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Farm Kitchen:  Favorite grain mill?  |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6707 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6707 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 19 2011 : 04:43:07 AM
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Heike- I just recently bought my first hand grinder from The Retsel Corporation which is located in Idaho. They offer monthly specials and if you send a check, the shipping is free. The one I purchased was the Uni-Ark and the special came with both stone and stainless steel grinders. It works beautifully and I am enjoying it very much. If you wish to see a photo of it, go to the section on farm kitchen and look back into early August where I made a post under "my new grain grinder" and you will see a photo of what I have. One thing I would say is that depending on how much bread you will be making a week, you might need an electric one. We just use 1 loaf a week so the hand grinder is fine but it is a work-out!! Good luck and let us know what you finally come up with. Making bread this way is incredible!! The taste is amazing!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2011 : 07:59:20 AM
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Hi Winnie,
what a beautiful RED grinder :). My kitchen is red....Thanks for sending me to this post. I never even thought of the fact that I will have to change the way I think/bake to accommodate the flour. We actually only eat homemade bread, and need at least 4 loaves a week, more when my mom is visiting. I "am" training for an obstacle race next year, so this could be my arm strength training :).
Thanks,
Heike
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"One girl's trash is another girl's treasure."
http://www.mygypsymarket.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
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caitlinsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
86 Posts
Kim
St.A
Idaho
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 8:48:46 PM
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I have a KitchenTec (sp?) flour mill. I love it! It easily can handle all that I have thrown at it (except for the flax seeds, lol always read the do's and don'ts before grinding lol). It has a variety of settings from flour fine to barely cracked grains. We love it. The only downfall in my opinion is the sounds. It is loud! I have a friend with a WhisperMill and hers was much much quieter. However I liked my flour better than hers.
For a hand grinder I have a Back to Basics (That doesn't sound right but its whats coming to mind). I don't mind it but I dont have a table or cabinets to attach it too so it's a bit problematic.
Good luck finding the one that works for you!
www.imnaturallysimple.com
"Live slowly and simply, so that you have the time and space to love deeply and well. Hold your children close, as often as possible. Look deeply into their eyes, speak words of life, love and acceptance into and over them." |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6707 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6707 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2011 : 09:13:48 AM
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Heike- I just thought of something else to consider. When you purchase grain in 25 or 50 pound bags, you have to have room to store them. In Florida that is best done indoors due to heat and humidity. I ordered a 25 pound bag and placed it in a plastic container that just does fit into my pantry. I was figuring up how much grain is needed per loaf and here is what I have currently discovered. There are roughly 4 C grain per pound. Each C of grain = about 1 2/3 cup flour and each loaf of bed needs between 3-4 C of flour. So, if you are making at least 4 loaves per week, then you will want to start with 50 pounds of wheat so that you get the best value for the money because of shippng costs. Then you have to have a place to store that grain. Also, you do need a counter to attach the hand crank grinders. As you can see in the picture, I have an old farm table in my kitchen that works perfectly. The electric mills just sit on the counter . You can purchase grain in bulk bins from certain grocery and health stores but it costs more to do it that way if you make break in any amount. Maybe where you live you can get large sacs of grain cheaper because it can be grown in the state or there are co-ops you can join to order grain more reasonable. For me way down here in Florida, the shipping costs are BIG! Just a few more details to consider as you make a decision about what will be best for you and your family.
Winnie #3109
REd Tractor Girl |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2011 : 09:34:11 AM
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Lots to consider :)! And there I thought I was simplifying :)....Thank you all for your thoughts.
Winnie, I was thinking about the grain. Though I can get it "fairly" well priced here through a co op, the storage is an issue. I live in a smallish (not quite 900sq/ft) house, and my pantry is full of canned food & essentials. It gets HOT here in the summer, and my pantry is not climate controled, so I have to be careful.
:)
Greetings,
Heike
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"One girl's trash is another girl's treasure."
http://www.mygypsymarket.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
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Farm Kitchen: Favorite grain mill? |
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Favorite grain mill?
