ELECTRIC GRAIN MILLS

    There are three kinds of electric grain mills: stone mills, burr plate mills and micronizing mills. Stone mills grind finer, produce less heat at finer settings, and wear better than steel burr plate mills. The steel burr plates are more versatile and some can grind not only grain but also shells, roots, bark, dried bones, spices, and animal feed. If the mill gets gummed up, the burr plates can be washed and then dried in an oven. Stones must never be washed.
    With stones, you are limited to grinding dry materials of 12 percent moisture or less. Wet or oily materials, such as soybeans and peanuts, tend to coat the stones, making them useless. Stones can be cleaned by running through a handful of popcorn at a wide setting.
    Micronizing mills produce a finer flour than even some stone mills. There is no glazing, overheating, or gumming because of the nature of the stainless steel milling heads. They will grind any grain and also beans.
    When looking for a mill, look for low-heat, self-cleaning mills that produce a flour you would be happy making bread out of. Also consider ease of cleaning the outer parts of the mill, the size of the flour bin and the size of the mill itself.

    For comparisons of specific mills, see Pleasant Hill Grain and Walton Feed.

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