The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Vitamix and grinding wheat

Tina Marie's picture
Tina Marie

Vitamix and grinding wheat

I didn't really have the money to purchase a grain mill and didn't really know much about them either.  So I purchased the dry container for my Vitamix and have been grinding wheat in it.

On Friday, while starting my second batch of bread, my Vitamix wouldn't turn off using the paddle power switch.  I had to use the main rocker switch.

The main rocker switch worked, but the paddle switch didn't work anymore.  So my Vitamix is on it's way to the Vitamix Company so it can be repaired and I am in need of a grain mill since I don't want to break my Vitamix again.

Does anyone have any suggestions on grain mills and why you like the particular brand/type?

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Tina,  this is a question that comes up often, especially because so few people own mills  ( its not like you can ask your neighbors which ones they own) and they are pretty expensive.   This is a link to a page where I gave my opinion http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/38284/overwhelmed-mill-options  When buying used on ebay,  the major concern is that often the sellers bought the mill at an estate sale or flea market, and when they say it is working, they may not have any idea of how it is supposed to work, or what should be included.  Once you look at enough ads for a particular model, you should have a pretty good idea on what is included, and what you will have to supply.   In that post,  I did leave out impact machines - they are very loud, but pretty quick, and may not be as adjustable as other mills, but are usually cheaper.  Nutrimill is pretty well regarded of the impacts http://www.amazon.com/Nutrimill-760200-NutriMill-Classic-Grain/dp/B001UI37N8  ,  Another option is the WonderMill  http://www.amazon.com/Wondermill-WonderMill-Grain-Mill/dp/B000CPJKWC/ref=pd_sbs_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FMZ53N4HDX26E4VKEFK ,  though don't believe the hype in the product ad that says the quietest mill.  

Tina Marie's picture
Tina Marie

Thank you so much for your response and for the link to the other discussion.  I've looked at a number of YouTube videos and read a bunch of reviews.  I'm leaning towards the NutriGrain Mill.  It seems to have a nice warranty, it's not overly expensive, and it seems pretty well liked.

Thank you again for your assistance.  I really appreciate it.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Tina,  I have a friend with the Nutrigrain, and she likes it very much. It is pretty compact, and mills grain pretty quickly.  

Tina Marie's picture
Tina Marie

Compact is good as space is at a premium in my small kitchen.

Do you know how easy it is to clean?

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Tina, I owned the WonderMill, which is an impact mill that is similar to the Nutrimill, and cleaning is very easy.  You load the berries in the hopper, and they go through an impact chamber, and the flour drops into a container below the chamber.  You can't access the chamber to clean it out, so the only thing to clean is the hopper, and possibly where the hopper meets the impact chamber. 

Tina Marie's picture
Tina Marie

Great!  Sounds easy enough.  Thanks again for your assistance!  :)

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Tina,  when you get it,  be sure to post a review here once you have used it a few times.  The more input we have on each machine, the better. 

Tina Marie's picture
Tina Marie

Well, it will be a few weeks before I can purchase a NutriGrain Mill, but I will certainly post my experience with it when I get one.  :)