Bread Making Machine Advices

Which grain mill is best?

Grain mills are great for those who like to bake their own bread,
or who want to build up their emergency preparedness supplies. However,
not all grain mills are created equal. Identifying the right mill
depends on the desired use you have for it. Some may only use it on
occasion or keep in storage for emergencies, while others may use it
everyday. Hand and electric mills vary in price; some may even come as
low as $50. However, every consumer should be aware of the pros and cons
of each machine. Buying a less expensive machine may require a sacrifice
in quality. And particularly when it comes to emergencies, you can not
afford to have an unreliable grain mill.

What is a grain mill?

A grain mill is a machine that, through electricity or manual
power, grinds or rolls grains to make flakes or flour. Many mills can
also process spices. Some typical dry grains that mills refine are as
follows: wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn and beans. Most grain mills are
not made to process grains that are oily or wet (seeds, nuts and the
like). Each grain mill has either a stone or steel mill head that is in
direct contact with the grains. Unprocessed grains are placed into a bin
called a hopper. The grains are then processed by the mill head. Many
grain mills have a storage container where the materials can fall after
being processed.

What is the difference between an electric grain mill and a hand
mill? An electric grain mill is one that requires electricity to run. It
is typically louder and more expensive than a hand mill, but it
processes grains much faster. Most electric mills can be adjusted to
produce varying levels of flour fineness; most electric mills do not
produce cracked wheat.

A hand grinder is one that does not require electricity, but is
powered by manually turning a handle. Each model differs in the amount
of physical energy required to use the mill. Hand mills are typically
less expensive than electric mills, and are often bought for emergency
purposes (because they do not require electricity to function).

What to look for

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When purchasing a grain mill, some experts say you should consider
several things: quality of the parts, quality of the rolled or ground
product, longevity of the entire mill and individual parts, warranty
coverage, ease of grinding (especially as it pertains to hand mills) and
the capacity of the hopper (the bin that receives the unprocessed
grain). Your specific needs will determine what you look for most in a
mill.

Here are the specifics on some popular models that will help you
decide which mill is best for you.

Wondermill Electric Grain Mill

Hand or electric mill: Electric Grains this mills processes: Dry
grains only, such as various types of wheat, 14-grain mix, various types
of beans, rice, amaranth, oats, popcorn kernels, various spices and
yellow lentils.

Bestfeature: Grinds faster and quieter than comparable electric
mills.

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Greatest drawback: Comes in two pieces, which can be inconvenient
and hard to clean.

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty (Warranty for life of the
milling house, six years on parts and labor.)

Cost: $259.95

Wondermill Junior Hand Mill

Hand or electric mill: Hand

Grains this mills processes: Dry and oily/wet grains, such as
various types of nuts, various types of beans, various types of wheat,
rice, cinnamon sticks, dried coconut, rye, yellow lentils, tapioca
pearls, various types of spices and sunflower seeds.

Best feature: Has both a stainless steel and stone processors for

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milling both dry and oily grains (the stone is for the dry grains; the
stainless steel is for oily or "wet" grains).

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Greatest drawback: Requires a lot of manpower to turn the handle
when it is on the "finer grind" setting; a $50 pulley can be
purchased separately for easier handle turning.

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty (Warranty for life of the
milling house, six years on parts and labor.)

Cost: $219.95

Country Living Grain Mill

Hand or electric mill: Hand

Grains this mill processes: Dry grains and legumes, including
wheat, corn, beans, peas, amaranth.

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Best feature: Can produce very fine flour the first time the grain
goes through the mill. By separately purchasing a power bar, milling
will be easier. The Country Living Grain Mill can also be hooked up to a
stationary bike for easier, faster milling. A v-belt can be purchased
separately at a hardware store.

Greatest drawback: Requires a permanent location in your home
because of the need to be bolted or clamped to a sturdy surface.

Warranty: Lifetime warranty on all parts of the machine but the
grinding plates (the grinding plates have a one-year warranty).

Cost: $409

Marga Hand Grain Mill

Hand or electric mill: Hand

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Grains this mill processes: Dry grains such as oats, wheat, rye,
rice and other cereals and bran.

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Best feature: Produces flakes of grains, making it ideal for use as
a whole-grain cereal roller.

Greatest drawback: Does not produce fine flour (only produces
flakes and very coarse flour).

Warranty: Guaranteed for three years from the date of purchase
against any manufacturing defect.

Cost: $120

Nutrimill Electric Grain Mill

Hand or electric mill: Electric Grains this mill processes: Dry
grains such as wheat (hard and soft), buckwheat, split peas, rice, rye,
millet, dried lentils, dried sweet corn, dried pinto beans, dried green
beans, dried mung beans, legumes (generally), dried garbanzo beans,
quinoa, oat groats, spelt, barley, soybeans, chick peas and kamut.

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Best feature: Does not require turning it on before inserting
grains (thereby reducing the risk of the machine jamming). Also has a
20-cup bowl capacity.

Greatest drawback: It is bulky and tall, which makes it difficult
to store.

Warranty: Lifetime warranty on milling heads, one-year warranty on
parts

Cost: $269.95

As previously stated, the grain mill you choose should be a
reflection of the purpose you have in mind. If emergency preparedness is
your goal, a hand grain mill may be more suitable for your needs. If

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your plans are to use it in everyday cooking, you may want to consider a
faster-processing electric grain mill.

Currently, all above grinders are sold by Preparedness Plus
Products, LLC, and can be ordered by calling 1-800-588-5412, or visiting
www.preparednessplus.net.

(All information acquired from manufacturers and preparedness
companies.)

Victorio Hand Grain Mill

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Hand or electric mill: Hand Grains this mill processes: Spices and
dry grains, such as wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, non-oily seeds and
peppercorns.

Best feature: Produces fine, bread-quality flour (higher quality
than store-bought flour).

Greatest drawback: Requires a lot of manpower to turn the handle,
difficult to adjust settings.

Warranty: Guaranteed for two years against defects in materials and
workmanship.

Cost: $79.99

Back to Basics Grain Mill

Hand or electric mill: Hand

Grains this mills processes: Spices and dry grains, like wheat,
corn, oats and barley.

Best feature: Produces fine, bread-quality flour (higher quality
than store-bought flour).

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Greatest drawback: Requires a lot of manpower to turn the handle,
difficult to adjust settings.

Warranty: Two-year warranty on stainless steel mill head. Cost:
$79.99 Note: Because this model is frequently on backorder, Preparedness
Plus does not sell it anymore.

Family Grain Mill

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Hand or Electric Mill: Hand, but can be motorized

Grains this mills processes: Dry grains, such as wheat, oats, rice,
rye, barley, flax, millet, coffee and spelt.

Best feature: Main piece can be attached to the Bosch Universal
Plus bread maker for electric use.

Greatest drawback: Will not process popcorn, requires consumer
knowledge of the machine in order to use.

Warranty: Five-year warranty for manufacturer defects.

Cost: $139.95

BY LAUREN CLARK

PREPAREDNESS PLUS PRODUCTS, LLC

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