Grinding Your Own

[quietmorning01]

I went shopping for gluten free products - wow. . .what a sticker shock!! Ouch!! (Has anyone mentioned to anyone out there in gluten-free land that we're in a recession/beginnings of a depression and deflation is the mode of the day, not inflation??!) There are some products I will probably buy and keep buying, but my flours? Unless I want a specialty flour that I CANNOT get the seeds, I'd rather grind my own, thankyouverymuch.

So yesterday I purchased two products:

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

and

The Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Processor (which grinds and chops)

(We use the Automatic Burr Mill here already for coffee, but it died, so I was wanting to replace it, anyway. )

I tried the Mini-Prep Plus Processor, first. My trial was with white long grain rice. (Since we have so MUCH of it!)

To put it bluntly - it will grind something to the size just large enough NOT to pass through a sieve. We made many many 20 second grind attempts between last night and this morning. We were able to produce maybe a teaspoon of large grained flour that would pass through the flour sieve and that's it. You can not turn it on and leave it, you have to stand there and hold the grind button down for each 'on' status. Grrr. . . I so didn't like that.

The purchase price was about $40 bucks.

Clean up would be easy, though, if it worked. **smirk**

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill oh my garsh, what a dream. I put two cups of rice into the bin, placed the setting on FINE - and 10 cups, and turned it on and LEFT IT. (I'm so in love with this thing.) Came back to it to see what it was doing when I heard it go off (it will need to be turned back on, it measures the amount to make 10 cups of coffee, perfectly - but that's the highest setting, which is a small inconvenience for grinding flour. The flour was FLOUR. . . it was beautiful!! Very fine - perfect for what I want to use it for. Oh my gosh, I'm in love.

The one huge draw back is that the entry cannister is NOT removable, so I'm a little perplexed on how to clean it. The exit cannister is removable and can be cleaned easily. I'll have to read the directions and see what I can do to clean it. I'll come back and make a post about that when I figure it out.

**EDIT: I read the directions, the ENTRY container DOES come off for cleaning! **happy dances** and it cleans just fine!

I made two full cups of flour this morning in about 10 minutes total.

The purchase price was about $60.

[MNBeth]

Just curious - was it cost that led you to pursue these two items rather than a grain mill?

[dilettantesteph]

I use my $15 coffee grinder I got at WalMart. Cheaper and fresher than buying flour, but I only do 1/2 cup at a time.

[purple]

I use my $15 coffee grinder I got at WalMart. Cheaper and fresher than buying flour, but I only do 1/2 cup at a time.

So what all do you grind? I only use mine for flax seed so far.

[RiceGuy]

Thank you for this great review!

I looked into grinding my own flour, but I couldn't find the grains and beans at a low enough price to make it worth it. Last I calculated, making gluten-free breads is still cheaper than buying whole wheat bread at the supermarket. Although, it would sure be nice to get gluten-free flours as cheap as wheat flours.

Can the Cuisinart grind beans into fine flour too?

[Crimson]

I've thought about getting a grain mill. But, I use my $15 walmart coffee grinder too! It works great and if it breaks, it's not expensive to replace. I don't bake large amounts or use many grains *my system doesn't like grains* usually almonds ground for flower. Perfect for me.

[dilettantesteph]

With my $15 grinder I can grind flax seed, amaranth, quinoa, sorghum, teff, millet, buckwheat, and rice. I tried popcorn once and fried it. I don't recommend that! I do it partly because whole grains keep better than flours, so I can buy in bulk. Nuts didn't work well. I haven't tried beans.

[quietmorning01]

Just curious - was it cost that led you to pursue these two items rather than a grain mill?

No, the grain mills run from inexpensive to way expensive. We live in an antique house with an antique kitchen - and there just isn't any room for a grain mill. So, I was looking for something that is compact, very functional and can sit on something instead of attach to something (the only place I can put one is on the microwave - we have a very small center kitchen cart, but that's it as far as counter space.) I also wanted something I could turn on and leave, as I tend to be incredibly busy most of the time.

I did read the directions and found that the one I liked IS easy to clean. It DOES come apart.

[quietmorning01]

I use my $15 coffee grinder I got at WalMart. Cheaper and fresher than buying flour, but I only do 1/2 cup at a time.

I wanted something that would do at least two cups at a time. But I think, I'll take your idea and get one for back up in case I need to travel or something.

[quietmorning01]

Thank you for this great review!

I looked into grinding my own flour, but I couldn't find the grains and beans at a low enough price to make it worth it. Last I calculated, making gluten-free breads is still cheaper than buying whole wheat bread at the supermarket. Although, it would sure be nice to get gluten-free flours as cheap as wheat flours.

Can the Cuisinart grind beans into fine flour too?

I **used** to buy the nice multigrains that have the double wrapper for about $3. I bought a rice loaf yesterday - it is half the size of a full loaf of a multigrain, and it's cost was nearly double. And the rice was the cheapest loaf there!! I am in the process of looking for grains - I found a few places on the net that sell in bulk. Once I go through the sites, I'll try them and run a critque here on them.

