How to Choose the Best Grain Mill for Your Needs

Milling your own grains is one of the best ways to ensure fresh, nutritious flour for your home baking. Whether you’re baking bread, making pastries, or preparing whole-grain meals, having control over the quality and type of flour you use can make all the difference. But with so many grain mills available—manual, electric, stone burr, and even high-powered blenders—it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you.

I’ve spent years experimenting with different mills, from manual hand-crank models to high-end electric ones. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key features and help you identify the best grain mill for your needs, whether you’re on a tight budget, limited on space, or planning to mill various grains and seeds.

Let’s explore the different types of mills, their features, and how to choose the right one for your home.

What Types of Grain Mills Are Available?

When choosing a grain mill, it’s important to understand the different types available, as each serves a specific purpose depending on your needs.

Manual Grain Mills

Manual mills are perfect for those who want a simple, off-grid option or the flexibility to grind oily grains and seeds that may clog other types of mills. They are often hand-cranked and require physical effort to operate, but they offer versatility and durability. A good example is the Wondermill Junior Deluxe, which comes with interchangeable burrs for grains and seeds. While manual mills are slower and require more effort, they’re ideal for anyone preparing for power outages or seeking a low-tech alternative.

Stone Burr Mills

Stone burr mills, such as the Mockmill 100 or KoMo Classic, provide the best control over the grind texture. They excel at producing fine flour and are incredibly easy to clean, which is why they’re so popular for home milling. These mills crush the grain between two grinding stones, offering options from coarse cracked grains to fine pastry flour. Additionally, stone mills are compact, making them ideal for smaller kitchens. However, they cannot handle popcorn or oily grains, which could damage the stones.

Micronizing Mills (Impact Mills)

For those who need superfine flour, micronizing mills are the way to go. These mills, such as the WonderMill or Nutrimill Classic, are fast and efficient, using high-speed metal fins to pulverize the grain. They’re perfect for making fine pastry flour or grinding popcorn into flour, which stone mills can’t handle. While they excel at speed and flour fineness, they don’t offer the same control over grind texture and can be noisy.

High-Powered Blenders

If you’re not ready to commit to a dedicated mill, you can start with a high-powered blender like the Pampered Chef Deluxe Cooking Blender or Vitamix. These can grind grains into flour, though they require careful cleaning (which can be a hassle) and might not produce the same consistency as a grain mill. I personally milled flour in my Pampered Chef Deluxe blender for six months, and while it worked well, the cleanup was enough to keep me from baking as often as I’d like. Blenders are a budget-friendly option, but consider the trade-offs in terms of time and effort.

Which Mill Type Is Best for Your Needs?

With so many options available, it’s essential to match the mill to your specific milling goals. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

If You Want Superfine Flour or Plan to Mill Popcorn

For superfine flour or milling popcorn, a micronizing mill like the WonderMill is your best choice. These mills are known for their speed and ability to produce extremely fine flour, perfect for baking delicate pastries or cakes. Popcorn is particularly hard, and most mills can’t handle it—except for these high-impact models. Keep in mind that these mills only produce flour, so they’re not ideal if you need cracked grains or coarser textures.

If You Need Full Control Over Your Grind Texture

When it comes to control, stone burr mills are the top performers. Models like the Mockmill 100 allow you to adjust the coarseness of your grind, whether you’re making coarse cereals, cracked grains, or ultra-fine flour. Stone mills are also known for their ease of cleaning—usually, you just need to run a few grains through to clear out any residue. However, avoid milling popcorn in these, as it can damage the stones.

If You Want to Mill Oily Grains and Seeds

For grains like flaxseeds or nuts, manual mills are your best bet. The Wonder Junior Deluxe or Country Living Grain Mill can handle oily grains that might clog other mills. These mills also offer the advantage of being operable when the power goes out, making them great for homesteaders or those who want an off-grid solution.

If You Have Limited Space

For those with smaller kitchens, stone mills like the Mockmill or KoMo are ideal due to their compact size. They take up less counter space than larger electric models and are easier to store. Micronizing mills, while powerful, tend to have a larger footprint, so they’re better suited for homes with more space.

Budget Considerations: Finding a Grain Mill That Fits Your Budget

Grain mills come in a wide range of prices, from affordable manual models to high-end electric mills. Here’s what to consider when balancing your needs and budget:

Best Budget Option: Nutrimill Classic

For those looking to save money without compromising on performance, the Nutrimill Classic is one of the top electric mills, especially when found on sale or used on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. It grinds quickly, offers variable settings for different flour textures, and has a large flour capacity, making it a great option for families or anyone baking in bulk. This model gives you a lot of flexibility without the higher price tag of other electric mills.

Manual Mills for Budget-Conscious Shoppers

If you’re willing to put in some physical effort, manual mills like the Wonder Junior Deluxe or Green Powder Grain Mill are cost-effective options. These mills are durable and can handle everything from grains to oily seeds and nuts. Manual mills often come at a fraction of the cost of electric ones, making them ideal for those on a tight budget or anyone wanting an off-grid solution.

