If you can’t afford one of the better models, get a cheaper one, buy two or three of the cheaper models, that way if one breaks and can’t be repaired you have spares to fall back on.
This goes along with my philosophy of the rule of three. Always have at least three independent sources of any survival necessity. Never put all your eggs in one basket, to many things can happen, leaving you with nothing. Which is what we are trying to avoid by prepping in the first place.
While I can’t give recommendations on all the models currently available, because I haven’t use them all, I can tell you what I have and my thoughts on these, which should at least get you started in the right direction. I currently own three different grain mills, a Corona Landers , Back to Basics and Grizzly H7775
Corona Landers Mill
I love this mill. It is strong, robust and well made. This is the mill I use most often to grind grains and beans here at the homestead kitty.
The Corona is a hand cranked unit that uses rotating steel burrs to crack and grind corn, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds.
It is machined from cast-iron parts with an electrol-tinned finish to guarantee a rust-proof and easy to clean utensil. I give it my highest recommendation.
Back To Basics Mill
This mill works well and is actually very easy to use. My main complaint is the small hopper, that needs to be refilled after a few cranks of the handle. It is light weight when compared to the Corona and I don’t think it would stand up as well to continued usage.
Grizzly H7775 Mill
This mill it is not my first choice, but it beats the crap out of having nothing at all. It sits low on the table, low enough that getting a large enough bowl under the head to catch the flour is difficult, but then I have this same problem when using the Corona, this is the main reason I use a homemade sifter to catch the grindings.
My other complaint is the small hopper, refilling it every few cranks can be an annoyance, at least for me. On the plus side the grinder is efficient and the grinding plates are easily adjusted to the desired consistency.
While this is a fairly good mill it is not of the quality of the Corona, but then it is half the price so buying two or more is an option.
Country Living Mill
While I don’t own one of these mills they are given the highest recommendations by those that do. A recent advertisement proclaims:
“The Country Living Grain Mill is one of the highest quality grain mills ever made. You could drop it on the floor, and it would likely hurt the floor more than the grain mill. The Country Living Grain Mill is one of those high quality items that could be passed on to the next generation.”
Not owning one myself, I need to look to my readers for advice. If you own one of these mills please let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Related:
Food Storage Prep
{ 9 comments }
Alright…I've got to say it. My wife and I are kind of stupid about grains and homemade baking. We are city people (actually suburbs people) and bread has always come from the store. We are prepping and are lucky enough to have had hobbies that lend themselves well to survival preperation (hiking, camping, a lot of shooting and gun collecting, coin collecting and biking). We've got about 2 months supply of noodles,vitamins, MRE's and freeze dried Mt House meals but I want to start putting away grains because it's obvious this is the best solution.
Here's the thing. We have never used a grain mill, baked bread (that wasn't already mixed) or cooked anything other than hotdogs and burgers over a fire. This is not a good situation and we are very grid dependent. So anyway…how about a grinding and cooking video for dummmies.
BTW, we aren't totally clueless. We do have a bugout location with family in the country and hopefully we will bring something to the table if needed. That something will be enough guns to arm 6 people, plenty of ammo, an extremely nice first aid kit (the size of a large tool box), cold weather gear, duece gear and a few months supply of food. Of course this is dependent on clear roads. At home we have propane (a decent amount) and a pretty good amount of wood. We are not total idiots about prepping but we are very gear heavy and not very informed about homemade cooking. This will be remidied over the next several weeks.
Again…how about a good cooking vid for those that have never made a stew that wasn't dehydrated over a campfire. How about a bread baking video?
Thanks.
I had a similar situation. Supplies and skills outside the house but not the stuff M.D is talking about. Started baking bread about a month ago. A 53 years old man… Got stares from my wife but she said go ahead.. I hate working with yeast. You tube has hundreds of vids on storing and dehydrating foods. Also, LDS has “Bishops houses” all over the country. The will sell bulk items to non church members. They are very good and kind people and advised me on what to get to start. I picked up several hundred pounds of long term items for very reasonable prices. Some of houses offer teach you to dry can your purchases in #10 cans and have all the supplies. Not all, I had to go the the one 2 hours away but it was well worth the trip. Filled my pickup with supplies.
Anonymous 1:14 AM,
A great book and one that I think you would find useful is Cookin' with Home Storage
.
we have an antique old country store grinder, works great should last forever. To the bread questions above a ggod palce to start is a bread machine, and grinder. Experiment, find good combinations then practice by hand. Larger hole grains seem to need more mosture to work right.
jdmax
I've been milling my own wheat and baking bread for over 10 years now, but I use an electric Nutrimill. I'm a city girl too, but this bread is so delicious and nutritious it should be called something other than bread – it doesn't compare to store bought. Easy instructions on http://www.urbanhomemaker.com or google "breadbeckers". I also stored some crappy white flour just to bake cookies with, etc., so cheap at Sams Club and I put it in a good grade 6 gallon bucket.
We are elderly and live in fairbanks alaska
where it gets 50 below at times in the winter,so
we have always been living on the edge of survival for 58 years now. Never went total
survival as have lived and worked until retirement, close to town. We have food storage
of wheat, rice, powdered milk, beans, honey and other basics. The best storage Ive found is the 55 gal metal barrels with lid that clamps on.
Put a plastic liner and bingo you have storage
insect proof and bear proof. One thing most
people dont put much thought to when planning
for emergencys is cookinh. Oh yes you can cook on top of a stove, but take it from me you
really need an oven if you want to bake bread
and anything else. Im a firm believer that my
wood cookstove is one of my most valuable items
I have. I have the waterford stanley made in
ireland that has a cast iron oven and a great
baker. Just a few observations from the old
codger in alaska.
I kind of got lost in my enthusiam over my wood
stove and forgot grain mills was the topic.We
has an electric magic mill years ago when the kids were little and it was first class. Not
really baking much anymore and only thinking of
emergency or the power goes out we bought lehmans
best hand grinder with stone burrs. Got to admit
we have never used it, but using hand grinders
in the past Im sure it will do the job. Also
have a couple old hand grinders in the basement
I picked up in antique shops with cast iron burrs
for cracked ceral. My advice for those with
large familys who bake lots of bread, go for the
electric if you can afford it. Just occasional
bakers or for emergencies a hand grinder should
do fine. Greetings from the old codgers in alaska.
As an aside – you can bake some mighty fine bread in a Dutch oven with nothing but charcoal for fuel.
On topic – Get yourself an electric mill for day-to-day usage. You’ll be more likely to use self ground flour if it is easy to make. Keep the hand crank one on standby for when you don’t have an option.
Yes you have mentioned it correct. Sometimes we make silly mistakes by not judging much what we are buying and when it is about grains we have to be more careful.
Oat Roller
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