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Time for a new malt mill

 
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JayBo




Joined: 23 Oct 2016
Posts: 35



PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 1:58 pm    Post subject: Time for a new malt mill Reply with quote


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My 10 yo barley crusher needs replacement. The shaft is slightly bent, making it stick and its just time.

I think I'm going to buy something different this time, perhaps a monster mill or crankenstein. Not sure if there is really a difference between the 2 or 3 rollers, however I wanted to see what other folks are using.

Thanks.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For my thoughts on a 3-roller mill, see my grain mill article here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/grain-mill

I've also had good experiences with the Monster Mill line of grain mills, available with an optional 11lb hopper and base. Link: http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=monster%20mill%20&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amonster%20mill%20&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=55RZLSHT27BW5HVH

Kal

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Ozarks Mountain Brew




Joined: 22 May 2013
Posts: 737
Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

this is what I have and they use bearings not bushings and ive found the parts to replace them, only issues with these crushers in general is they don't use hardened steal for the shafts and they bend, I think they all do

https://www.amazon.com/NorthernBrewer-G5-ZTOW-TPQD-Barley-Crusher-Lb-Capacity/dp/B0089WJZDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1488295858&sr=8-7&keywords=monster+mill&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&linkId=8c71a418a6d77d5d12b6c2e5e33e7f68

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wscottcross




Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 212
Location: CT

Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout

Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I upgraded from the Barley Crusher to the Kegco 3 roller and it's great! I get perfect crush now and very little husk shredding. It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-KM11GM-3R-Grain-Hopper-Rollers/dp/B014M8WS14/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1488312510&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=kegco+malt+mill&linkCode=ll1&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&linkId=32b4fee8bcfdbb22733d1c2201fc6cf4

The only down side is that it doesn't come with a base. This actually worked in my favor since I was building a stand for it anyway.

(Kal, feel free to change it to an affiliate link if appropriate)

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dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use a monster mill 2-roller that is motorized. I have no complaints.
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JayBo




Joined: 23 Oct 2016
Posts: 35



PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wscottcross wrote:
I upgraded from the Barley Crusher to the Kegco 3 roller and it's great! I get perfect crush now and very little husk shredding. It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-KM11GM-3R-Grain-Hopper-Rollers/dp/B014M8WS14/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1488312510&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=kegco+malt+mill&linkCode=ll1&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&linkId=32b4fee8bcfdbb22733d1c2201fc6cf4

The only down side is that it doesn't come with a base. This actually worked in my favor since I was building a stand for it anyway.

(Kal, feel free to change it to an affiliate link if appropriate)


Wow, $150 for a 3 roller mill and hopper...that is a deal. I love that it has flat spots on the drive spindle so the drill can get a better grip. *winner*
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wscottcross




Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 212
Location: CT

Drinking: Launch IPA, Double Sunshine clone, Maple Coffee breakfast stout

Working on: expanding my beer horizons (and my beltline)


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 1:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JayBo wrote:
wscottcross wrote:
I upgraded from the Barley Crusher to the Kegco 3 roller and it's great! I get perfect crush now and very little husk shredding. It's this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-KM11GM-3R-Grain-Hopper-Rollers/dp/B014M8WS14/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1488312510&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=kegco+malt+mill&linkCode=ll1&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&linkId=32b4fee8bcfdbb22733d1c2201fc6cf4

The only down side is that it doesn't come with a base. This actually worked in my favor since I was building a stand for it anyway.

(Kal, feel free to change it to an affiliate link if appropriate)


Wow, $150 for a 3 roller mill and hopper...that is a deal. I love that it has flat spots on the drive spindle so the drill can get a better grip. *winner*


I know. I paid more for my Barley Crusher 4 years ago.Been super happy with it. I have a very slow speed (900 RPM max) drill hooked up and I think it could crush stone it has so much torque. I'm now officially a pro brewer and I'm still using it it for 1 barrel batches. We are looking at a 5-7 barrel upgrade in the near future, but until then this guy will certainly keep up.

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Mr Walleye




Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been using the MM3 powered by a drill for a couple of years and have never had an issue.

BUT.....I was at nearby casino a few weeks back and left with a slightly fatter wallet than when I arrived - so I did this last weekend.

Ran it through it's first batch and couldn't be more tickled with my new brewery bling!

The old drill always worked fine for me, but heck, as long as the casino was buying! Laughing



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JayBo




Joined: 23 Oct 2016
Posts: 35



PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr Walleye wrote:
I've been using the MM3 powered by a drill for a couple of years and have never had an issue.

BUT.....I was at nearby casino a few weeks back and left with a slightly fatter wallet than when I arrived - so I did this last weekend.

