5 Best Manual Grain Mills For Freshly Ground Flour

‍Nothing is better than freshly baked bread, especially from flour you’ve just ground. What are the five best manual grain mills for freshly ground flour?

The five best manual grain mills for freshly ground flour are

• Victoria Manual Grain Grinder
• Country Living Grain Mill
• Corona Corn and Grain Mill
• WonderMill Jr.
• Hullwrecker 2 Roller

I believe every food prepper ought to know how to grind grain into flour. Whether it is for being prepared against a future emergency or to begin to brew your brand of beer, a manual grain mill can come in very handy. Many preppers use freshly ground flour to embrace a holistic approach to their lives.  As a writer of all things survival-related, and a friend of a home-based beer maker, I think it's essential to know which manual grinder is best. Not all grain mills are made for the same purpose, and there are some advantages to choosing the right one. I've searched the Internet for suggestions.

‍What are the Advantages of a Grain Mill?

There are several reasons a person would want to mill their flour at home rather than purchase it from the store.

Fresh Milled Flour Has Better Nutritional Value

In less than a day, freshly ground flour loses about half its nutritional value, which is why the bread often bought at the store is enriched with iron and other vitamins. But milling the whole grain of a wheat kernel (also called a wheat berry) incorporates the entire kernel's nutrients and vitamins. This method is precisely how our forefathers did it when they milled the wheat they were growing in the pastures behind their homes.

Freshly Milled Flour Reduces Waste

Grinding flour by hand means that there is less carbon footprint. Instead of buying bread and baked goods made by factories that are huge energy consumers, millers have zero energy usage when grinding. So buying freshly made flour is not just good for the environment. It can help a family pay their bills.

Freshly Milled Flours are in High Demand

As interest in long-term survival skills increases all across the country, the demand for grinder mills and freshly ground flours seems more vital than ever. Many preppers buy their grains from retailers in bulk, grinding the kernels and then packaging and selling them at fairs, flea markets, and online.

This endeavor can be a great way to begin a side hustle to supplement income in a world where inflation continues to eat into family budgets.

Freshly Milled Flours offer a Natural Taste.

No question, freshly ground flours bring a unique and authentic taste to the bread, cakes, and other baked goods. Because the whole kernel is often used and is full of nutrition, the flour will have a more complex taste than store-bought enriched flour. Many bakers prefer the aroma and the taste that freshly ground flours produce.

Is a Grain Mill Used in Home Brewing of Beer?

The answer is yes. One of the advantages of having a home-based grinder is the freedom and ability to grind your grains. Many home brewers find that owning a grinder means buying their wheat bulk, saving considerable time and money. Local brewing groups and co-ops will make more significant purchases to decrease prices.

A grain mill also allows each brewer to control how fine a powder they want for their particular batch. If a brewer wants a more delicate, almost flour-like consistency to brew with, they simply have to turn an adjustment on their grinder rather than giving instructions to a store grinder and hoping for the best.

If you are a severe brewer who loves having the freedom to home-brew beer that you love to sell as a side hustle, a grain grinder is an absolute must. In addition, it is a perfect way to charge other brew-masters so that they can grind their barley, wheat, or malt and don’t have to pay someone from a store to do it. This method can be an excellent way to save them money and also earn some additional income for the person with the grinder.

What are the Five Best Manual Grain Mills for Ground Flour?

Here are our choices for the best manual grinders and why we love them.

Victoria Manual Grain Grinder

This all-purpose grinder mounts on the side of the countertop, with a non-slip rubber gasket to protect the surface of the kitchen counter. Made from cast iron with a double tin coating, it will not rust and makes for easier cleaning. Not only can you grind grain, but other things like corn, vegetables, cooked meats, and other items. The grinder allows you several powder consistencies. Just turn the adjustment screw. The grinder has a 4.4 rating and is one of Amazon’s best choices.

Victoria cast iron is the producer of the manual grain grinder from a company headquartered in the country of Colombia. Since 1939, the owner saw a need for rural families to be able to grind and use their grains as a means of survival. Victoria makes various cast iron pans, molds, and dutch ovens. The grinder was their first offering, and it is widely popular.

Pros

• Flexible grinding levels
• Mounts to Counter with rubber grip.
• Ability to grind various nuts, vegetables, cooked meats, and grains.
• Very reasonably priced.
• Free returns if purchased through Amazon.

Cons

• Foreign-made
• Returns through Amazon.
• It stands up a bit bulky on the kitchen countertop.

See the manufacturer's website or check out Amazon for Today’s Price for more information.

Country Living Grain Mill

This grain mill is a large grinder with a 2lb hopper to ground a good amount of flour. The grinder is aluminum cast and resistant to rust corrosion. In addition, there are two ball bearings for the specific grinding instead of bushings used by other manufacturers. The grinder offers an adjustable level of how fine flour you want. The grinder comes with a lifetime warranty, and the 12-inch flywheel is easy to maneuver and requires less energy than most competitors. It is slightly bit expensive compared to other grinders. Still, its mobile ability makes it easy to transport should you need to relocate your supplies or perform the grinding operation. The easy disassembly allows for more effective cleaning. The grinding mill has a one-year warranty and a 15-day return policy if the unit is in pristine condition.

The company is headquartered in the small community of Stanwood, WA (about 50 miles north of Seattle) and sits in some of the most beautiful country in the continental US. The grinding mill is one of the company’s best sellers, and many positive reviews are on its website. The

Pros

• A sizeable grinding plate means more grain is ground
• Easy disassemble
• Made of aluminum casting
• Must be secured to a table before grinding
• Ability to grind various foods.
• Made in the USA

Cons

• More expensive
• Returns are only honored two weeks from purchase.
• It stands up a bit bulky on the kitchen countertop
• It needs to be screwed to a workbench for the best stability

For more information, see the manufacturer's website or check out Amazon for Today’s Price.

