A few years ago, I wrote a post about grinding wheat (in my first ever blog video – please ignore the less than ideal set up). If you’ve never milled your own wheat or even heard of it, I promise it’s not as crazy as it sounds! It’s actually fairly simple (kind of like grinding your own coffee), and it also has so many benefits including, in my opinion, flour with a much better taste.
One thing that I can honestly say about my last mill is that while I loved the functionality of it, it was a rather large, futuristic-looking appliance that I definitely put away after every use. So when NutriMill told me about their newest bamboo Harvest Grain Mill, I was super excited to try it out! Just check out how pretty it is…even pretty enough to leave on your counter, which would also serve as a good reminder to use it. :) And I think it’s even easier to use than my old one since there are fewer parts. Plus I also really like the smaller size and the look and feel of the eco-friendly bamboo. What a wonderful makeover!
For those of you who are not familiar with grinding your own wheat, I hope this post, which is sponsored by NutriMill, can help explain the benefits.
The reason I first wanted a mill was because, after exclusively eating white bread for many years, I learned that freshly ground wheat tastes much fresher and lighter than store bought flour/products. I used to avoid whole-wheat foods because I didn’t like the taste – but not if I use my wheat grinder! Plus there are extra nutritional benefits to grinding it fresh as well.
Benefits of Using a Grain Mill
- You save money. Grind as much (or as little) as you want, without waste. Commercial flours and mixes expire, but whole grains (before you grind them) don’t.
- Know what’s in your flour. Nothing bad is added, and nothing good is removed. You can be sure it’s the entire grain and nothing else!
- Use it for bean flours (see ideas below).
- Those who are gluten free can use it for various types of flour, including corn.
Harvest Grain Mill Features
- Texture control: grind anything from coarsely cracked grains (for cereals) to ultra-fine flour.
- It’s pretty! There are 6 color choices with a small footprint, making it perfectly acceptable to keep on the counter.
- It’s designed and assembled in the USA. Hard to go wrong there!
- 5-year warranty. In fact, truth be told, I had a minor warranty issue with my NutriMill Classic recently. I sent it back and in just a couple of weeks it was returned to me fixed, no questions asked. So there is good peace of mind for such an investment!
Ways to Use a Mill
- Prepare homemade baby food – quinoa, barley, millet, rice, and oats for cereals or dried peas/lentils.
- Grind oat groats or buckwheat right into your cereal bowl for raw muesli.
- Make healthy instant protein powder – quinoa, oat, or buckwheat flour. You probably know I’m not a fan of processed protein powders, so this is a great real-food alternative.
- Grind 100% whole-grain cornmeal from dried corn for masa, tortillas, and corn bread (this mill does NOT mill popcorn).
- Easily add bean and lentil flours to baked goods such as cookies, brownies, breakfast bars, or power muffins.
- Use chickpea flour for a creamy hummus (no gritty texture!), black or pinto bean flour for quick soups, bean dips, and refried beans.
- Make fresh pasta from alternative grains such as buckwheat or quinoa.
- Put cracked grains in pilafs and stuffings or use as meat extenders/replacers for burgers and meatballs.
- Grind white bean flour as a gluten-free thickener for soups or sauces.
- Add cracked grains to bread for more texture.
- Experiment with a variety of whole grain flours to replace white flour for ALL breads and baked goods.
We all know that there are SO many appliances out there and only so much space to store all these things, but I can honestly say that the NutriMill makes my short list of products to help make real food. It’s not difficult to get started, and as I mentioned – above all – it by far gives you the best tasting whole-grain products. Anyone else with me when it comes to grinding your own grains? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
3 Real Food Meals Using Ingredients from Target
We have a Nutrimill as well, just not this fancy version :) We love grinding our own flours. My husband and children eat whole wheat bread, and I eat Gluten Free breads that I make. We actually save a lot of money by baking our own breads. Sandwich bread, english muffins, bagels, italian or french breads, muffins, pie crusts, etc. It is important however to store any extra flour you grind (especially wheat) in a freezer Zip Loc bag and store it that way, up to 30 days. When wheat is ground, the oils in it cause the wheat to go rancid after about two days. I know people who will fill their counter flour canister full of fresh ground whole wheat flour, just like you would if you were to purchase a bag of whole wheat flour, but if it is freshly ground, you want to freeze it. Store bought whole wheat flour has had oils and minerals removed and put back in after processing, except not all of it was put back in, which allows store bought to sit out on the counter longer than fresh ground.
I have been milling wheat and other grains for years and loving it! The health benefits to freshly ground flour are amazing and it’s surprising how little it is talked about in the nutrition world. For a while I focused on making muffins, pancakes, and drop biscuits, as well as cooked cereals (which are so great for babies). This was such an easy way to start with the milled grains. Then I ventured into bread making, which turned out to be a lot less complicated than I thought! My family LOVES everything that we make.
I encourage everyone to try milling…it’s not as old fashioned as it seems!
This is cool. If I didn’t already have a Vitamix with a dry container to make my own flours, I would consider this. It’s functional and attractive too.
This is going on my Christmas list!
I also agree about seeing more recipes with milled ingredients. I’ve milled wheat for a couple years now, but I would like to take my recipes to another nutritional level.
I have ground my own flour for several years now and it’s wonderful!
I have to say though, that this is the kind of mill to have!! I have the German version because the harvest mill wasn’t available yet, but they are really similar and it is so much nicer to use than my old impact miller! Totally worth the initial cost!!!
I love being able to quickly grind a bit of flour for all our needs. We do sourdough bread, pancakes, waffles,muffins, biscuits, you name it :)
I haven’t grind any beans yet and I’d love to hear about making hummus from fresh chickpea flour!!!!
I love grinding my own flours! I have found that kamut makes excellent breads and pancakes!!
I’ve been milling my own wheat and baking my own bread for 11 years.
Very healthy. My Nutrimil is much bigger.
They are great!
Since long my wife is pushing me to find some ways to grind our own organic wheat. I think I am on the right site. I hope someone will help and guide me for this.
Thanks.
Francis Gill
I have been grinding hard red and white wheat but have yet to make a successful loaf of bread using my bread machine or baking in the oven. Can you share a recipe for whole wheat bread using the wheat you have ground? Thanks so much.
Hi there. Here ya go: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/17/recipe-honey-whole-wheat-sandwich-bread-for-bread-machine/.
Hi,
This might seem a silly question but where do you find the whole grains that you then grind into the flours?
Hi Jess. You can find wheat berries and other whole grains at health food stores or you can find a large selection online.
You might want to look into a local co-op to be a part of that would help reduce shipping cost on large quantities of grain. If you live in the SE part of the US, there is http://www.breadbeckers.com. I have found that purchasing wheat berries in the health stores is SO much more expensive!
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and have been reaping the benefits of freshly milled grains and beans for quite some years now! I only use freshly milled flour to feed my family and to recommend to my clients. What a nutritional powerhouse of nutrients and a superb flavor! I have quite a few recipes on my food blog that use freshly milled flour — hamburger buns, pitas, and more! I sell grains and freshly milled flour to individuals (I package in tri-ply packaging to preserve freshness!) through my website http://www.ingrainedliving.com. I live in the Nashville, TN area and enjoy teaching real-food cooking classes and bread making classes. I love this new countertop mill! Thanks, Lisa, for some great inspiration and for championing real food!!