Grain-crushing without a mill

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Question:

rec.crafts.brewing #82476 |-(1)+-(1) Also, I would recommend you invest in a well constructed lautering tun

(eg the 5 gal Gott cooler with the Listermann easy masher) before embarking on all-grain Just for the record EASYMASHER (R) is a registered trade mark owned by yours truly. Listerman makes false bottoms. We make the revolutionary, tubular EM. One can use it in a cooler and many folks do but it was originally designed for use in a kettle, i.e., real beer making. js

Response:

I plan to start brewing all-grain beers, but I do not own a grain mill. Who has an opinion either way on using a food processor? I recognize that the grains should be crushed and cracked, not ground to flour, and I think I should be able to do that with the food processor. Any thoughts?

I tried it once, very small scale, and ended up with porridge. Your supplier will probably do it for you for a minimal cost anyway. If not, get a mill. A good crush it totally essential in making an all-grain brew, so its very likely your first all-grain experience would be a nightmare if you don’t use a mill. Also, I would recommend you invest in a well constructed lautering tun (eg the 5 gal Gott cooler with the Listermann easy masher) before embarking on all-grain. I started with a flimsy contraption made from a plastic bucket and a nylon spigot which promptly fell off while I was sparging. Total disaster. Mike

Response:

marca I plan to start brewing all-grain beers, but I do not own a marca grain mill. Who has an opinion either way on using a food marca processor? I recognize that the grains should be crushed marca and cracked, not ground to flour, and I think I should be marca able to do that with the food processor. marca Any thoughts? I thought most homebrew shops would crush the grain for you, either free or for a small surcharge. I thought about getting a grain mill but I can’t imagine why I’d need one, since my local homebrew store crushes the grain for free. It takes them about 30 seconds to crush 10 pounds. I’ve also been told that crushed grain stores as well as intact grain, don’t know if this is true or not. I’m thinking about getting a 50 lb bag of 2-row pale malt and having it ground. I don’t think I’d try a food processor, from what I’ve heard crushing grain correctly seems to be hard to get right even with a good grain mill. Steve — Steve Turner He that drinks strong beer, And goes to bed mellow, Lives as he ought to live, And dies a hearty fellow.

Response:

generated. If you don’t mind the work, a pillowcase and rolling pin will work. Think of it like a cheap rowing machine workout:^) I did it once and bought a mill. Phil Slotter Flying Goat Dog Pico Brewery

Response:

I doubt you’ll get a reasonably good crush from a food processor, but you’re more than welcome to try- I’d recommend experimenting with a few cups of grain first, though. Given the differences between the way a grain mill and a food processor work (the mill crushes, the processor slices/dices/chops/minces/shreds) I don’t see how you can get the same results. -Marty

Response:

Only use the food processor as a last resort. Most homebrew suppliers will crush your grain for you, if yours won’t perhaps look for a new supplier. Also, many of the mail-order places sell already crushed grain. But, if you dive into all-grain (as most do who "try" all-grain) you’ll find that buying a good grain mill will pay itself off rather quickly when one starts to buy 55lb sacks of grain. Dramatic cost difference vs. malt extract. Good luck.

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