 I Have a Monster in My House, Mill That Is |
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 Oct 25 2007, 08:26 PM
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#1
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Brewmaster  Group: Members Posts: 2,598 Joined: 8-April 04 From: Atlanta Member No.: 2,007  |
As many of you know from a couple of other threads recently, there is a new mill on the market. It is the Monster Mill from Monster Brewing Hardware. The owner (Fred Francis) has asked me do do a review of the new mill and let yall know what I think. I was happy to do it since there has been some interest surrounding this mill, and hey, I get to play with the new toy first.
First the caveats and disclaimers, or at least the things to know. 1. Yes, Fred is a friend of mine. However, I told him if I was going to review the mill, it would be an honest open review. He told me he that was what he wanted. 2. I am in no way getting compensated for the review, and when I am done, I am giving it back.....unless I brek it. Then I am buying it. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/wink.gif) 3. I currently have a CrankandStein 3-roller mill that I love and anticipate that I will use the rest of my brewing days. Because it is the only mill I have ever owned, it is my only comparison point. If the other mill manufacturers want to loan me one, I would be glad to do more comparisons. Also, if I make comments about the C&S, it is only a comparison. I am not trying to belittle it or add to the drama that is already surrounding these two mills. Again, it is my only frame of reference. 4. Speaking of the drama, I don't want to entertain any of it here. There are other threads for that. This is about the first look at the new mill. Blah blah blah. Let's get to the good stuff. So I got the new mill this afternoon, and my very first impression even before opening the box was "this thing is freakin heavy!" So I proceeded to open the box and take a few pics. (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill01.jpg) (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill02.jpg) So then I pulled out my scale. I just had to check. It tips the scales at about 7.5 pounds! (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill06.jpg) After that I got my C&S three roller and took some pictures for comparison: (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill03.jpg) (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill04.jpg) (IMG:http://www.monsterbrewinghardware.com/MonsterMill05.jpg) I have begun making a base and all so that I can grind some grain and actually test it. Unfortunately I have company this evening, so I will not be able to get any farther with the review. So stay tuned for the next installment. I will actually begin doing review and commentary probably tomorrow or Sat. If you have any questions about the mill or what I am doing or want more/different pictures, just let me know. This post has been edited by ChefLamont: Oct 25 2007, 09:01 PM |
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Oct 25 2007, 08:34 PM
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#2
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 3,717 Joined: 3-June 06 From: Numazu, Japan Member No.: 5,655 |
Pictures didn't come through for me. It it me or is it that the pics are missing?
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Oct 25 2007, 08:37 PM
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#3
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 661 Joined: 19-December 04 Member No.: 3,181 |
QUOTE(just-cj @ Oct 25 2007, 08:34 PM)  Pictures didn't come through for me. It it me or is it that the pics are missing? Same here dj |
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Oct 25 2007, 08:38 PM
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#4
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 524 Joined: 31-January 06 From: Kitchener, ON Member No.: 5,169 |
They came through fine for me a couple of minutes ago but now I don't see them either.
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Oct 25 2007, 09:03 PM
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#5
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 2,598 Joined: 8-April 04 From: Atlanta Member No.: 2,007 |
Sorry. I still use an old Geocities acct that has a low throughput limit.
