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Home » Choosing the Best Grain Mill for Your Homestead

Choosing the Best Grain Mill for Your Homestead

Posted November 27, 2024
in Product Review

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If you are considering purchasing a grain mill for your homestead, then you are in the right place. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a home grain mill and what you should consider before making your purchase.

NutriMill Grain mill on a kitchen counter with two glass bowls of grain and flour.

To save you time, I’ve included popular home grain mills for you to compare in one place. I’ve even included some of my best grain milling tips and tricks to get you started on the right foot.

Why I Love My Grain Mill

Did you know that freshly milled flour is significantly more nutritious than store-bought? (Source) In my homemade sandwich bread recipe, I have already shared how baking your own bread can help you avoid unhealthy ingredients.

But as you master bread baking, understanding the health benefits of sourdough and baking with freshly milled flour will continue to increase the quality of your bread, providing a far superior product to its store-bought counterparts.

Homesteading Hack: If these concepts overwhelm you, I’ve got you covered! Check out my Art of Homemade Bread Class, where I break it all down into easy-to-understand lessons to help you achieve mastery in just days!

Not only are freshly milled grains more nutritious, they taste better, save money over time, and are a step towards increasing self sufficiency. However, many homesteaders hesitate to invest in a grain mill because they are overwhelmed by the choices out there.

I get it! Sourcing quality tools for our homestead is a priority, and we love to share with you what we learn along the way. You can find more of our purchasing guides here:

Whole grain in the top of a NutriMill Grain mill.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Grain Mill

Choosing the right grain mill can make all the difference in whether it is used regularly or just collects dust and takes up precious kitchen space.

Before making your purchase, consider what grains you would mill. There are several popular grain types to consider, each offering unique properties and uses:

Wheat – One of the most versatile grains, wheat is ideal for creating both bread and pastry flour. Its high protein content makes it perfect for baking bread, while lower-protein soft wheat is great for pastries and cakes.
Oats – Oats are cherished for their rich, nutty flavor and high fiber content. They are easy to mill and are often used to make oatmeal, granola, and cookies.
Rye – Rye is known for its robust flavor and is commonly used in baking traditional European breads. Its unique properties make it a favorable option for those seeking to diversify their flour options.
Ancient Grains – Experimenting with ancient or less common grain types can also be rewarding. Varieties like Spelt, Einkorn, and Emmer bring distinct flavors and enhanced nutritional benefits to baked goods.

Once you have identified what you want to mill, take into consideration these features that will suit how you would like to mill:

Feature	Considerations
Ease of Use	If your grain mill is too complicated for your lifestyle, you likely won’t use it often. Look for models that are simple to put together and use. Don’t forget to check the warranty and customer service.
Capacity	Depending on how often you bake, capacity will play into your choice. Consider how much room you have available as well. If you don’t need to grind a lot of flour at once, investing in a large-capacity mill will take up unnecessary space.
Budget	Grain mills have widely varying price points. Based on your needs, set a realistic budget and stick to it.
Power Source	The power source is important. Manual mills are available if you live off-grid or don’t want to rely on electricity.
Variable Texture Control	Modern grain mill technology includes variable texture control, which lets you change the flour’s coarseness or fineness. This is great for making everything from rustic whole-grain breads to delicate pastries.
Motor Capacity	The motor’s power is a big deal. A strong motor grinds grains well, even hard ones. Also, think about the noise level, especially if you enjoy living in a quiet place.
Ease of Cleaning	Cleaning a grain mill can be challenging. But choosing models with easy-clean features makes it simpler. Look for mills with parts that are easy to remove and few places where flour can get stuck.
Smart Milling Sensors	Advanced grain mill innovations include smart sensors. These ensure grains are milled perfectly every time. The sensors adjust speed and pressure to keep the flour’s nutritional value high.
Energy Efficiency	Grain mills that use less energy are good for your wallet and the planet. They help cut down on power costs without sacrificing performance.
Specialized Dietary Features	Certain features are very helpful for special dietary needs, like gluten-free or whole-food diets. Some grain mills are made to handle many grains and seeds, meeting different dietary needs.

Freshly milled flour in a glass bowl with measuring cup.

Home Grain Milling Tips and Hacks

There are some crucial principles to follow when grinding your own grains. To achieve the best possible results, follow these important tips:

Choose Quality Grains – Always purchase fresh grains from a reputable source. Grains must be clean and dry to keep your mill in top shape. We purchase many of our bulk products through Azure Standard. Homesteading Hack: If you’re a first-time Azure Standard customer, use coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15” at checkout for 15% off your order of $100 or more!
Preserve the Nutrients – Heat from the grinding process can destroy nutrients and gluten-forming proteins. To help keep flour from overheating, chill your grains in the freezer for a few hours (or overnight) before milling them.
Properly Store Your Grains – Store your grains in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot. For more on that, you can check out our post on how we use food storage barrels for long-term storage.
Keep Your Tools Clean – Clean your grain mill after every use and check the milling parts for debris. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance tips to protect your investment. Homesteading Hack: Running a small amount of uncooked rice through your mill is a great way to clean it quickly.
Be Patient – Don’t cut cycle times short. If you do, grains will remain in the stones (or plates), causing residue to build up.
Create Space – You likely won’t use your grain mill as often if you have to pull it from storage whenever you need it. Consider areas of your home where a designated space can be set up and ready to go.