I got spoiled in England - it was easy to find bins full of whole grains you could grind yourself. The only place I've seen that so far, here in the States is in Southern California. (A whole food store I used to shop at.) I'll keep looking though. If I can't find the grains, there are always a multitude of rices to find and more than enough dried beans - a good start for now.

Ha, millet is bird seed. . .I may find myself out checking out the bird seed aisle at some point!!

I will post what I find when and if I can find something reasonable and helpful to post.

[quietmorning01]

Can the Cuisinart grind beans into fine flour too?

Oops!! Forgot to answer your question! Sorry about that! Yes, it does a great job in grinding beans!

[quietmorning01]

I've thought about getting a grain mill. But, I use my $15 walmart coffee grinder too! It works great and if it breaks, it's not expensive to replace. I don't bake large amounts or use many grains *my system doesn't like grains* usually almonds ground for flower. Perfect for me.

I'd like to try almond flour, I love the taste of almonds! I do a lot of baking - so I wanted something that could make at least two cups of flour quickly without much effort on my part, so this suits my needs perfectly. I'm glad to know that the smaller grinders work as well - that's a good travel idea!

[quietmorning01]

With my $15 grinder I can grind flax seed, amaranth, quinoa, sorghum, teff, millet, buckwheat, and rice. I tried popcorn once and fried it. I don't recommend that! I do it partly because whole grains keep better than flours, so I can buy in bulk. Nuts didn't work well. I haven't tried beans.

Yeah, I think that's one of the reason's I stay away from the rotation grinders, they tend to 'roast' the food product some. Do you grind popcorn for corn meal? I never thought of that! **grins** Where do you buy your grains from?

[dilettantesteph]

Buckwheat: www.thebirkettmills.com

Cornmeal: www.kinnikinnick.com

Millet: www.edenfoods.com

Teff: www.teffco.com

Quinoa: www.quinoa.net

Rice: Lundberg

Sorghum: www.twinvalleymills.com

That's where I get my grains. They are also super gluten free for super sensitives like me.

[RiceGuy]

Shipping tends to turn a good deal bad, so I try to get all my flours from one place at one time. I get them at www.barryfarm.com.

[krystal]

Ha, millet is bird seed. . .I may find myself out checking out the bird seed aisle at some point!!

Please don't do that....

Bird seed is not subject to the same FDA requirements as millet is with food. I'll give you a little story that will surely cure you of this endeavor.

I bought a bag of millet for my birds, but was too lazy to put it out in the shed in a container, so I kept it in the container in my kitchen. Some time later, I noticed maggot-looking things crawling all over my walls in the kitchen. Can you say YUCK?!?! I thought it was some food that had dropped and gone under the cupboards (we were building at the time) and then opened the millet container to feed the birds. It was literally crawling. After pitching it out, I researched and found that bird seed is a common host to the eggs of "pantry moths" that then hatch and turn into larva (maggot-type things) and then moths. I had to throw out all of my dry goods as the moths had gotten into every box and container. I was still finding those nasty things over a month later even after keeping all things stored tightly.

So, I highly recommend you keep your millet search to grains deliberately distributed for human consumption, unless you want some extra stuff in it.

[quietmorning01]

Please don't do that....

Bird seed is not subject to the same FDA requirements as millet is with food. I'll give you a little story that will surely cure you of this endeavor.

I bought a bag of millet for my birds, but was too lazy to put it out in the shed in a container, so I kept it in the container in my kitchen. Some time later, I noticed maggot-looking things crawling all over my walls in the kitchen. Can you say YUCK?!?! I thought it was some food that had dropped and gone under the cupboards (we were building at the time) and then opened the millet container to feed the birds. It was literally crawling. After pitching it out, I researched and found that bird seed is a common host to the eggs of "pantry moths" that then hatch and turn into larva (maggot-type things) and then moths. I had to throw out all of my dry goods as the moths had gotten into every box and container. I was still finding those nasty things over a month later even after keeping all things stored tightly.

So, I highly recommend you keep your millet search to grains deliberately distributed for human consumption, unless you want some extra stuff in it.

I wasn't serious at all when I said that - **chuckles** I know that birdseed isn't meant for human consumption. I guess I should start putting a j/k next to when I'm so totally NOT serious!

ewwwwww!! Yuck!! LOL. . .heh. . I guess they have extra protein in them for the birdies, huh? *chuckles**

I do want to get a list going of tried and true whole grain producers. I've looked at a few, but there's always the nagging question of cross contamination - especially with Buckwheat.

[quietmorning01]

Buckwheat: www.thebirkettmills.com

Cornmeal: www.kinnikinnick.com

Millet: www.edenfoods.com

Teff: www.teffco.com

Quinoa: www.quinoa.net

Rice: Lundberg

Sorghum: www.twinvalleymills.com

That's where I get my grains. They are also super gluten free for super sensitives like me.

Ah!! I'm so glad I looked back a page to see what else was replied! Thank you so much for putting this list here!!

