There is also an electric version that is just outstanding.
Check it out! http://www.year-supply.com/wonder-mill-products.html
Thanks for looking.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
New Product - Wonder Mill
I've got a new mill for sale now. For those who wanted an all-metal grain mill that actually out-performs the Country Living Mill.
There is also an electric version that is just outstanding.
Check it out! http://www.year-supply.com/wonder-mill-products.html
Thanks for looking.
There is also an electric version that is just outstanding.
Check it out! http://www.year-supply.com/wonder-mill-products.html
Thanks for looking.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Family Grain Mill Review
In an experiment in 1970, a biochemist at the University of Texas, fed "enriched" white bread to rats for three months; two-thirds died, the others became sick (Basey). It is no wonder that more and more people are turning to whole-grain foods for sustenance; in fact, many prefer to grind their own wheat at home using table top grain mills and grinders to obtain maximal nutritional value and peace of mind. Among the various brands of grain mills on the market today, perhaps none deliver a more versatile and value-packed product than the Family Grain Mill.
The Family Grain Mill was first produced by the Messerschmidt company in Germany over 27 years ago; now, the mill utilizes state of the art materials like Lexan plastic and surgical steel burrs (Grain Mill). But why do people choose to grind their own wheat as opposed to simply buying whole wheat bread in stores? According to the FDA, breads and other products may label their food as a "whole grain food" as long as the food contains 51 percent or more whole grain ingredient(s) by weight (Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods). Freshly ground grains, on the other hand, contain 100 percent of the grain and protects against heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, prevents constipation, and offers a reliable food supply in the event of an emergency (Basey). The Family Grain Mill makes it easy to make fresh flour and provides at least two methods to grind “wheat, oat, corn, (not popcorn) rye, spelt, kamut, barley, rice, peas, most beans, coffee, flax seeds, sesame seeds, most dried herbs, dried jalapenos and other hot peppers and more” (Grain Mill).
First, the Family Grain Mill includes a hand base that attaches to a table or counter top and allows the operator to grind wheat by hand. The hand crank is metal and allows an operator to produce roughly two cups of flour in three to four minutes (one loaf of bread requires 4-6 cups of flour). The benefit of the hand base is that in the event of a man-made or natural disaster, or where electricity is not available, flour can still be milled. The crank is long enough that it can be operated by a small child, but does require manual effort and determination to mill enough flour for a batch of bread. The mill easily disassembles for cleaning and has an adjustment for very fine to coarse flour.
Second, the mill is easily motorized by attaching it to a popular mixer like a Kitchen Aid or Bosch mixer or by attaching it to the Family Grain Mill motor base. When motorized, the mill will produce over one cup per minute without overheating the flour- an important feature to retain as many nutrients as possible ("Family Grain Mill Demo"). However, even when motorized, the mill is not as fast as electric-only grinders, which can process upwards of two to three cups of grain per minute. Additionally, while it will attach to the smallest of the Kitchen Aid mixers, its motor will quickly burn up and is not recommended for use with the Family Grain Mill (Grain Mill).
Every grain mill uses some method for making flour- be it grinding, crushing, or beating. The Family Grain Mill utilizes “burrs”, a popular method for grinding the grain. In this process, two steel, stone, or composite plates, called “burrs” rotate against each other; the individual grains are fed between the two crushing or breaking the grain into flour. The Family Grain Mill's burrs are steel plates, which are grooved to aid in the feeding of the grain; the result is a finely “cut” flour as opposed to a “crushed” flour than stone or composite burrs produce- although the steel burs will eventually wear out sooner than stone or composites. The adjustment mechanism on the mill controls the distance between the plates and allows for varying degrees of coarseness. Most electric grinders utilize high-speed “impact” method, which slings the grain into an opposing grain and explodes the grain into flour- this method is rapid, but provides no means of coarseness control and is more limited on the types of grain they can process.
At around $140 shipped, the Family Grain Mill rests firmly in the low-to-middle price range of table top wheat grinders that most families can afford. While certainly not as aesthetic or durable as an all metal grain mill, its plastic parts help to keep the manufacturing and shipping costs low, while the steel burs provide the strength and durability where it is needed the most. The Family Grain Mill's lifetime warranty on defects and nearly three decades of milling history provides the peace of mind to those seeking to grind their own flour and will complement any family's kitchen appliances.
