My manual grain mill is finally set up in the kitchen. I decided on the Diamant after test-driving a few models in person at the store. I’ve heard many great reviews about the Country Living Grain Mill and it is a less costly choice but I decided on the Diamant because I liked the cast iron heavy duty-ness of it. It also turned with less effort than the Country Living. I was buying this one to last a lifetime and feel I have one that will be handed down to my kids. There are cheaper and simpler options and any option is better than none in-my-opinion while you’re saving for the one you really want.
As I mentioned in an earlier post I have been wanting a grain mill for a few years. Most non-prepper-people would question my sanity at this point – what on earth for??? Stores carry huge bags of flour – if you really wanted to start baking your own bread – WHY NOT JUST BUY FLOUR OR BREAD AT THE GROCERY STORE?
The Diamant is able to grind all kinds of grains, rice, spices, sugar, nuts, seeds and coffee -someone asked me if it was a coffee grinder having never seen a grain mill – ah yes – but that would be a LOT of coffee!
Being prepared for periods without electricity and still being able to make my own bread etc. in the long term appeals to me. No electricity means no electric oven either but bread can be baked in a dutch oven over a fire or on a camp stove as well.
Here’s one of my favorite basic recipes for Irish Soda Bread – you can use wheat instead of spelt and regular milk or powdered milk instead of almond milk and oil instead of butter so the recipe is quite flexible. These ingredients are very simple to store in quantity on the shelf so it’s perfect for planning your food storage. I try to mix up the flours and grains we use to create variety and to get the benefits of some of the less common grains.
Now – get cracking with your food storage – what’s in YOUR pantry?