The 10 Best Grain Mills

In order to choose the best grain mill, you need to consider how and why you'll want to use it. Some grain mills offer greater versatility of textures, for those who plan to use their mill to make both coarse and super fine flours, while others boast efficiency or durability.

To help you find the grain mill most suitable for whatever you aim to achieve, we've created a guide that provides perspective on how the designs and features available in different grain mill models correspond to your unique priorities.

Power Source:

Before we get into milling mechanisms, speed, and texture, you'll need to understand the broadest and most critical distinction between grain mill types: how they're powered. Grain mills can be either manual (hand-powered), electric, or convertible.

Manual grain mills have the rather obvious benefit of not requiring a power source, so they'll work in locations without power or during blackouts. For those who plan to mill when camping or doing other outdoor activities, a hand crank mill is a great option. Although manual mills require a great deal of elbow grease, some users prefer the workout and enjoy the labor involved. Additionally, manual mills tend to be cheaper than electric mills for those who aren't prepared to make a big investment.

Electric mills will process grains much more quickly, and require much less labor from the user. For people planning to use their grain mill frequently, or for those who will be grinding large amounts of grain, an electric mill will be worth the investment. One drawback to electric mills is the noise—they'll usually be quite loud when running, so may not be ideal for people who live in apartments with sensitive neighbors. Depending on the model, electric mills might be more difficult to clean because they generally can't be completely disassembled the way that most manual mills can.

Convertible mills are manual mills with an optional motor attachment. For users who aren't sure how often they'll end up using their mill, convertible mills allow one to initially buy a manual mill and add the motor attachment later if they find themselves using it frequently. If you do choose a convertible mill, make sure that it works well as both a manual and electric mill, because some tout their convertibility but don't perform well in one mode.

Milling Mechanism:

The milling mechanism describes what inside of the mill actually grinds the grains. The two primary types are impact mills and burr mills, and of the latter, there is a further distinction between stone and steel burrs.

Impact mills are also known as micronizers, and use technology that has been derived from pharmaceutical micronizers, which pulverize substances into very fine powders. With impact mills, no literal grinding takes place. Instead, grain enters a chamber where a circular metal plate with concentric rings of steel teeth faces another spindle that spins at around 28,000 rpm. It spins so quickly that the grain's impact with the teeth causes the kernels to break into increasingly smaller particles. All impact mills are electric, and while they can often produce flours of ranging textures, they'll probably all be on the finer side. Impact mills will only function with dry materials, as materials that are particularly oily or fibrous will clog the mill. Additionally, this milling mechanism lends itself to raucousness, so don't expect your impact mill to be quiet.

Burr mills grind grain between two plates, one which is stationary while the other rotates from the power source. There are two types of burr mills: stone burr and steel burr, and they operate slightly differently. Stone burrs tend to stay cool, ensuring that the flour's enzymes—one of the primary nutritious benefits of using your own grain mill—stay intact. Stone burrs work by crushing the grain, and while they can't handle oily or moist materials, some models can handle fibrous substances such as dried herbs. While they can be more expensive, stone burrs are usually considered more durable, and will produce very fine flours suitable for making pastries and breads. Stone burr mills are available as both electric and manual options. In contrast to stone burrs, steel burrs are less expensive and can process a wider range of materials, including things like oily nuts and roots. For this reason, steel burrs are suitable for users who prioritize versatility over consistency, as flour made with steel burrs will typically need to be sifted before use.