Should be good now. |
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Oct 25 2007, 09:06 PM
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#6
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 644 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Charlotte, NC Member No.: 4,793 |
The picture web host displays this message:
QUOTE Sorry, this GeoCities site is currently unavailable. The GeoCities web site you were trying to view has temporarily exceeded its data transfer limit. Please try again later. ChefLamont, I think this topic is going to get a huge amount of looks and hits. If you want - I can host the pictures for you. Data rate is not an issue and My host has only been down for about 1 hour over the last 6 years. Let me know.. (PM me..) |
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Oct 25 2007, 09:13 PM
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#7
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 524 Joined: 31-January 06 From: Kitchener, ON Member No.: 5,169 |
QUOTE(P-J @ Oct 25 2007, 10:06 PM) My host has only been down for about 1 hour over the last 6 years. That just means they're due... |
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Oct 25 2007, 09:13 PM
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#8
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 2,598 Joined: 8-April 04 From: Atlanta Member No.: 2,007 |
Thanks for the offer. I got Fred to host them for me on the monsterbrewinghardware.com server. I agree that this might get some attention. If we melt Fred's server, I'll call ya. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)
QUOTE That just means they're due... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/rolf.gif) This post has been edited by ChefLamont: Oct 25 2007, 09:14 PM |
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Oct 25 2007, 09:35 PM
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#9
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 644 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Charlotte, NC Member No.: 4,793 |
QUOTE(BikeBrewer @ Oct 25 2007, 10:13 PM) That just means they're due... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/banghead.gif) That's funny..!! Thanks, I needed the laugh. My ISP is mirrored and is a commercial provider. I've had excellent experience with them as well as several businesses that I'm aware of. But - You are probably right. (IMG:http://www.pjmuth.org/beerstuff/images/rotflmao.gif) |
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Oct 25 2007, 10:09 PM
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#10
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 5,646 Joined: 17-February 04 From: Home of the Jayhawks Member No.: 1,743 |
Are the thumbscrews on the Monster mill the same thing as the setscrews on the CS that hold the detent knobs??
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Oct 26 2007, 12:07 AM
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#11
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Brewer Group: Members Posts: 282 Joined: 25-October 07 From: Hotlanta Member No.: 10,340 |
Thanks for the pics ChefLamont! I just got done ordering a $99 MONSTER myself as it looks to be a QUALITY Mill. I have every confidence that Fred will sell as good or better mills with Monster than he did with C & S. Once I get my mill I will post a small review of it once I run some grain through it.
Oh, and this is my 1st post on the BB... I have finally succumbed to the GREEN (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/crazy.gif) |
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Oct 26 2007, 08:12 AM
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#12
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Brewer Group: Members Posts: 303 Joined: 2-March 07 From: La Center, WA Member No.: 8,567 |
QUOTE(BikeBrewer @ Oct 25 2007, 07:13 PM) That just means they're due... What? Like a slot machine that hasn't paid out in awhile? Are both rollers driven on that mill or just one? |
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Oct 26 2007, 08:33 AM
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#13
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Brewer Group: Members Posts: 213 Joined: 18-October 06 From: College Park MD Member No.: 6,676 |
I see 3 improvements over my crank.
1) Knurled detent knobs to adjust the gap. (like the original C&S, but unlike the current one!) 2) Actual Thumb set screws to hold the detent. (My C&S came with the "improved" hex head bolts!) 3) Longer. (I dont care what she says size matters!) Please get out the callipers and tell me if the bolt pattern for the base and hopper are square. This will be the final selling point for me. |
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Oct 26 2007, 09:33 AM
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#14
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 2,598 Joined: 8-April 04 From: Atlanta Member No.: 2,007 |
QUOTE(blktre @ Oct 25 2007, 11:09 PM) Are the thumbscrews on the Monster mill the same thing as the setscrews on the CS that hold the detent knobs?? Yes, you loosen the thumb screws to be able to turn the detent knobs. Once you have the gap set, you tighten them back down to keep the gap right there. QUOTE Are both rollers driven on that mill or just one? Just one. The other is free spinning. whodatpat: I obviously will have to wait till I am home and can to some measuring to answer your question. |
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Oct 26 2007, 12:55 PM
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#15
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Brewmaster Group: Members Posts: 5,646 Joined: 17-February 04 From: Home of the Jayhawks Member No.: 1,743 |
QUOTE(ChefLamont @ Oct 26 2007, 09:33 AM) Yes, you loosen the thumb screws to be able to turn the detent knobs. Once you have the gap set, you tighten them back down to keep the gap right there. Good........were gonna just get our own set screws for our CS to do just that. I told Fred that that issue should be an improvement.....Thing is tho, the mills are actually pretty close to the same. |
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