Grain mill won't do the business

[FlimFlamFlo]

I got a Brewferm adjustable roller for Christmas and I've only used it four times because it's been a permanent struggle to get it to crush the grain. The handle for manual grinding never stays in place, but when I use with a drill, the grain isn't being pulled through.

The dead roller is pretty much jammed - I've tried cleaning with compressed air in case there's something stuck, but in fairness, it's done so little work, there's nothing to clear. The knobs for adjusting the dead roller aren't great, they've never worked smoothly.

Any ideas where I'm going wrong here, please? This is the mill...

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,8293.msg103722.html#msg103722

[LordEoin]

are you sure you're turning it the right way?

[FlimFlamFlo]

Yessir - and double-double checked that this evening.
Can't get the dead roller to help out at all. I've tried loosening/tightening every screw in sight but I must be doing something arseways. Long weekend of brewing like a divil is fading....

[Shanna]

I got a Brewferm adjustable roller for Christmas and I've only used it four times because it's been a permanent struggle to get it to crush the grain. The handle for manual grinding never stays in place, but when I use with a drill, the grain isn't being pulled through.

The dead roller is pretty much jammed - I've tried cleaning with compressed air in case there's something stuck, but in fairness, it's done so little work, there's nothing to clear. The knobs for adjusting the dead roller aren't great, they've never worked smoothly.

Any ideas where I'm going wrong here, please? This is the mill...

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,8293.msg103722.html#msg103722

Couple of things to check.

1. What is the gap between the fixed & moveable roller. Approximately the space requirement is about the width of a credit card.

2. What type of drill do you have. Electric or cordless? If cordless what is the ampage? You might not have enough power. Other thing to consider is what setting do you have on the drill? Is on a high or low speed? Ideally you want a low speed but high torque as the power required to shift the roller is considerable. I suspect your drill is set incorrectly or else you have a drill with insufficient power. If it's cordless make sure the battery is fully charged before using it.

3. if you add 2% by weight of water to the grain by spraying the grain 20 minutes before crushing it (5kg grain = 100ml of water.sprayed from a spray bottle). This acts to moisten the grain & lubricate it when going through the mill. I do the same myself with all my grain as I bought a 2ND hand mill that won't crush otherwise.

4. If you still can't get it working try find somebody else local to you who has a grain mill who crushes with a drill & see if they will let you test with their drill.

Hope this helps.

Shanna

[beerfly]

I fould the roller on mine very stiff when i got it. can you get it moving with your fingers? if not see if you can use a cloth to get a better grip on it and get it moving.
I found once i got it to move and loosen up a bit it worked fine

[Will_D]

I got a Brewferm adjustable roller for Christmas and I've only used it four times because it's been a permanent struggle to get it to crush the grain.

Where are you based? If anywheres near Malahide, on de nort side of dubland give me a call and I will have a look

[FlimFlamFlo]

@Shanna - I think you were on the money with the torque. Thanks for all the suggestions :-) I was using a plugged-in hammer drill but found that if I hold it against the rotation, bingo. Funny thing is, the first time I used the mill, I did it manually and there was no problem at all. I'm interested in the water spray approach though - would you have to brew the same day for that or could it sit overnight with the moisture?

@beerfly - the roller wouldn't move at all, I was grating the fingers off myself trying to budge it.

Will_D - I'm in West Cork but thanks for offering. I think there's something wrong with the unit, but as long as it gets me brewing tomorrow, I'm good to go. Until next time.

Thanks all :-)

[Shanna]

@Shanna - I think you were on the money with the torque. Thanks for all the suggestions :-) I was using a plugged-in hammer drill but found that if I hold it against the rotation, bingo. Funny thing is, the first time I used the mill, I did it manually and there was no problem at all. I'm interested in the water spray approach though - would you have to brew the same day for that or could it sit overnight with the moisture?

@beerfly - the roller wouldn't move at all, I was grating the fingers off myself trying to budge it.

Will_D - I'm in West Cork but thanks for offering. I think there's something wrong with the unit, but as long as it gets me brewing tomorrow, I'm good to go. Until next time.
H
Thanks all :-)

Great to be able to pass on something that helps my own grain mill broke my heart until I got the idea about sorted out.   What you want to bet you have a few grains of corn or a small stone that was trapping the roller. I do spray, wait & mill the grain the night before I brew & let it sit in a covered bucket but only because it's one less thing to do. No reason it can't be done on brewday. Do make sure to use the spray bottle & handmix the grain to make sure it's fully wetted. Remember it's only 2% by weight of water. Your grain should be a little moist & not wet. Your grain should then crush but not disintegrate. You should also get less flour & the grains will look like sugar puffs. I have not had any problems sparging since I did it.

Hope your good now.

Shanna