Why are you considering a Grain Mill? When healthy food preparation is an interest for you or your family, bread may come to mind. Bread requires so little: flour, yeast, salt and water. When these items are combined in proper amounts and allowed to do what they do best the possibilities are endless. The yeast and salt you purchase at the store, turn on the faucet for water and what is left? Flour is the prime ingredient for the mixture. Buying the flour at the store may be very easy and quick to do but out of the four it is the most fragile and delicate. Fact #1. The flour you buy at the store is as good as dead. Consider that freshly milled whole grain flours are nutritionally superior to commercial whole grain flours. Not only that but a wheat grinder makes flour that tastes better and works up much better in whole grain recipes. Fact #2. Wondering what the benefit of milling your own flour might be, and if a grain mill is worth the expense? The reasons are numerous. Cost of a loaf of store purchased bread, from $.99 on sale for sliced white bread to $5.00 loaves for artisan style bread. Bake off your own artisan style for pennies. There are many 5 minute recipes out there. All are very easy and make great bread. Time is not a concern. A grain mill can help produce fresh bread on your time table. Your family will be getting healthy, tasty breads. Fact #3. A good quality grain mill can grind your grain to the fineness you desire. Weather it is wheat for flour to bake hearty whole wheat bread or to produce fine whole wheat flour for a cake, a good one will do just that. Fact #4. A grain mill can also grind corn for corn meal or masa, a must for tamales or other Mexican dishes. Wheat grinders also crack wheat for use in making home brewed beer. That is a whole set of articles in itself. Note, most grain mills should grind non-oily grains and beans. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance. Fact #5. Freshly ground or milled flour will not keep for long. It is best to mill the amount needed for the project at hand. Fresh whole wheat flour when exposed to the atmosphere will begin to oxidize quickly. The whole wheat flour will lose half of its nutritional value in 24 hours. By the way, how long has the flour at the store been there? Most likely longer than a few days to weeks. Always grind fresh and use fresh. The milling process is simple. Get the home grain mill out, plug it in, pour the wheat onto the hopper, turn on and receive in a few minutes the product you desire. Fact #6. Wheat to grind is simple to obtain. If you live close to farm country, it might be a short drive. Check at local farmers markets, ask the vendors, if they don’t have access they would be happy to let you know of someone who does. Call the local farm extension office for a name. There are many ways to access grains for your needs. Check out the internet for a food co-op in your area. Fact #7. Also consider that unmilled whole grains will generally store indefinitely, with no negative effect on nutritional value until the hull of the grain is broken by milling or cracking. Use something as simple as a food grade five gallon bucket. These can be found anywhere food is fixed on a commercial level. Proper storage techniques are easy and the savings just compounds. I keep mine in the freezer. If you are convinced, that home milled flour is the best choice and are ready to purchase a Grain Mill then an electric or hand crank grain mill is the next question. I hope this grain mill review helps you determine your personal criteria. I have found that my favorite grain mill may not appeal to you, based on your criteria. Grain mills for sale are in many different places. Home grain mills are at your local hardware store, specialty food equipment store or on the internet. Keep in mind that electric grain mills are meant for grinding grains and dry beans only; they are generally not used for oily seeds or coffee. Healthy eating products come from healthy food preparation and a grain mill should be a first step. Grain Mill Mary Mary Dahlberg has been active with food preparation her whole life. Her mother had a step stool for Mary to be right by her side in the kitchen. Her delight to please the palettes of others took Mary into healthcare management of food and nutrition services for over 20 years. Mary now owns Food Tools Plus, an e-commerce site to offer quality food preparation equipment. Visit the Grain Mills page.
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