains twice- once on coarse setting and then on finer settings for a greater texture.Pros
Cons
7. CHARD GM-150 Grain Mill
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For people who use a grinding mill occasionally or those who want something which is friendly on the budget can opt for this grain mill from Chard. It is not just affordable, but also very durable. It needs to be mounted and clamped to a flat, hard surface before it can be operated. The unit also needs assembly- the bolts and screws are provided and this may seem a little difficult for a few users. The protective rubber feet stop the surface getting destroyed.
The grinder and base is made of cast iron but the hopper is made up of a thin metal sheet. The large hopper has a great capacity. The handles are removable for easy storage. This unit is ideal for flaking or cracking beans, rather than making flour. Coffee beans or cocoa beans also work fine.
This is a sturdy, durable machine that will grind grains coarse but it is not suitable for making flour. It has heavy duty constriction that is decent, given the affordable price for the unit.Pros
Cons
8. KoMo Classic Grain Mill
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This grain mill from KoMo not only looks like a classic beautiful addition to your kitchen, but it is also highly efficient. Shifting to 100% whole meal for your bread, pasta, and flours is easier with this unit. Use it with a sifter if you don’t need the bran.
Some users have reported of the unit shutting down due to overheating after 10 to 30 minutes of use. This unit is truly an investment- the construction and quality are superior and regular pastry bakers or people who prefer to grind their own wheat on a daily basis will benefit greatly from it.
This is a well-engineered unit that will last a long time- it is well worth the high price you pay for it. The system is continuous- you feed the machine dry grains from the top and collected the ground product at the bottom. It uses a stone grinder that is very precise: all you have to do is choose the desired coarseness level.
The motor is fast and efficient and runs well without overheating. The product is armed with a 12-year warranty.Pros
Cons
9. Country Living Hand Grain Mill
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This is a well-designed sturdy hand mill made from aircraft aluminum; the wheels are made of cast-iron while the fly-wheel is made of stainless steel. The unit comes with a packet of flour that was tested and ground using the machine itself. It is armed with a lifetime warranty.
One accessory that will help you reap greater benefits out of this product would be a counter clamp to attach the mill bottom securely to the countertop. The unit also comes with a package of spare parts that must be bought separately: do give it some thought before investing in it as this unit is built to last!
The mill is heavy and you must consider where to install and mount it even before you purchase it. The hand mill requires assembly, which is easy and mostly intuitive. It also requires a flat surface on which it can be bolted to. The unit may not balance and topples over until you balance out the weight and fix the whole set up.Pros
Cons
10. Country Living Grain Mill Motorization Kit
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This motorization kit from Country Living Grain Mill is a set of additional accessories to motorize the hand mill from the same company. It does not consist of the mill itself. The kit is sold at a price similar to the mill. The kit consists of a wooden workbench/board, a motor with pulley, belt and belt guard, and several smaller hardware like screws, washers, spare parts, etc. The revolution is about 60 revs per minutes.
A fine consistency can be achieved very easily with the motor- which is difficult to achieve quickly working with your hand
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Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Grain Mill
Mechanism
A grain mill may grind grains in a variety of way. The part of the machine that does the grinding is the grinding plate. In some case, they maybe stone burrs or steel burrs. Some other machines employ steel jagged teeth or spikes that crack and grind during rotation.
Type
A grain mill may be manual and hand operated or electric.
An electric one uses about 1000 watts of power and runs on power; it is a modern, compact piece of kitchen equipment that grinds to precision, has great horsepower and superb speed. It will be useless during a power shortage.
A manual grain mill, on the other hand, does not use any power. It can be used at all times. All it requires is muscle power. You may require quite an amount of physical strength to get it to grind about half the amount you get in an electric.
A hand mill usually has a crank or wheel or handle to turn the unit. In some cases, the handle is removable for ease of storage.
Accessories
A grain mill may sometimes come with an extra set of burrs. It also comes with spare screws, tools, or nuts in case you end up losing any over time. You may also be provided with a cover for the unit.
The canister or cylinder that comes with the mill is for collecting the ground flour. Hand mills usually don’t come with any collecting containers and you may have to place your own wide-mouth container at the outlet to prevent any dusting or cloud of flour scattering.
Material
Hand operated grain mills are usually made of metal- stainless steel, cast iron or aluminum with little or no plastic parts. Some grain mills may also be wooden. The crank handles and the footings may have rubber parts for better grip.
Assembly
Some units require a bit of assembly. They come with screws and parts and you must set it up using the instruction manual provided. Make sure you do not lose any spare parts or small tools during disassembly for cleaning.
A few hand grain mills need to be mounted and clamped to a flat, straight surface before you can start milling. Make sure you drill and clamp securely. A wooden plank or surface about 2 to 5 inch should be sufficient.
Cost
A grain mill can cost as low as about fifty dollars to as high as a few hundred dollars. If you’re getting one for occasional use only, you might want to purchase one that doesn’t cost as much. Most grain mills are equipped with a lifetime or at least 10 years of warranty.
Storage
Some grain mills can be taken apart for compact storage. Some others are very heavy and have fixed parts. You may need to get a cover for these kinds.
Noise
Grain mills are noisy in general. You may want to do the operations while your kids are asleep. Hand mills are usually quieter than electric mills.
Speed and Efficiency
Mills can grind up to 5 or more cups per minute, the greater, the faster is it. With great speed and power comes great heat. Yes, mills tend to get very hot while running and the flour that comes out may heat up consequently.
This destroys the healthy nutrients in the flour. However, you have no way of knowing if your mill heats up or not. If it does- you may want to use frozen grains or beans so the temperature rise just takes it to the normal level.
Versatility
A few mills are specific about the kinds of nuts and grain they can grind- usually, some mills have the limitation of not grinding oily nuts or grains.
Conclusion
Reading our in-depth review, you may be convinced to invest in your own grain mill to get the fresh and purest flour that is abundant with health benefits. We have compiled the list keeping in mind factors like affordability, efficiency, quality and texture of ground grain, speed, etc.
We have picked the very best grain mills available in the market so that you choose wisely and invest in one that is durable and designed to last. Our compilation will narrow down your choice and we assure you that buying an efficient grain mill is not rocket science anymore.
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