Help with mill choice

[TimCA]

Good morning all.

I am thinking of getting a mill. I am between Monster mills MM 2-2.0 and the MM 3. Any input? There 2-2.0 has two 2” rollers while the 3.0 has 3 1.5” rollers.
Thanks
Tim

[Bugeater]

The larger rollers will contact the grain at a slightly lower angle than the smaller rollers. The lower angle will do less damage to the husks, leading to easier lautering.

On the other hand, with the 3 roller mill the gap between the first two rollers is set a little large in order to crack the grain and loosen the husks. The gap between the 2nd and 3rd roller is then set closer to finish the crush without further damaging the husks.

This doesn't really answer your question other than showing you that these two models take a different approach to accomplishing the same thing. Assuming they are both adjustable, I would go with the one that cost less.

Myself, I use a single roller PhilMill. This tears up the husks even less than either of the mills you are looking at. It isn't as sexy looking and takes longer to mill the grain, about 2 pounds a minute but it is a whole lot cheaper than the other mills. Listermann also puts a lifetime warranty of the thing. I bought mine used and when a bearing went out (damaged by a makeshift drill adapter), Dan fixed it for free even though I didn't buy it directly from him.

Wayne

[BadRock]

Don't know much about Monster Mills, They look great and probably are too.

I have a Barley Crusher and love it. I think for the cost and quality you can't beat it.

[SoCalBrewer]

+1 for the barley crusher

[BDawg]

I have a PhilMill2. I love it.

Every one of the people that I have either talked to or have responded to a "which mill" thread that already have a "name brand" mill love them. Yes, some have extra bells and whistles, but overall the quality name brand ones are quite close in result. Find one that fits your budget and go with it. It will do a good job for you.

Some of the more popular mills:
BarleyCrusher
CrankAndStein
MonsterMill
PhilMill

Then remember, "Crush 'em till you are scared."

HTH-

[noremorse1]

I would go with a cider mill. There is a lovely one in Franklin, Michigan. I am not sure it is for sale but, for the right price, anything is.

[SoCal Surfer]

I have a barley crusher which came all connected and hooked up. My buddy picked up a crank and stein (or whatever) and we had to fabricate and order all kinds of other shit. Get a fully assembled mill. I bought my barley crusher and was stoked because it was all assembled. I'm sure all the brands that people mentioned work well.

[dresselbrew]

I think any of the mills will work out fine. I have the crankandstein and it works great. Like so cal surfer said, you will need to fabricate things on some mills vs others. It all depends on what you are willing to do. I built a cabinet and motorized mine so I didn't mind getting the bare bones model cheaper.