If you enjoyed this article or found it useful in your decision to purchase a grain mil, please visit my webstore an purchase a mill from me! www.internetprepper.com
Works Cited
Basey, Marleeta F. "Why WHOLE Wheat is WAY Better." Mother Earth News 207 (2004): 76-83. GreenFILE. EBSCO. Web. 14 May 2011.
"Family Grain Mill Demo." YouTube. Web. 14 May 2011..
Grain Mill. Family Grain Mill System. Web. 14 May 2011..
United States of America. Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods. , 1999. Web. 14 May 2011..
The Family Grain Mill was first produced by the Messerschmidt company in Germany over 27 years ago; now, the mill utilizes state of the art materials like Lexan plastic and surgical steel burrs (Grain Mill). But why do people choose to grind their own wheat as opposed to simply buying whole wheat bread in stores? According to the FDA, breads and other products may label their food as a "whole grain food" as long as the food contains 51 percent or more whole grain ingredient(s) by weight (Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods). Freshly ground grains, on the other hand, contain 100 percent of the grain and protects against heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, prevents constipation, and offers a reliable food supply in the event of an emergency (Basey). The Family Grain Mill makes it easy to make fresh flour and provides at least two methods to grind “wheat, oat, corn, (not popcorn) rye, spelt, kamut, barley, rice, peas, most beans, coffee, flax seeds, sesame seeds, most dried herbs, dried jalapenos and other hot peppers and more” (Grain Mill).
First, the Family Grain Mill includes a hand base that attaches to a table or counter top and allows the operator to grind wheat by hand. The hand crank is metal and allows an operator to produce roughly two cups of flour in three to four minutes (one loaf of bread requires 4-6 cups of flour). The benefit of the hand base is that in the event of a man-made or natural disaster, or where electricity is not available, flour can still be milled. The crank is long enough that it can be operated by a small child, but does require manual effort and determination to mill enough flour for a batch of bread. The mill easily disassembles for cleaning and has an adjustment for very fine to coarse flour.
Second, the mill is easily motorized by attaching it to a popular mixer like a Kitchen Aid or Bosch mixer or by attaching it to the Family Grain Mill motor base. When motorized, the mill will produce over one cup per minute without overheating the flour- an important feature to retain as many nutrients as possible ("Family Grain Mill Demo"). However, even when motorized, the mill is not as fast as electric-only grinders, which can process upwards of two to three cups of grain per minute. Additionally, while it will attach to the smallest of the Kitchen Aid mixers, its motor will quickly burn up and is not recommended for use with the Family Grain Mill (Grain Mill).
Every grain mill uses some method for making flour- be it grinding, crushing, or beating. The Family Grain Mill utilizes “burrs”, a popular method for grinding the grain. In this process, two steel, stone, or composite plates, called “burrs” rotate against each other; the individual grains are fed between the two crushing or breaking the grain into flour. The Family Grain Mill's burrs are steel plates, which are grooved to aid in the feeding of the grain; the result is a finely “cut” flour as opposed to a “crushed” flour than stone or composite burrs produce- although the steel burs will eventually wear out sooner than stone or composites. The adjustment mechanism on the mill controls the distance between the plates and allows for varying degrees of coarseness. Most electric grinders utilize high-speed “impact” method, which slings the grain into an opposing grain and explodes the grain into flour- this method is rapid, but provides no means of coarseness control and is more limited on the types of grain they can process.
At around $140 shipped, the Family Grain Mill rests firmly in the low-to-middle price range of table top wheat grinders that most families can afford. While certainly not as aesthetic or durable as an all metal grain mill, its plastic parts help to keep the manufacturing and shipping costs low, while the steel burs provide the strength and durability where it is needed the most. The Family Grain Mill's lifetime warranty on defects and nearly three decades of milling history provides the peace of mind to those seeking to grind their own flour and will complement any family's kitchen appliances.
If you enjoyed this article or found it useful in your decision to purchase a grain mil, please visit my webstore an purchase a mill from me! www.internetprepper.com
Works Cited
Basey, Marleeta F. "Why WHOLE Wheat is WAY Better." Mother Earth News 207 (2004): 76-83. GreenFILE. EBSCO. Web. 14 May 2011.
"Family Grain Mill Demo." YouTube. Web. 14 May 2011.
Grain Mill. Family Grain Mill System. Web. 14 May 2011.