Choosing the Best Grain Mill For You

Nutrimill Classic Grain Mill

NutriMill is the world’s most popular grain mill manufacturer, and the NutriMill Classic has been its #1 selling mill for over twenty years!

The NutriMill Classic electric grain mill uses a high-speed impact chamber (also called a micronizer) with stainless steel milling heads to create up to 20 cups of flour from grains and beans at a time.

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Homesteading Hack: Use that link and coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY” at checkout to get $20 off your purchase!

Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars (out of 257 reviews)

“Perfect. I use this multiple times a week and it’s super easy to use and quick to make the flour I need. My digestion is better, and I have made some of the most delicious breads and cookies from the flour milled with this machine. I’ve recommended it to all of my friends and family. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made.” – Nutrimill Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $299.00
Dimensions: 13″D x 11″W x 15″H
Weight: 13 lbs.
Color: White
Burr Material: Stainless Steel
Milling Rate for Bread Flour Texture: 17 oz/min
Power Source: Electric
Watts: 1200
Amps: 10
Warranty: Limited lifetime on burrs, motor, electronics, 5 yr. on other parts
Country of Manufacture: South Korea

Mockmill 100

After 40 years of developing stone grain and flour mills, Wolfgang Mock introduces the Mockmill 100. This mill is the ideal solution at an affordable price.

The Mockmill’s corundum-ceramic stones provide stay-sharp cutting surfaces that grind your grain without excess heat. Cleanup is minimal and quick. Access to the milling chamber requires no tools and takes just seconds.

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Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars (out of 11 reviews)

“I love my Mockmill. It can mill hard grain into very fine flour in one pass. It also has a very small footprint on my counter, so I’m able to leave it there and just easily mill any quantity of flour on demand.” – Mockmill Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $354.00
Dimensions: 8.7″D x 7.5″W x 15″H
Weight: 13.25 lbs.
Color: White
Burr Material: Ceramic-corundum
Milling Rate for Bread Flour Texture: 3.5 oz/min
Power Source: Electric
Watts: 360
Warranty: Limited 6 yr. Warranty
Country of Manufacture: Germany

Komo Mio Grain Mill

Inside the Mio’s sharp exterior is an exceptionally advanced, yet admirably simple, milling mechanism.

Precisely fitted corundum-ceramic burrs grind to any texture you choose, all by simply rotating the grain mill’s hopper to align with your choice on the front texture setting scale.

Their great advantage: A suspension between the grinding stones prevents the loud grinding noise of the stones in the “fine” position as soon as the grinding process is finished. In doing so, they protect the stones and your nerves.

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Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 Stars (out of 147 reviews)

“I previously was using my mom’s old stone grinder from the 70s, which grinds well, but it’s slow, super loud and very dusty. I went back and forth about which model to get and went with the Mio because of its tiny footprint on my baking counter. It is fast and no dust at all. Love it! I have used it for wheat, Spelt and rye so far, and I’m in love. It has taken my sourdough bread to another level!” – Pleasant Grain Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $339.00
Dimensions: 6.3″D x 6.5″W x 14.5″H
Weight: 15.5 lbs.
Color: Natural Wood w/Various Trim Options
Burr Material: Ceramic-corundum
Milling Rate for Bread Flour Texture: 8-9 oz/min
Power Source: Electric
Watts: 360
Warranty: Limited 12 yr. Warranty
Country of Manufacture: Austria

WonderMill

WonderMill’s mission statement is “The best can always be made better.”

This pursuit has earned WonderMill the world’s #1 rated grain mill, boasting that it has the quietest, cleanest, easiest to use, fastest, coolest, most powerful, and longest-lasting mill on the market.

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Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars (out of 237 reviews)

“I bake for a living and wanted to mill my own flour with as little effort as possible. This is the easiest, least complicated piece of equipment I’ve found. It mills so fast, and the finished product is amazing. For the price don’t wait if you’re considering purchasing the Wonder Mill. It mills beautiful flour that is healthy and nutritious.” – Pleasant Hill Grain Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $299.95
Dimensions: 8.5″D x 16.3″W x 12″H
Weight: 7.25 lbs.
Color: White
Burr Material: Stainless Steel
Milling Rate for Bread Flour Texture: 24 oz/min
Power Source: Electric
Watts: 1250
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Country of Manufacture: South Korea

Green Power Grain Mill

Green Power offers an affordable hand-cranked grain mill. It grinds any free-flowing, dry grain, including wheat, corn, rye, rice, quinoa and small beans.

The first pass creates a coarse product, and if pastry flour is desired, a second pass can achieve those results. Stainless steel grinding burrs are electrolytic polished, which gives the burrs a smooth, ultra-clean grinding surface.

