Fits just right in the milling spot in the pantry...but how to fill it? |
Flat/straight base means round kitchen table edge won't work... |
All our kitchen countertops are too deep for the clamp |
For now, the sewing room counter will work |
I think I will have Hubby build it something special so it can be always ready to use. I don't really want the kids moving it around and having to attach it every time they need to roll oats, because when completely assembled, it's kind of top-heavy, which makes dropping it a possibility. The directions aren't super thorough, but they do say not to drop it. :-) Besides, if it means setting it up, it won't get used as much.
My current grain roller 'motor' at work :-) |
I was always disappointed that in my other roller/flaker, grains other than oats just were crushed by the rollers and turned to gravelly dust, not flakes. But this one rolled soft wheat, rye, and barley for me. The flakes aren't quite as consistent and there is a little more dust than with oats, but I am thrilled.
One roller. The grain goes down in where you see the steel plate angled out. |
As a builder and woodworker, and instructor who has taught classes in metalwork, wood technology, construction, and even small engines, he is someone who appreciates a well-made tool. He oohed and ahhed over what he discovered inside the Family Grain Mill roller/flaker. He admired the German engineering with the simplicity of the design, the high quality bearing, the close tolerances of the moving parts, and how every part fit into every other part so precisely as it went together. He approved of the materials used (steel and Teflon) for durability and smooth operation.
So, so far, 2 thumbs up for this tool from our house.
Thanks for the great review! Love the close up taken apart pics. They discuss how close tolerances are so important in making a finely engineered product in WD's intro to engineering class. I'll show him these pics when he gets home from school today. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour experience with milling and rolling/flaking grains is such an inspiration. Stupid, I know, but I have wondered what rolled oats are and if there is any significant difference cooking with steel cut and rolled oats. Nice review. Thanks for the pictures.
ReplyDeleteCotehele
Never saw or heard of one of those but I suppose it's all the city living I do. It will be interesting to see how you like the results -- as you say with big batches it's a lot of milling. Those perhaps it will be perfect for certain things. Always glad to see you stop by. Still interested to hear how the IL kitchen is progressing. Will watch for that, too. Jane
ReplyDeleteIntro to Engineering sounds like a great and interesting class for WD!
ReplyDeleteWell, Cotehele, I've used rolled oats all my life and have little experience with steel cut, so we're just opposite. The steel cut ones I've had seemed similar to cracked grains... Makes good hot cereal, and could go in bread, but not the same as rolled for things like cookies, and granola?
Jane, it is a lot of milling, but this one does a better/quicker job than the Shule mill, so we're not suffering. We definitely prefer the results to something like Quaker Oats. Using the mill is especially bearable for things like morning oatmeal (each person can roll their own 1/2 cup), and the kids don't balk at rolling 3 or 4 cups for cookies...But doing 12 cups for granola was a job for which I'd prefer to use electricity!
Oh, forgot to address the question about the in-laws' house. Not anything to create a post about or show pics of yet. It is now painted, I hear, but I haven't seen the result. Appliances are here and waiting to go in as we get ready. DH is putting in toekicks and kitchen flooring this weekend, so he can install cabinet boxes soon. Doors and drawer fronts are ordered. Vinyl goes in the bathrooms this week, and I have been assigned to choosing lighting fixtures. We obviously didn't make the hoped for deadline, which was today. Lots to do, lots to do. Poor DH has much more of the load than I, and his full-time job besides.
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love this! And so would I. Would much prefer their kitchen time spent rolling oats than cutting.
ReplyDeleteMust taste so fresh!
Do you cut your own oats? Is there a gadget for that?
ReplyDelete