The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Komo Questions

gpratte's picture
gpratte

Komo Questions

I currently have the Nutrimill, which I don't use very often because I also have a three month old and dishes are not high on my list of things that I have time to do. I'm looking into the Komo mills because they have 1. a crazy long warranty and 2. no receiving bowl to clean. My husband and I both like baking and usually make a couple pizza crusts and an artisan loaf each week, and really never use more than 4 cups at a time. Currently our solution is to grind large batches and keep in the freezer, but I'm interested in looking for a mill that looks okay on the counter and is easier/quicker to use.

I just had a couple questions that I can't find the answers to online.

1. What is the practical difference between the Fidibus 21 and the Fidibus Classic? I'm looking at the specs, but quite honestly, I have no idea what they mean. Is the 21 simply slower, or is it lower quality in that it cannot grind as fine or will not last as long?

2. Do the stone mills have to be taken apart and cleaned each time you use one? I'm not reading anything that would lead me to believe that, but if I'm going to spend a bucket on something, I'd rather not get it and find out it's more work than my Nutrimill.

Thanks!

David R's picture
David R

The "Classic" has bigger millstones and a more powerful motor to turn them. I am guessing that the "21" is built for people who like the "Classic", in a scaled-down less-expensive unit. It looks like they should both make the same quality of flour, just one of them does more/faster than the other. So for you, it looks to me like this pair of machines should come down to a straight trade-off between time and money - spend more on the "Classic" to get more grinding done, or spend less on the "21" because you weren't planning to grind THAT much anyway. Your pick.

albacore's picture
albacore

It's also worth considering the Mockmill 100 or 200; the same basic stone milling principle as the Fidibus (and the same designer), but in a vegetable based plastic casing - not as pretty, but a lot easier on the wallet.

Lance

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

No you don’t have to clean the mill each time. Just follow the instructions for what you can mill and you won’t have any issues. I love mine (classic)!

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

I suggest you call Pleasant Hill Grain and get their take on it.   I have not talked to them, but many others here have and say they are quite knowledgeable.  If I were in your shoes,  I would look at the KOMO MIO   at $299 that is a pretty good price, though I admit some of the color options are pretty jarring.  https://pleasanthillgrain.com/komo-mio-grain-mill-flour-grinder-wood-stone-colors    Generally, with the Komo and the Mock Mill, the main differences in models will be the size of the stone and the strength of the motor, meaning you will get the same type of results, only a little faster with the higher power and bigger stones, than the small models. 

Filomatic's picture
Filomatic

I have the Fidibus Classic and love it.  The 12-year warranty was a big selling point.  It's heavy and solid and has an impressive range of fine to coarse (or cracked), and can handle softer wheats and anything from rice to corn that isn't oily.  I also have the sifter attachment, which I use a lot but am not overjoyed with because it's not easy to use.  I'd still buy it again, though.

I don't know the difference between these models.  Pleasant Hill grain sells them and is great about answering questions.  I have never needed to clean mine, and cleanup does not seem to be an issue with these.

David R's picture
David R

... being intentionally misleading, which I very much doubt they would be, then it's clear that the "21" can be shortly described as "Essentially the same machine as the "Classic", but somewhat smaller, somewhat less power, and a lower price tag". They give no indication that anything else is different.

jjcobbie3's picture
jjcobbie3

I own a Komo Fidibus XL (for quite a few years), but recently upgraded to a Salzburger natural granite stone mill.  Salzburger makes very good machines, and the quality of the flour produced on the Salzburger is much better, in my opinion.

My Komo millstones have lost quite a bit of the corundum material into the flour, and I didn't like the idea of the corundum and adhesive getting into my flour.  I've only owned the Salzburger since December, but really love the quality and the fact that there's no plastic in the milling chamber.  High quality, and worth the investment.  They have many models to choose from, with both granite millstone and synthetic millstones available if you want to stick with that.

bread1965's picture
bread1965

HI .. Can you post pictures of your komo stones showing how you "lost quite a bit of the corundum material into the flour" ?   I'm about to buy a mill and would like to see your experience. Thank you - frank!

 

Melbourne Park's picture
Melbourne Park

The Salzburger millstones might be nicely matched, but there is no evidence they produce better flour. When the company switched to granite, not so long ago, it was driven by a differentiated strategy. By using a material others had chosen not to use, they are different. They market well, make very nice products and support them well, so they stay in business with high prices. And granite has not been much used in traditional stone mills. And many traditional stone mills suffer from stone lossage - hence many now are suitable only for animal goods. 

It's wrong to think that Corundum is aluminium. And also, that it is dangerous. It is used in sunscreen, often in cosmetics such as blush, nail polish, lipstick, and it's a favourite polisher in tooth paste. It's inert and not toxic. And it's not "aluminium" either. My wife's Ruby stone ring is a lot different to a beer's tin can. Despite it being corundum. Yep, if the material used in most home flour mills was more impure, it would be a ruby, or another type of impurity would make it a sapphire.

And the stones are not glued together either. They're baked in clay (ceramics). At around 1,300 degrees C. We drink and eat from types of ceramics.

There is no way these stones are going to wear from any grinding of natural grains legumes corn etc etc - the wear will only come from the two stones touching. And that is up to the user. So if someone abused their mill, OK it might wear. And the motor well well before that. 

There's no need to have diamonds held in ceramic either. While a bit harder, both materials are tough enough for natural grains etc. for the milling process. 

 

 

Karen's picture
Karen

Someone's experience using both mills and preferring the flour from one over the other isn't evidence?

WordDoctor's picture
WordDoctor

Just wondering if you have an update and how much did you pay for that mill?