Ran it through it's first batch and couldn't be more tickled with my new brewery bling!

The old drill always worked fine for me, but heck, as long as the casino was buying! Laughing


Love it!

That setup looks so much better than the whole pulley system I sometimes see.
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JSB




Joined: 17 Oct 2016
Posts: 125
Location: NE Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr Walleye wrote:
- so I did this last weekend.

Ran it through it's first batch and couldn't be more tickled with my new brewery bling!


NICE!

Parts list please....
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Mr Walleye




Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 3:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The parts list is pretty simple actually:

In this case a MM3 grain mill with extended hopper you can get from many brewing sites or your LHBS.

A Rubbermaid three shelf rolling cart that I picked up from a local restaurant supply wholesale club I'm a member of, but available many other places. Personal preference on what to mount the mill and motor to will prevail here though. There are many innovative cart and cabinet mounting choices listed online in motorized mill threads. I opted for mobility, so went with the cart.

An All American Aleworks 240RPM motor and correctly sized Lovejoy coupler set to match the mill. The Lovejoy couplers are also available from them ordering as a package.

https://www.allamericanaleworks.com/shop/240-rpm-power-grinder-grain-mill-motor/

A Dayton 2X440 Drum Switch, available many places but mine came from this spot on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/381023187682?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336652980&toolid=20008&mkevt=1

A couple of 1/2 inch electrical strain relief connectors available at your local hardware store for where the electrical cords enter and exit the Drum Switch.

Miscellaneous bolts and screws to assemble that I had laying around the workshop, along with 5 feet off the male end of an old heavy duty extension cord I had that the lawn mower ate through the middle of. (damn kids)

A 1/4 inch piece of plywood I had laying around cut to size to act as a shim between the MM3 and it's base. If you look close at the pictures it's a grey piece between the mill and base. This is needed for this particular setup to get the mill up to the correct height as the motor shaft. A larger piece could be used under the mill base as well if you have a larger piece, but I only had this smaller piece on hand it cut to fit perfectly.

If you are handy with electrical, you can follow the motor wiring schematic on the All American site in relation to the schematic on the switch housing with no problem. For anyone using these same items in the future who is unsure how to wire it, drop me a PM and I'll open my switch and photo-detail which of the pre-numbered motor wires go to which of the switch terminals.
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Mr Walleye




Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JayBo wrote:
Mr Walleye wrote:
I've been using the MM3 powered by a drill for a couple of years and have never had an issue.

BUT.....I was at nearby casino a few weeks back and left with a slightly fatter wallet than when I arrived - so I did this last weekend.

Ran it through it's first batch and couldn't be more tickled with my new brewery bling!

The old drill always worked fine for me, but heck, as long as the casino was buying! Laughing


Love it!

That setup looks so much better than the whole pulley system I sometimes see.


Thanks! I completely agree.
But if you happen to have a strong enough motor at your disposal, the pullies may be the only way you can get into the correct rotational speed range.
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JayBo




Joined: 23 Oct 2016
Posts: 35



PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The kegco, 3 roller mill is wonderful. I'm able to run it with a cordless drill with no issues. Extremely smooth bearings really make a difference. Quality product.
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jrmontecarlo24




Joined: 26 Mar 2018
Posts: 1
Location: Houston


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice setup.
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Mr Walleye




Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY


PostLink    Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 2:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jrmontecarlo24 wrote:
Nice setup.



Thanks jr!

A year later and I'm still happy as a lark!

I buy a lot of grain in bulk and a lot of my local brew buds get their grain from me to help out with the bulk purchasing.
As such, I believe there has been nearly a ton of grain run through this baby in the last year.

Still as smooth, quiet and quick as the day I turned it on the first time.

Although, I'm no longer sure if the brew buds care about the bulk grain savings any more or they are just dropping by to drink my beer! LOL
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XPLSV




Joined: 19 Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Location: Colorado Springs


PostLink    Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice...heading down that road right now. Just ordered my MM-3Pro yesterday and getting ready to order the AAAW motor. Glad to hear it continues to run as smooth as Day 1.

Bernie
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KB




Joined: 06 Nov 2014
Posts: 334
Location: Virginia

Working on: Next brew


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr Walleye wrote:
A Dayton 2X440 Drum Switch, available many places but mine came from this spot on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/381023187682?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336652980&toolid=20008&mkevt=1



Possible to see the switch wiring diagram connections allowing CW and CCW use? Thanks.
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Mr Walleye




Joined: 23 Dec 2013
Posts: 71
Location: Ossining, NY


PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try checking out this thread

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30797&highlight=
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