Corona Corn & Grain Mill

This traditional corn and grain grinder is a countertop unit that clamps to any kitchen surface. It is reasonably priced and made of cast iron for increased durability. The unit dusts off for easy cleaning and has a nice-sized hopper. One of the best benefits of this unit is its five-year warranty. This unit is a bestseller on Amazon and the recipient of many favorable user reviews.

The company is headquartered out of Colombia and specializes in grinders that have been in use all over South America. The grinder is durable and will grind just about anything.

Pros

• Countertop unit
• Easy disassemble
• Made of cast iron - tin plate covering
• Ability to grind various foods.
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Made in Colombia.

See the manufacturer’s website or Amazon for Today’s Price for more information.

WONDERMILL™ JUNIOR DELUXE PLUS GRAIN MILL

This bright red grinder is a table or counter-mounted but very stable. It has a versatile tunnel design for easy fill-up and cleaning. It is made with stainless steel and has an extra double solid clamp grip that won’t scar the countertops. Due to its size of intake and output, it will grind faster than most competitors. The unit is mid-priced and is a perfect choice for beginners.

The unit is manufactured in India and sold by several US dealers. In addition, there are several instructional videos on the website about grinding flour and baking with it. The Internet site is very user-friendly, with the company trying hard to put any customer fears at rest.

Pros

• Countertop unit
• Made of Stainless steel
• Wide configurations bot in bin and mouth
• Ability to grind various foods.
• Moderately priced

Cons

• Made in India, sold through US dealers.

For more information, check out the manufacturer's website or Amazon for Today’s Price.

Hullwrecker® 2-roller Grain Mill & Base

Hellwrecker is a favorite grinder with craft brewers, but it can also handle grain. With an extra large bin, it can handle any type of grain. The unit is designed to sit perfectly on top of a five-gallon bucket, making storage in a prep pantry very convenient. The unit is moderately priced and receives many 5-star reviews.

The company opened its business in 1995 as a craft beer accessory provider. Today, the company sells throughout the globe, and many beer enthusiasts swear by the products. Operating centers on both coasts can ship directly to a home in a matter of days.

Pros

• Wide entry bin - holds up to 7 lbs
• Made of Stainless steel
• It sits easily on a 5-gallon bucket
• Ability to grind various foods.
• Moderately priced

Cons

• A bit cumbersome for kitchen use.

See the manufacturer’s website or Amazon for Today’s Price for more information.

What Should I Look For in Purchasing a Grinder?

There are several factors to consider when purchasing a grain mill.

Size of the Grain Mill

Manual grain mills come in all sizes. It is crucial to figure out what size of grinder you might require. Is grinding flour going to be a daily thing that you are considering turning into a business, or is it just a pastime to use when baking fresh bread now and then? The last thing you want is to purchase a more prominent grain mill that takes up too much space and becomes a nuisance where you put it.

Price of the Grain Mill

Smaller grain mills can be purchased for less than $100, while more industrial or commercial grinders will cost several hundred. Don’t invest in the high-end grinder unless you sincerely desire to bake or brew. Many preppers or home-brewers are using their grain mills as a side hustle to make money but charging others for the use of the grinder.

Space for the Grain Mill

You should choose an appropriate space to put your grain mill. Most applications find that using a well-ventilated space (outdoors or in a room with a suction fan) is best because of the dust that milling produces. (Believe me, you will get annoyed when you use a large grinder in your kitchen).

Another consideration is where you will store the wheat berries when not in use or awaiting the grinder and where and how you will store the wheat flour. Most preppers find that a designated, dry, insect, or rodent-free area is best. It is best to store bulk wheat kernels away from other foodstuffs, as friendly creatures like squirrels and mice also love to munch on the wheat kernels.

Support for a Grain Mill

As companies seem to indicate that you can use a grinder connected to your kitchen countertop (and you can), you will probably not want to. The reason is dust, and the grinder (if not used often) just gets in the way of everything else. Many preppers have built unique tables to affix their grain mill to and find that grinding into a sealable bucket makes storage simple and easy.

Supply of Whole Grains for the Mill

A potential prepper should check the supply of wheat kernels or other seeds before purchasing a grinder. While you can order your seeds online and have them shipped directly to the home, that is sometimes an expensive alternative. Explore the possibility of home-brewing groups or survival groups in your area, and see if they purchase in bulk at certain times of the year. Doing research ahead of time can save money and wasted effort.

Time and Energy for Grain Mill Work

Grinding grain into flour requires several things, mainly time and energy. While plenty of electric grain mills are on the market, they do not help in an emergency situation. It will be useless if the power grid fails, as convenient as an electrically powered grain mill might be.

That being said, grinding grain manually means a prepper must be willing to invest the energy and time to do so. The average loaf of bread takes about six cups of flour to bake, and a manual grinder can produce that amount in about 30 minutes. This hobby is not the one to pursue if the schedule is already jam-packed with commitments and career obligations. It is also not the survival trait to pursue if there are physical limitations because it involves rotating a handle for about twenty to thirty minutes straight.

Due to the grain mill's nature, many grinders will have to be disassembled and cleaned after every use. It is essential to keep the mill clean so as not to get contaminants and insects into the batches of flour that are planned to be used. The setup and the breakdown can also require additional time and dedication to the task.