United States of America. Health Claim Notification for Whole Grain Foods. , 1999. Web. 14 May 2011.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
photos from the retreat
Building a retaining wall.
Cut wood.
View from top of mountain
It's coming along. Lots of work to do, but we will get there. The driveway is finished, shale is covering all of it. The cabin site is now level (enough). The retaining wall is started (very tough work). Still cutting wood from all the cleared trees. I have about 2 cords cut and I've barely dented it. Should have a shed build sometime this month. Getting bids for dry-in for the big cabin.
This is a model of the cabin.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Response to a reader- How to get started preparing
I got a nice letter in the mail the other day asking for advice on how to get started preparing. This was my response.
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to you. I've had a busy couple of days.
How to get started... First I highly recommend reading www.survivalblog.com everyday.
Jim Rawles runs the site and he is world-renowned for his writings on survival. I recommend that you read his novel "Patriots" and then get his book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It"
While you're waiting for those books to arrive in the mail, read this page: http://www.survivalblog.com/newbies.html
In that article, he recommends making a "list of lists". I made one and have it available for download on my website here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjwuvfnYqzE5dDFMdTZyU2J5ZTM5LWlGQjZLM29MblE&hl=en that should get you started on what you need to buy. It's spreadsheet- be sure to check the tabs at the bottom.
Another recommendation is to start now and make achievable goals. Get enough food storage for 1 week. Then 3 weeks. Then 3 months. Then 6 months... you get the idea. Get enough food to last as long as you think you need. I have 2 years worth and I'm still adding.
Start a vegetable garden, buy and get training with a firearm, learn non-21st century usable skills (First Aid, cooking, fire starting, husbandry, etc.)
Don't get overwhelmed. I know the feeling of needing to prepare and once I started, I felt so much better.
You will probably need to buy a number of things- but remember that preparedness is not about things, it's about skills- but you will likely need tools to exercise those skills.
I have a website where I sell a grain mill. www.year-supply.com You'll need one eventually and when you do, I'd appreciate it if you buy one from me.
My blog (if you start at the beginning) chronicles my preparations. I went from very little to a lot in about 2 years. I now have 2 years + of food storage, a decent sized garden, fruit trees, 10 acres of land, a 4x4 diesel truck, an assortment of guns, radios, skills (CPR and more), a diversified income, and a new network of friends. I sleep better at night knowing I can provide for my family better than I could 2 years ago. I don't say this to brag, but to let you know that you can do a lot in a short period of time.
Let me know if you need anymore help and how you're progressing. Keep in touch.
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to you. I've had a busy couple of days.
How to get started... First I highly recommend reading www.survivalblog.com everyday.
Jim Rawles runs the site and he is world-renowned for his writings on survival. I recommend that you read his novel "Patriots" and then get his book "How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It"
While you're waiting for those books to arrive in the mail, read this page: http://www.survivalblog.com/newbies.html
In that article, he recommends making a "list of lists". I made one and have it available for download on my website here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjwuvfnYqzE5dDFMdTZyU2J5ZTM5LWlGQjZLM29MblE&hl=en that should get you started on what you need to buy. It's spreadsheet- be sure to check the tabs at the bottom.
Another recommendation is to start now and make achievable goals. Get enough food storage for 1 week. Then 3 weeks. Then 3 months. Then 6 months... you get the idea. Get enough food to last as long as you think you need. I have 2 years worth and I'm still adding.
Start a vegetable garden, buy and get training with a firearm, learn non-21st century usable skills (First Aid, cooking, fire starting, husbandry, etc.)
Don't get overwhelmed. I know the feeling of needing to prepare and once I started, I felt so much better.
You will probably need to buy a number of things- but remember that preparedness is not about things, it's about skills- but you will likely need tools to exercise those skills.
I have a website where I sell a grain mill. www.year-supply.com You'll need one eventually and when you do, I'd appreciate it if you buy one from me.
My blog (if you start at the beginning) chronicles my preparations. I went from very little to a lot in about 2 years. I now have 2 years + of food storage, a decent sized garden, fruit trees, 10 acres of land, a 4x4 diesel truck, an assortment of guns, radios, skills (CPR and more), a diversified income, and a new network of friends. I sleep better at night knowing I can provide for my family better than I could 2 years ago. I don't say this to brag, but to let you know that you can do a lot in a short period of time.
Let me know if you need anymore help and how you're progressing. Keep in touch.
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