The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Mill and Mix spotted on SF Bay craigslist

seasidejess's picture
seasidejess

Mill and Mix spotted on SF Bay craigslist

I just saw this interesting vintage machine for sale on the SF Bay Craigslist. Is seems from a few other things I've seen that this is a pretty heavy-duty mill and mixer combo that works great when it's in good repair. I already have a mill and a mixer, so I won't be purchasing it. 

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/hsh/d/south-san-francisco-vintage-mill-and/6872382528.html

(Disclaimer: this is not my listing, so I have no idea about the true condition or any suchlike.)

rgreenberg2000's picture
rgreenberg2000

Jess, I found this posting as well, and added it to Ricman's thread about his Mill & Mix from back in Spring of 2018.  Since I have a Komo on the way, I wasn't really thinking about it, but I have to admit that I have a weakness for old, well-made equipment (Enterprise stuffer from the '30's, Hobart grinder from the late 40's, etc.), so I made the trip up to So SF today and picked it up.  It is in GREAT shape, with all of the attachments save for one of the block/clamp gizmos that holds the bowl.  I haven't done anything with it other than plug it in and run it a bit, but I may run some wheat through it later tonight.  I'll throw up some pics, too, in case anyone cares.

Also, if anyone really had their heart set on grabbing this machine, let me know.  If I decide not to keep it, I'll let it go to someone local to me for the amount I paid for it.

It is a really cool piece of machinery!!

Rich

seasidejess's picture
seasidejess

I'm glad you picked it up, Rich. Hopefully you can help it find a good home.  I am actually in the market for a better mixer someday, and I bet that thing is a beast, but I don't think I can fit it on my counter! Let me know if you spot a brilliant deal on a Bosch universal mixer in your perambulations. ;)

-Jess

MontBaybaker's picture
MontBaybaker

Jess, compact it isn't at 17-1/2" D x 11-1/2" W x 15-1/2" H.  $25 for my first mill, well-maintained.  I enjoyed chatting with the seller about milling & bread.  Plus, as I was walking out she asked if I'd like a new (good brand) dehydrator for free; gave it to a neighbor who shares mine.      

Can I ask if you're also on the Monterey Peninsula?  So far I haven't found any TFLers south of Alameda.  My husband is a talented 2nd-hand shopper & barterer, so I'll have him add a Bosch to his list of wants.  He runs across all kinds of interesting stuff.  Karen

 

 

seasidejess's picture
seasidejess

Thanks, Karen!

Yes, I'm in Santa Cruz!  Nice to meet another Monterey Bay person on TFL. 

Warmly, Jess

Truth Serum's picture
Truth Serum

Very glad it will find a good home!

MontBaybaker's picture
MontBaybaker

Hi Rich!  A fellow Mill & Mix owner (mill only) in Salinas.  I do have the manual and can copy it for you if needed.  Picked mine up last fall from a senior in Pacific Grove who no longer bakes.  She bought it new decades ago when living in Utah.  I've done some milling, and it is a beast.  I also love vintage equipment & vehicles, and wish I could try the mixer just because I'm curious.  With the Ankarsrum on the other end of the counter, no room for another mixer in my small kitchen.  Couldn't find much online.  My husband spotted it on Craig's List on a Sunday afternoon, and 1-1/2 hours later it was mine.   

Let me know what you think, and any tips you discover.  Karen

 

 

 

rgreenberg2000's picture
rgreenberg2000

Karen-

I don't have a manual, so if it's not a chore to copy yours, I'd love to see it!  I think that using it seems pretty darned straight forward, but would still be nice to see the manual (searched high/low on the Internet to no avail!)

PM me if you want to chat more about it......no tips to share at this point, having sent a total of 1 cup of grains through it.  :)

Rich

rgreenberg2000's picture
rgreenberg2000

Ok, I have to say that my back is not happy having hauled this thing around a bit today.....it's one SOLID piece of kitchen gear! :)  This thing is in REALLY good shape!  I cleaned it up a bit with a paint brush and vacuum, and then figured I should just go ahead and run some rice through it.  After that, I figured that since I have 25 lbs of wheat, why not some wheat.  Here are some photos:

The beast with bowl, dough hook and manual crank handle:

After a very light cleaning, the stones look ready to go:

The 3/4 HP power plant:

Hard red wheat (backed the stones off just a hair from touching):

I'm pretty sure that I can make some bread with this stuff!  Seems pretty fine to me, but will be interesting to compare it to the finest setting of the Komo when it gets here (tomorrow.)  This was 1/2 cup of hard red spring wheat that resulted in 300g of finished flour.....the machine does hold onto a bit of flour residue that gets tossed in the box and "sticks".  It's easily brushed out, so not really an issue as far as I can tell.

Did I mention that it's heavy?  And huge?  I don't have time to mess with the mixer tonight (and it's missing one of the aluminum blocks that clamps it to the mixer, so need to figure out a fix/workaround for that.  A really impressive machine, and in perfect working order at ~45 years old!  Neat! :)

Rich

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

What is surprising to me is I see the mills with a regular induction motor inside a wooden box and think that design must be from the 50's,  but then I find out that the mix and mill wasn't even patented till 1974 -  so with lead times for production and sales, I would guess is was probably sold into the 80's -   yes, nearly 40 years ago, but still much more recently than I would have guessed.

patent drawing

Drawings plus description

rgreenberg2000's picture
rgreenberg2000

I've seen lots of similar mills out there, and I would guess they were making them well before the Mill & Mix was marketed (and only for a short time as I understand it.)  I honestly am not sure what was able to be patented in the design, as every other style of mill that's like this one uses the same basic design (motor housed in separate compartment drives a rotating stone against a fixed on, grain is fed through a hopper above, and flour drops down to be collected below.....)

I didn't read any of the patent details, but I would have to guess that the direct drive from the motor to provide both the milling AND mixing functions is what the inventor was after with the patent application.  I don't think I've seen another mill with that feature.

Rich

Neil Douglas Thielke's picture
Neil Douglas Thielke

This is exactly what I am looking for. If you have any information, let me know. 

2B's In A Pod's picture
2B's In A Pod

A few years ago we bought a used Mill & Mix flour milling machine that was built in the 1970s in Brigham City, Utah. It has worked great until a few months ago when the flow of grain from the hopper became slower and slower. We cleaned the stones and ran some rice through the machine but the grain still doesn’t feed well from the hopper into the entry hole to the stones. Has anyone else experienced this? If so remedy/solution is appreciated.