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Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 Stars (out of 25 reviews)

“Really happy with our purchase of the Green Power Grain Mill. It performs well and is easy to use. We’ve milled a variety of custom hot cereals, and flours and have been able to glean our own psyllium too. A great investment for our homestead.” – Lehman’s Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $299.95
Dimensions: 14″H, 12″ Flywheel
Weight: 29 lbs.
Color: Green
Burr Material: Stainless Steel
Power Source: Hand crank, but can be motorized (sold separately)
Base Attachment: Four pre-drilled holes in the base of the mill allow for easy bolting.
Warranty: Limited 1-Year
Country of Manufacture: China

Diamant Grain Mill

The Diamant Grain Mill is a great choice if you are looking for quality built to last several generations. After analyzing dozens of grain mills, our friends at Lehman’s say this one emerged head and shoulders above the rest.

Corn, beans and most oily materials can be ground without using a special auger. It also grinds all grains, many spices, legumes, beans, nuts (except peanuts) and seeds without changing burrs! This sturdy workhorse is designed for ease of use and minimal maintenance.

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Average Customer Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 Stars (out of 16 reviews)

“I have been watching this Mill for over a year, just waiting, and saving, for a moment when I was willing to part with the small fortune it costs. Well, that time in 2016, and I am happy to say this Mill has not been a disappointment. This is certainly an item that I will be enjoying for years after I have forgotten how much it cost.” – Lehman’s Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $999.99
Dimensions: 14″H, 16″ V-belt pulley
Weight: 58 lbs.
Color: Green
Burr Material: Cast Iron
Power Source: Hand crank, but can be motorized (sold separately)
Base Attachment: Four pre-drilled holes in the base of the mill allow for easy bolting.
Warranty: Limited 1-Year
Country of Manufacture: Europe (Castings proudly made in Lviv, Ukraine)

Grainmaker^® Model No. 99

If sourcing quality products made in the USA is a priority on your homestead, then GrainMaker fits the bill. Grainmaker Mills^® are individually handcrafted in Montana with hard work, attention to detail and a commitment to quality.

Their mills are built to last for generations so that you can share the benefits of wholesome, healthy food with the ones you love. Each part of their mills, from the augers to the grinding burrs, is made on-site so they can back the quality with their Heirloom Guarantee.

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“This is a fine piece of equipment that is built to last! I opened the box, mounted the machine and started milling, all within 30 minutes. Once I got the proper setting it took a very short time to make flour. I wish everything that I bought was designed and built as well at my Grainmaker Mill^®! – Grainmaker Customer Review

Specifications

Price: $999.99
Dimensions: 13.3/4″H, 12” W, 10 ⅛” D with a 12″ V-belt flywheel pulley
Weight: 23 lbs 10 oz
Color: Red
Burr Material: Stainless Steel
Power Source: Hand crank, but can be motorized or used with a geared bicycle (sold separately.)
Base Attachment: Four pre-drilled holes in the base of the mill allow for easy bolting.
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Country of Manufacture: USA

A 55 gallon food barrel of wheat berries.

Your Home Milling Journey

As you can see, choosing a grain mill requires some forethought and, for most budgets, some savings.

While you are deciding on (or saving for) the right grain mill for your homestead, I want to encourage you that there is a middle ground you can choose between home-milled flour and poor-quality flour from the grocery store.

Wheat Montana boasts they are “best of the West” for good reason. They are committed to providing a superior product in their non-GMO, stone-ground flour free of preservatives.

If you are looking for an organic option, Janie’s Mill is a great source. They are proud to have three third-party independent certification seals determining that they comply with specific requirements for their organic and kosher products’ safety, quality, and provenance.

FAQ

What are the benefits of home milling?

Home milling keeps more nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber in your flour. It also brings out better flavors than store-bought flours. Plus, you control the quality and where your ingredients come from, which is good for your health and peace of mind.

What should I consider before purchasing a grain mill?

Think about the power source (manual or electric), how much flour it can make, and its size. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and the brand’s reputation. These factors will help you choose the right grain mill for you.

Do grain mills produce different flour quality?

Yes, flour quality changes with the type of grain mill. Stone mills and high-speed mills make different types of flour. Picking the right mill can really affect your baking.

Which grains can I mill at home?

You can mill wheat, oats, and rye at home. These grains are great for making different types of flour. They add unique textures and tastes to your baking. You can also try milling ancient or rare grains for more variety.

What features should I look for in a home grain mill?

Look for mills that let you control the flour texture, are easy to clean, and have new tech like smart sensors. Features that match your dietary needs or baking style can make milling better.

Are grain mills worth the investment?

Many think grain mills are a good buy because they save money in the long run and can improve health. People often say they’re happy with their milling experience and feel it’s worth it.

How do I choose the best grain mill for my needs?

Check the mill’s power, noise level, and how easy it is to use. Look at the warranty and customer service too. Read through the tips and suggestions in this post for more detailed information.

Do you have any tips for home milling?

Keep your grains fresh by storing and preparing them right. Learn how to get the flour texture you want. Also, keep your mill in good shape to make it last longer.

Which grain mill produces the finest flour?

Stone mills and high-speed mills are often praised for making fine flour. Reading reviews and comparing models can help you find the best one for your baking.