High-Powered Blenders for an Entry-Level Option

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a dedicated mill, high-powered blenders like the Blendtec or Vitamix can be a budget-friendly way to get started with milling your own flour. While not as efficient or convenient as dedicated mills, blenders are versatile kitchen tools that can also handle other tasks like blending smoothies or soups. However, as I experienced, the cleanup can be tedious, and they may heat the flour slightly, reducing its nutritional value over time.

Long-Term Investment: Mockmill or WonderMill

If you’re willing to invest a bit more upfront, models like the Mockmill 100 or WonderMill are well worth it for the long-term benefits. These mills are efficient, durable, and designed to handle various grains with ease. The cost is justified by the quality of flour they produce and the convenience of having a dedicated tool for milling at home. Plus, they can save you money in the long run, reducing the need for store-bought flour.

Comparison of Popular Grain Mill Brands by Type

Stone Burr Mills

Stone burr mills are ideal for those who want full control over grind texture, from cracked grains to fine flour. They also have a compact design, making them great for small kitchens.

• Mockmill: Known for precise control over grind texture and ease of cleaning. Mockmill grain mills are durable and quieter than impact mills. They were also designed by the man who was responsible for the majority of mills in Europe, Wolfgang Mock.
  • Mockmill 100
  • Mockmill 200
  • Mockmill Lino 100
  • Mockmill Lino 200
    Mockmill Professional 200 (my mill)
  • Mockmill for KitchenAid (not recommended for extended daily use)
• KoMo Classic: A beautifully crafted mill made of beechwood, offering excellent control over grind consistency. It’s durable and perfect for home use.
  • Komo Classic
  • Komo Mio
• Nutrimill Harvest: Offers both performance and aesthetics with a sleek design and durable corundum stones. This mill is versatile, easy to use, and compact, ideal for kitchens with limited space​.

Micronizing/Impact Mills

Impact mills are fast and perfect for producing superfine flour. However, they’re less versatile in grind texture.

• WonderMill: A high-speed, high-capacity mill ideal for superfine flour. It’s powerful enough to mill harder grains like popcorn.
• Nutrimill Classic: Offers fast milling with adjustable settings for coarser or finer flour. It’s an affordable, versatile option, especially when found on sale​.

Manual Mills

Manual grain mills are perfect for those seeking an off-grid solution or for grinding oily grains and seeds. They require more physical effort but are versatile and durable.

• WonderMill Junior Deluxe: A manual mill that can handle grains, seeds, and even nut butters. It’s versatile and durable, with stone and steel burr options.
• Country Living Grain Mill: Known for its solid cast iron build, this mill is perfect for long-term, heavy-duty use and can be upgraded to electric with a motor kit.
• Diamant Grain Mill: An extremely durable, high-end manual mill with a cast iron body and steel burrs. It’s pricier but built to last.
• Grainmaker: A high-quality manual mill designed to handle a wide range of grains. Its rugged design makes it a favorite among homesteaders and it’s made in the USA!

High-Powered Blenders

Blenders can be a budget-friendly starting point for milling grains, but they lack the precision and convenience of dedicated grain mills.

• Vitamix: Capable of grinding grains, but it heats up quickly and can be difficult to clean. It works best as an entry-level option for those not ready to invest in a mill.
• Blendtec: Similar to the Vitamix, the Blendtec can grind grains but may not provide the same fine flour consistency as a dedicated mill.
• Pampered Chef Deluxe Cooking Blender: This blender has a specific grind setting that makes it a viable choice for milling, but like others, it’s harder to clean.
• Ninja: Not recommended for grain milling, as it does not produce a fine enough grind and struggles with tougher grains​.

Notes:

• Popcorn milling: Only impact mills (like WonderMill and Nutrimill Classic) can handle popcorn, as stone burrs can be damaged by its hardness​.
• Dent corn: Most stone and manual mills (Mockmill, KoMo, Wonder Junior Deluxe) can handle dent corn with ease​.
• Oily nuts and seeds: Only manual mills like the Wonder Junior Deluxe, Country Living, Diamant, and Grainmaker are suitable for milling oily items like nuts and seeds without clogging​​(Pleasant Hill Grain).

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Grain Mill for Your Needs

Finding the right grain mill depends on your specific milling goals, kitchen space, and budget. If you’re looking for fine flour and speed, a micronizing/impact mill like the WonderMill or Nutrimill Classic is your best choice, especially if you need to mill hard grains like popcorn. For versatility and control over the grind, stone mills like the Mockmill or KoMo offer excellent results for a wide range of grains and textures. Meanwhile, manual mills like the Wonder Junior Deluxe and Country Living Grain Mill are perfect for those who want an off-grid option or need to mill oily seeds and nuts. If you’re just starting out, a high-powered blender could be a temporary solution, but consider upgrading to a dedicated mill for long-term milling.

No matter what you choose, milling your own grains at home gives you control over freshness, texture, and quality, transforming your baking and cooking experiences. If you purchase from Pleasant Hill Grain or Lehman’s, take advantage of the offers we have with them.