What Is a Grain Mill?

The Health Benefits of Grain Mills Commercially processed flours sacrifice vitamins for shelf life and convenience. Manufacturers enrich flours with vitamins B1, B2, iron, and niacin, but this does not make up for over 25 essential vitamins that are sacrificed when the bran and germ portions of the wheat are removed. By milling your own flour, you keep those essential vitamins in your diet. Manual vs. Electric You can also grind spices, coffee, and seeds with grain mills. Electric grain mills are fast and almost effortless. With a manual grain mill, grinding flour for your daily bread can be a bit of a workout. Some grinders take five minutes to grind two cups of flour. Look for an electric grain mill with maximum power for the big jobs, and keep a manual grain mill around for little jobs.

Types of Grain Mills
Stone grain mills have two circular grinding stones. One stone is stationary, and the other stone turns against it. Channels cut into the stone direct the path of the grain. Stone grain mills are extremely durable, and the grinding stones are relatively maintenance-free. The mill adjusts to settings from cracked wheat to fine flour, but grinds slower than impact grinders and performs poorly with oil-bearing nuts or seeds.

Burr grain mills give exact results. The grinding wheel is made of steel with small tooth-like burrs that shear the grain into flour. Grinding oil-bearing nuts, seeds, and coffee are actually good for this grain mill, and it grinds flour almost as finely as stone grain mills.

Impact grain mills have circular rows of blades on metal wheels. One wheel turns against a stationary wheel as the rows of the blades engage in close proximity. The rotating wheel turns at thousands of RPMs, crushing the grain as it is fed onto the fixed wheel. Impact grain mills are electric and compact; they produce fine flour and grind quickly. This grinder is a bit noisy, and small rocks can damage the wheels.