What makes grinding your own healthier?

I agree - I wouldn't be doing it if I weren't near the coop group. Before I found it, I checked into shipping grain and it costs almost as much as the grain!

As far as the grain mill cost, my Kitchen Mill cost around $190, I think. I'm sure that they very expensive ones are better, but I could not justify that big of a purchase. I'm pretty sure that my mill has a lifetime warranty on the motor anyway.

BTW, some health food stores carry grain too or can order it for you. You have probably looked into this already anyway. I agree with you, I don't think it saves me any money (haven't really put the pencil to it completely), but it definitely is healthier.

Hope you have a good night.

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Just clay,
Rosemary
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Hi Vickylynn,

Just to give you a quick answer on the health part of it. A lot of grain products today are made with "enriched" flour. They just used the inside of the grain and left off the vitamin/fiber filled outer coating of the grain. When you grind your own grain , you mill the entire grain, getting ALL of the vitamins and fiber that God put there. Also, by milling your flour before using it, there is very little oxidation of the vitamins.

You're also not adding high fructose corn syrup to your breads, like some of the companies do. You control what goes into your foods.

I tried not to get long winded, but it's hard for me!! Hope that you have a great night!

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Just clay,
Rosemary
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Thanks for all the great replies!

About the cost, $1/lb is pretty high. I can get it for about .53 cents a lb at our food co-op and I know people who get it way cheaper than that. Plus, wheat is a little high right now, but the price is starting to go back down.

Grinding your grains is healthier, because once it's ground, it immediately starts to lose valuable nutrients. The flour you buy at the store has not only been stripped of it's nutrients, but it will go bad a lot faster than whole grains, which can last indefinitely if stored properly!

Pleasant Hill Grain has a nice Nutrimill for around $250, so it doesn't have to cost you $700-800 for one. I've also seen a lot on ebay that have gone for even cheaper.

I noticed recently that the healthier breads are becoming so expensive, and we've been eating 2-3 loaves a week, since both DS and I are in school and taking our lunches.

Those that DO mill your grain, what types of wheat do you buy? I know there are white, red, hard, soft...I'm confused about the different types.

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Thanks. Could I bother you with a couple more questions? If you grind your own, your loaves are 100% whole wheat (or whatever grain you use), right?

How do you get them to raise? I've tried making whole wheat bread using store-bought flour and gluten - but was not successful. Locally, the only whole grain bread I can find without HFCS is $3.50 for a small loaf. My family goes through a lot of bread! I've been buying it, but if I thought I could make some successfully, I'd consider getting a grain mill for my Kitchen Aid.

I can't believe you mill your own grain! I have never heard of anyone doing that before and it turns out that a few of you do.

That is pretty amazing. I make a lot of homemade bread but I have never even thought of milling my own grain. I didn't even know that you could buy it that way.

I am so excited to see this post. I went friday to an estate sale with my mother and got a mill- it is hand crank- it was $10. Any pointers???

Vickylynn -

Forgive me, but are you using yeast? My recipe (well, it's not mine, I found it online) has quite a bit of yeast - what are you using? It will work fine with regular flour at the store or milled at home flour.

I am still a novice at this so please correct me if I'm wrong. Here is how I understand the differences in the grain so far...

Hard Red Wheat - This is what I use for our daily sandwich bread. I also love it's nutty flavor in muffins. It is what I call the "wheatiest" flavor of all. It is also the darkest brown.

Hard White Wheat - This is the lighter of the two - both in texture and color. I use this for Italian breads, focaccia and hamburger buns.

Soft White Wheat - This cannot "rise." It is too soft so don't try. I use this for my pancakes, waffles. It also works in cookies - but you have to add more of this flour than you would traditional store bought flour.

I hope all of this helps somewhat. Like I said, I am still very new at this. I have several other types of grain that I haven't experiemented with yet (rye, spelt, millet).

Hope you guys have a nice night.

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God bless you and your day!
Just clay,
Rosemary
ray:

Sawick -

You are brave!! Let me know how it goes - I am definitely too lazy for a handmill. I can't give you any pointers b/c I've only used an electric one. I bet it's really cool though - can't wait to hear how it works. Keep us posted!

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Just clay,
Rosemary
ray:

I have been milling my wheat for about a year and LOVE it. I have a Nutrimill and it is amazing.I make bread almost everyday ( with a GREAT bread machine ). It makes big high loaves, not round ones, and we eat about a loaf a day. I use a mixture of hard red, hard white, and spelt. My recipie includes, water, salt, 1 egg, honey, olive oil, freshly milled wheat flour, 1 tbspn wheat gluten,and 1 tblspn yeast. that is all.
I can see a difference in my son's moods, behavior as a result of this, and maybe in combination of the freshly milled wheat and the raw milk we get from a farmer friend. I am a believer!