Used older Retsel mil-rite -- are the stones okay?
I just purchased a very old (probably over 25+ years) used retsel mil-rite -- the seller claims it was never used although he is likely mistaken. After running a couple tablespoons of rice (to scrape the stones), I ground the firsh batch of wheat very fine -- it took about 10 minutes to grind 2 cups of raw wheat. To the finger the flour felt very fine/silky and completely met my expectations (i.e. a bit finer than the Wondermill pastry output). Unofrunately even though it felt perfect on fingers, the flour feels slight gritty (like very fine sand) when chewed -- i.e. this grit is perceptible only upon trying to chew a pinch of flour and not at all on fingers. Is it possible the stone is getting ground into the flour? I am baffled because I don't see any discoloration and don't feel anything hard on fingers.
The pair of milling stones are smoother at the periphery than at the edge of the inner grooves towards the center. Is this normal? If someone with an older Retsel could comment, I would appreciate it very much. If required, I can post a picture of the stones.
TIA!
The throughput is too low. Are you sure it is a Mil-Rite? A Mil-Rite will have one quarter HP. Otherwise, you may have the stones too tight.
Granularity is probably normal. It will make good bread.
Smooth stones near the periphery is normal. However, smoothness beyond about 3/8 inch is showing increased wear.
It is defintiely a mil-rite with a 1/4hp motor. You are right though -- i had the stones too tight.
I just found instructions (on a post elsewhere on this site), which state that the the stones should be loosened from touching position by turning the adjustment-knob counterclockwise by 1/4" at least. (Also apparently the first quart of flour should be discarded due to possible grit when the stones are new.)
Thanks again. Hopefully i'll do better next time.