[MNBeth]

I bought a bag of millet for my birds, but was too lazy to put it out in the shed in a container, so I kept it in the container in my kitchen. Some time later, I noticed maggot-looking things crawling all over my walls in the kitchen. Can you say YUCK?!?! I thought it was some food that had dropped and gone under the cupboards (we were building at the time) and then opened the millet container to feed the birds. It was literally crawling. After pitching it out, I researched and found that bird seed is a common host to the eggs of "pantry moths" that then hatch and turn into larva (maggot-type things) and then moths. I had to throw out all of my dry goods as the moths had gotten into every box and container. I was still finding those nasty things over a month later even after keeping all things stored tightly.

I had a similar experience w/birdseed, only it was in our front hall closet. That was also where I kept my buckets of wheat for milling, and I thought that's where they were coming from. It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that it was that dumb bag of birdseed - for the feeder someone gave us that we never did get around to putting up!

I'm glad it wasn't in my kitchen. I did have them get into 2-3 things in there, but that was all. Miraculously, my big buckets of wheat sealed tightly enough to keep them out of that! Gives me the willies just to think about the whole experience!

[RiceGuy]

quietmorning01: How does the granularity of the flour from the Cuisinart compare to the gluten-free flours on the market? Is it really fine enough to make non-gritty breads? Finer than the typical rice flour?

[quietmorning01]

quietmorning01: How does the granularity of the flour from the Cuisinart compare to the gluten-free flours on the market? Is it really fine enough to make non-gritty breads? Finer than the typical rice flour?

You know, I didn't even think to comapre with a professionally milled flour - I'll get a bag of rice flour and get a recipe and compare each. It may take me a few days, but it beats the heck out of you spending the money on the coffee mill and finding that it doesn't suit your needs. I'll try to do this before the new week is out.

This would make for an excellent test - thanks for asking.

[quietmorning01]

quietmorning01: How does the granularity of the flour from the Cuisinart compare to the gluten-free flours on the market? Is it really fine enough to make non-gritty breads? Finer than the typical rice flour?

RiceGuy, I went by the store this afternoon and picked up some rice flour. I compared the two - my ground and the store bought milled, and mine is a 'little' grainier. . .but not by much - I mean the difference is VERY slight. I'm going to dig up a recipe in the next day or two and do a baking comparison and see how it goes. I also thought I might regrind my flour to see if it will get any finer with a second pass through - just out of curiosity.

I'll let you know what I come up with. (I soooo love playing in the kitchen!)

[RiceGuy]

Thanks quietmorning01! If the rice flour gets ground well enough, then I'm sure other grains will be even better, since it seems the only flour prone to graininess that I'm aware of is rice flour. And I think you're right - the second pass through will likely improve it too.

[quietmorning01]

Thanks quietmorning01! If the rice flour gets ground well enough, then I'm sure other grains will be even better, since it seems the only flour prone to graininess that I'm aware of is rice flour. And I think you're right - the second pass through will likely improve it too.

Any suggestions for a recipe to bake something with from a kitchen that hasn't been converted, yet? I did purchase some gluten-free flour and some gluten free pancake mix (though I'm rather enjoying losing this extra poundage - won't be eating pancakes for a bit!) We're doing a complete kitchen tear down, clean up and conversion this weekend.

BTW, I read you signiture to my husband, I don't think we'll ever look at meteors or twinkies the same ever again! **laughing**

[RiceGuy]

Any suggestions for a recipe to bake something with from a kitchen that hasn't been converted, yet? I did purchase some gluten-free flour and some gluten free pancake mix (though I'm rather enjoying losing this extra poundage - won't be eating pancakes for a bit!) We're doing a complete kitchen tear down, clean up and conversion this weekend.

Hmmm...Well, what I did initially when I began gluten-free baking, was to make small amounts of different flour blends, to test baking performance. I usually would make only one change in the recipe at a time, so I'd know what each ingredient did for the results. However, what we really want to know here is if the flour is noticeably more gritty. So, if it were me, I think I'd make something soft, so that the texture of the flour will show through more prominently. Things like biscuits, dumplings, pancakes, or muffins would probably be good to compare. The most ideal would be something that uses 100% rice flour, so you'd get the full impact of the texture.

I guess I'd use about 6 Tbsp of flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp xanthan, and a pinch of salt. Add enough water to get a dough of good consistency - one that can hold its shape on a flat surface. Then use the same amount of water for the second one, so that the only difference is the flour. Place them side by side on a baking sheet, and bake, yielding two biscuits. Just make sure you know which is which!

Judging by your comment about pancakes, I'm guessing they're usually high in calories the way you've normally eaten them. But I wouldn't suggest a whole batch anyway. I'm thinking one or two of each. After all, if they don't turn out right, it's that much less you'll have to suffer through, or sadly toss. My few attempts at pancakes suggests little or no binders. I say that because for me they always turned out gooey inside, no matter how long I cooked them. I haven't gotten around to trying it again though.

On the other hand, if you're planning a stew anyway, you could use the same basic recipe as I described for the biscuits, and drop them into the stew, for dumplings. However, the problem there is that unless the shape of each is unique, you may not be able to tell them apart.