The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Shopping for Komo Grain Mill

rockrash12@gmail.com's picture
rockrash12@gmail.com

Shopping for Komo Grain Mill

Hi Need advice . I am new to baking Bread but I'm hooked.I Have been playing around for 3 years with store bought flour and had enough. Not saying store bought flour is bad just want to expand. So i am shopping for a KoMo Grain Mill my dilemma is new or one i found on clearance. I will be saving $55.00 it was a returned. It will have the same 12 warranty. I called they said it may be dinged or someone just changed their mind but in new working order? It is not refurbished just returned and they cant sell as new. What do you think of a Komo  clearance Grain Mills.  Is it Worth taking a chance would have to pay shipping to send back if not happy ?    

ElPanadero's picture
ElPanadero

A grain mill like a Komo or Schnitzer with corundum stones will last many many years even if used daily. It's a one-time purchase imo. Thus I would go for a new one to be sure you have a machine to last a lifetime. The used one MAY be ok but would the vendor really know about the inner workings? Maybe the previous owner put something through it that they shouldn't have, maybe they put something damp in it, maybe they did something to the stones. Maybe they stressed the motor. Who knows? If you could examine it properly before purchase, take the back off, inspect the stones then perhaps worth a gamble. Myself, I would buy new, purely because it's a one-time purchase, so might as well get it right.

If you are worried about the $55, bear in mind that by using a grain mill you will no longer be buying lots of flour but buying grains instead. As grains last indefinitely you'll be able to buy it in 25kg sacks for a fraction of the price you were probably buying flour for. So you'll be making savings anyway.

ATB

baliw2's picture
baliw2

Corundum is also known as Aluminum Oxide. I would not like these particles which have been linked to Alzheimer's in bread. Why hasn't anybody discussed this here? It's also on the hazardous substances list.

rockrash12@gmail.com's picture
rockrash12@gmail.com

I was thinking the same thing don't Know why they returned it .Was it not to their liking , was not operating right . Sounds to risky to me also. Thanks that settles it I'm  going new.  Thanks for a second opinion !

OakLeaf Farm 1716's picture
OakLeaf Farm 1716 (not verified)

The Komo Grain Mills (Classic and Fidibus)  are on sale right now in both Pleasant Grain Hill and Breadtopia website I think till Jan 1st.

rockrash12@gmail.com's picture
rockrash12@gmail.com

Yes thank you placed a order with Breadtopia yesterday. The KoMo Classic & the 21 are 100.00 off original price i got the classic . Dont Know if its a Holiday sale they never go on sale !! Got Lucky i Guess .

baliw2's picture
baliw2

I'm not sure I want that in my food!

rockrash12@gmail.com's picture
rockrash12@gmail.com

Aluminum Taste good LOL.   I use aluminum foil too OMG !!! Al kidding aside i really don't what to get into a stone vs impact debate.

rockrash12@gmail.com's picture
rockrash12@gmail.com

    Discussed this here                      http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/14546/wolfgangkomo-mill-stone-safety

ElPanadero's picture
ElPanadero

concerning the materials used for mill stones over time.

http://myhomegrainmill.dtdns.net/about-millstones.html

"All millstones release a small amount of material into the flour made with them over their lifespan and inevitably, that will be ingested by the people eating the food made from the flour. However, the authorities determined that the particals are so small that they do not represent a hazard and that the quantities involved are harmless to humans."

As others have stated, corundum is exceptionally hard and only minute trace particles of ANY millstone end up in the flour. I would expect that if I were to put a metal burr in between my corundum stones, the stones would easily grind the metal into nothing. Therefore I would be far more worried owning a grain mill with metal burrs than one with corundum stones.

All this aside. if you are worried about aluminium in all it's forms, then you should consider whether or not you are currently using any form of under-arm anti-perspirant, whether roll-on or spray-on. Just about every one of these contains a form of aluminium.

baliw2's picture
baliw2

use anti-perspirant because it has aluminun. Good to check the EWG before using any household or personal products.