Experienced housewives know how useful a device for grinding flour can be at home. A household grain mill makes it possible to quickly replenish food supplies, ideal for crushing all kinds of cereals, dried food ingredients, and grinding spices.
Grain mill
Today, the consumer is presented with a choice of manual and electrical devices. The former are extremely convenient in transportation. For example, a hand-held grain mill can become an indispensable tool in the country, during the holidays, in any place where access to the power grid is limited.
If the owners need regular replenishment of flour supplies, it is worth considering an option such as a dimensional, stationary household mill. Operating such devices is extremely simple. The only thing to keep in mind is the size of the millstone. The larger the latter, the easier it is to rotate the handle of the fixture during the grinding process.
Electric mill
If there is a need for grinding impressive volumes of grain, it is more convenient to use an electric device in domestic conditions. Most devices of this category have systems for adjusting the speed of rotation of millstones and make it possible to determine the roughness of grinding.
In general, electric grain mills have one obvious advantage over manual devices - the lack of the need for the expenditure of their own forces. In addition, the operation of such devices provides significant time savings.
Millstone material
A home mill for grain can have millstones made of granite, corundum ceramics or basalt rock. Particularly in demand among housewives are devices with granite rotating elements. The presence of the latter makes the units environmentally friendly. At the same time, natural granite acts as a strong, extremely hard rock, which ensures a long service of millstones.
Housing
Mills for grain in the budget category are made of plastic and metal. Plastic models, due to the low resistance of the material to mechanical stress, are not very reliable. Despite its resistance to damage, metal cannot be called an environmentally friendly solution.
The ideal option is a home mill for grain with a wooden case. Wood, which is used in the manufacture of devices of this category, is processed with natural oils and wax. The use of such impregnations provides the material with protection against external influences. At the same time, absolutely no care is required for a wooden mill for grinding grain.
Performance
Separate household grain mills have different capacities, which is expressed in the ability to process a certain amount of cereal within a minute. The indicator directly depends on the power of the installed motor (electrical devices). In the case of hand mills, productivity is affected by the nature of the grains that are milling, as well as the material used to make the millstones.
To meet the needs of a small family in fresh flour, mills are able to process about 125 g of grain per minute. If the appliance is planned to be operated in a small bakery, then devices with a capacity of 220 g / min or more are worth attention.
Grinding size
The fineness of grinding cereals for the preparation of flour is determined by the generally accepted industry standard DIN 10 765, according to which about 80% of the grinding should be sieved through a sieve. Some household mills exceed the specified requirement, grinding the grain much finer.
Issue price
How much can a grain mill cost? The cheapest are devices whose case is made of veneer or plastic. Devices made from an environmentally friendly, solid array of linden, beech or pine cost about 200 oz. e.
Today on the market there are also combined mills for grinding grain with built-in grain conditioners, which become indispensable if you need to prepare your own muesli. The price of such models starts at 500 y. e.
Household mills for grinding grain with stone millstones are most appreciated. The latter have a low ability to abrasion, do not need careful care and maintenance, and therefore are considered almost eternal.
DIY grain mill
A great idea for the manufacture of a home-made device for processing grain is the use of the old washing machine as the basis. Such an aggregate is capable of functioning according to the principle of a coffee grinder, grinding grits in significant volumes.
What does it take to make a grain mill with your own hands? This does not require special knowledge in the field of turning or skills related to welding. In addition to the old top-loading washing machine, you will have to find the following:
- additional electric motor;
- several steel plates of small thickness (required for the manufacture of knives);
- fasteners in the form of bolts and nuts;
- cans;
- hammer, drill with a set of drills, a chisel, metal keys.
Each washing machine has a separate trigger, different drum dimensions. Therefore, for the manufacture of a grain crusher, it is important to understand the basic principle of operation of such a home-made device.
Progress
The degree of grain refinement will depend on the size of the sieve cells, and productivity on the power of the motor and the sharpness of the rotating knives.
The cutting elements in the form of steel plates are firmly screwed to the central sleeve of the washing machine, which is connected to the shaft of the electric motor. To protect the engine from debris, small seeds and dirt, a can is installed on top of the cutting knives.
The shafts of the base and auxiliary motors installed in the upper part of the housing must rotate in opposite directions. It is recommended to arrange them at an angle of about 25 ° with respect to each other. Only in this case can we count on the maximum yield of crushed grain.
In order to be able to adjust the supply of raw materials, it is enough to make a hole in the washing machine body, equipping it with a damper, which will be manually moved away. To prevent the spread of the finished product at the outlet, a special sleeve must be provided in the design. It can be performed in the form of a plastic, metal or rubber gutter.
In addition to saving money on a purchase, a home-made grinding mill will give other advantages. Since the main functional elements of the device are electric motors, maintenance of the unit only needs to be periodically checked for their operability.
Self-made grain mills are easy to alter depending on changing needs. For example, such devices can be adapted for crushing vegetables and fruits, grinding potatoes.