Family grain mill?

[ORChick]

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/family_grain_mills.aspx

I am considering getting one of these, and wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Not grain mills in general, but this one in particular. I have hesitated getting a mill for many years because DH doesn't particularly like whole wheat bread, or maybe just not my wh. wheat bread - which is odd I think, since he grew up in Germany where they have fantastic non-white breads. But I am wondering if freshly ground flour will make a difference. So, any input?

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/family_grain_mills.aspx

I am considering getting one of these, and wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Not grain mills in general, but this one in particular. I have hesitated getting a mill for many years because DH doesn't particularly like whole wheat bread, or maybe just not my wh. wheat bread - which is odd I think, since he grew up in Germany where they have fantastic non-white breads. But I am wondering if freshly ground flour will make a difference. So, any input?

We have that system, though we are set up to have it atatched to our Bosch, rather then the seperate base.
I also have the roller flaker on the hand crank.

It does a decent job, but honestly, I would recommend getting the Nutrimill instead.

Do you use a blend of grains for your breads?
Adding Spelt in makes a big difference with texture and flavor.

 

[ORChick]

Thanks Bubblingbrooks. I am thinking of getting the manual mill, with the adaptor for the Kitchenaid. I don't want to go for something more expensive, as I don't know how well it will go over in the family; this is already more than I like to spend for an experiment. I have used the white whole wheat flour from King Arthur Flour, and add as much as I feel able to get away with to my white loaves. My "house loaf", which DH loves, is an Italian Pugliese type, white, with big holes. When I make anything else he complains about how "dense" it is . My fault, I guess; I got him used to the "holey" bread . It is good, but I want to branch out, and I know whole wheat (or spelt, or rye, or any whole grain) is healthier, and believe absolutely freshly ground has got to taste better.

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

Just so you know, the hand version is SLOW!
Took me over an hour to grind what I needed for a couple of loaves.
Not a good way to spend my time

If and when I look for another hand grinder, I will be finding one with a very large fly wheel, so as to speed up the process.

 

[ORChick]

That's good to know, thanks! From what I have read one should be able to grind a cup of flour in about 2 minutes manually; this is not your experience? Also, is there another reason why you recommend the Nutrimill? The Family Grain Mill sounds really good on paper (that is, computer screen ), and it is certainly less expensive than the others that look good. But I am really waffling about spending a lot of money on something that might only be used occasionally. DH, being German, really likes his bread, and I would like to get him (and me) back onto whole grains (partially or completely) but I can well imagine him buying all his bread if he doesn't like what I make. And, maybe I should add, I live in an area where good local flour isn't an option; I have to drive an hour just to get the King Arthur's. Is freshly ground really superior in your opinion?

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

That's good to know, thanks! From what I have read one should be able to grind a cup of flour in about 2 minutes manually; this is not your experience? Also, is there another reason why you recommend the Nutrimill? The Family Grain Mill sounds really good on paper (that is, computer screen ), and it is certainly less expensive than the others that look good. But I am really waffling about spending a lot of money on something that might only be used occasionally. DH, being German, really likes his bread, and I would like to get him (and me) back onto whole grains (partially or completely) but I can well imagine him buying all his bread if he doesn't like what I make. And, maybe I should add, I live in an area where good local flour isn't an option; I have to drive an hour just to get the King Arthur's. Is freshly ground really superior in your opinion?

With a handmill that has a large flywheel, it may be possible to get a cup in 2 minutes.
It takes me two minutes to roll 1 cup of oats, and that is with turning the handly fast. And you know how fluffy oats are

Freshly ground is best, not necessarily because of the taste, but because of nutrients still being intact.
Ground flour from the store is likely weeks if not months old.

Maybe you can find a small handmill on ebay for a small price, just to test out the potential.
Then, if its a go for your DH, you can invest in a good mill.
The Nutrimill has been the best mill I have ever come across.
My sil has had hers for many years, and all the ladies at my church have one.
Zero complaints.
My mother got one, had a bunch of trouble, but it turned out it had a defective part. They company replaced it, and she has had perfect results with it.

I am gluten free, due to an allergy, but even when we were making lots of breads, I had made the switch to old world style preperation of grains.
Might be worth looking into, as your DH might really like them.
One super easy one, can be learned about here...
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2010/04/06/no-knead-sourdough-bread/
She has not fully transitioned to full whole grain herslef with this recipe, as she is still relearning how to make breads the proper way.
I have made it many times with whole grains, and had excellent success. Its super yummy!

 

[ORChick]

Thanks so much for all the information. And that recipe looks wonderful! One more reason to get a mill; I can make my own sprouted grain flour . I'm going to wait on this for a little bit, think on it some more. The Nutrimill looks great, but it is quite expensive - well, compared to the Family Grain Mill anyway. And I was rather liking the non-electric option - I find the older I get the less I like listening to kitchen appliance noise, though I suppose the older I get the more I may value not having to turn the handle myself ! Anyway, thanks for responding. I will do some more research, and think on it some more.