Manual Grain Grinders

I’ve been thinking about a manual grinder for grains, that if it can handle more (nuts, spices, etc.) great. Real key is to have something that is easy to use, adjustable, and can handle a variety of grains. So, I’m asking you what you think of the following, or if you have a better suggestion based on experience. If it is something that can be added to the wish list, so much the better.

This grinder seems to get a lot of praise, and can even be motorized with an accessory kit. Pricey, but if it works and lasts…

This hand grinder and its electric sibling also get good reviews. I like the idea of stone or ceramic grinders for a lot of reasons.

This one looks to be identical to the very first one, though less expensive. Anyone have any experience with it?

This one is very inexpensive, but tin plating worries me. Anyone try it?

Finally, another that can be electrified. I wouldn’t mind having that option.

Feel free to list others that work for you in the comments. For a number of reasons, want to stay manual though being able to motorize is a big plus for me. What are your thoughts?

UPDATE: Thanks to a comment by RCPete, I’m adding this, which is the first referenced grinder in cast iron. Will last decades longer than the aluminum, and should withstand any emergency. Much higher cost, but is effectively multi-generational. Sounds like a plan to me. Thoughts?

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10 thoughts on “Manual Grain Grinders”

    1. Once I know what to look for, will be checking there and Craigslist. 🙂

  2. Ed Nisley over at softsolder dot com has mentioned his motorized grain mill. It’s a Diamant 525. He’s said it’s been in use for 4+ decades with success, though it’s considerably more expensive than the others at $999:

    https://www.lehmans.com/product/diamant-grain-mill/

    My wife grinds brown rice for our gluten-free baking (not to be trendy; she’s allergic to the stuff and I’m merely “intolerant” of the stuff. [Sentences describing the uncontrolled emissions from both ends of the GI tract deleted.]). We use a grain mill attachment for a KitchenAid stand mixer. I’ve had to rebuild the power train once; the original lubrication didn’t assume anybody would grind that much. OTOH, once things were properly lubricated, no further problems. Parts for the KitchenAid can be found on line; we just ordered a replacement beater for the 20 year old old one that was starting to crack. (GF bread can be sturdy…) The ground rice is a bit coarse, and my wife says that white rice seems to be too hard to grind successfully. We don’t use enough brown rice flour to justify getting a big bag of the stuff, so she grinds a gallon at a time. That way, it stays fresh.

    Not sure what the total cost would be, but if you are doing a lot of bread, the KitchenAid route might be worth the investment. We can’t use the dough hook, but that should be fine for bread. FWIW, Costco usually has the stand mixer in stock.

    1. Thanks for sharing that! Will look into the Diamant. Sadly, the very latest Kitchen Aids appear to have switched from metal gears to plastic, and am hearing of many, many issues. May look into finding an older one, as the attachements, like grinders, are helpful. Also looking into other stand mixers, hoping to find something commercial grade used somewhere. Looks like a lot of bread and other delights in my future. Will be sharing my first experiment with Dijon-style mustard here soon. Great info and thanks again for sharing!

  3. No reviews on amazon; not sure it’s structural enough–but this looks like a reasonable replica of ancient hand grain mills.

    https://www.amazon.com/bluestone-suitable-barley-millstone-diameter-Stainless/dp/B0BKZZ1K2X/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=v6fIg&content-id=amzn1.sym.352fa4e9-2aa8-47c3-b5ac-8a90ddbece20%3Aamzn1.symc.40e6a10e-cbc4-4fa5-81e3-4435ff64d03b&pf_rd_p=352fa4e9-2aa8-47c3-b5ac-8a90ddbece20&pf_rd_r=9SCYMRJMQWR89TM065CN&pd_rd_wg=BCpsx&pd_rd_r=251eb4c1-14a3-463d-ad95-d223d5debb98&pd_rd_i=B0BKZZ1K2X

  5. I have 2 grain mills. My first purchase was the Wonder Jr referenced above. Extremely well made and durable. It is a tank; you could pass it on to your grandchildren. I used it exclusively to grind wheat berries and it takes about 20 minutes to grind 4 cups of flour (enough for a 2 lb loaf). I keep it now for emergency use.

    After a year of making bread every week, I got the Wondermill Electric Grain Mill. Also an excellent product, it reduces a 20 minute job to 10 seconds or so. Amazing.

    I’d also like to say a word about Pleasant Hill Grain Company, as you pasted their web site into your post. This is a truly excellent company! Great customer service and they stand behind their products. It’s a pleasure during business with Pleasant Hill; my highest recommendation! Please know that I do not work for Pleasant Hill, don’t know anyone who works there, and I made all of my purchases with my own money.

    1. Good to know, and thanks for sharing. Very glad to hear your comments on PHGC too. Thank you.

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