Grain Mill / Dehydrator / Food Saver recommendations

[Recently_Awoken]

Hey all,
Long time no nothing. Was a long hard second half for 2010, mainly due to work. Because of this, I am quietly appreciative to be employed (but very tired - they abuse our time relentlessly).

My food storage is pretty decent, my garden is in place and ready for launch in spring, and so it feels like it's time to shop for the kitchen and procure some processing appliances/tools:

1. Grain Mill: I'm looking at manual mills. Country Living seems to be the top. Anybody use this or other comparable models they'd like to comment on? I'm looking for fine flour for bread.

2. Dehydrator: Excalibur seems well reviewed but a bit pricey. Do I need this, or do the cheap harbor freight cylindrical ones do okay? Anybody have experience with Excalibur or cheapy models?

3. Food Saver: I have no idea where to start. I've read mixed reviews on many models. All stating longevity and quality issues. Any guidance in this area would be good.

Thanks, and it feels good to be active again.

RA

[Skyowl]

Hey all,
Long time no nothing. Was a long hard second half for 2010, mainly due to work. Because of this, I am quietly appreciative to be employed (but very tired - they abuse our time relentlessly).

My food storage is pretty decent, my garden is in place and ready for launch in spring, and so it feels like it's time to shop for the kitchen and procure some processing appliances/tools:

1. Grain Mill: I'm looking at manual mills. Country Living seems to be the top. Anybody use this or other comparable models they'd like to comment on? I'm looking for fine flour for bread.

2. Dehydrator: Excalibur seems well reviewed but a bit pricey. Do I need this, or do the cheap harbor freight cylindrical ones do okay? Anybody have experience with Excalibur or cheapy models?

3. Food Saver: I have no idea where to start. I've read mixed reviews on many models. All stating longevity and quality issues. Any guidance in this area would be good.

Thanks, and it feels good to be active again.

RA

Country Lining Grain Mill, this is the one we have. Absolutely love the thing. I did get a large allen wrench the size of the hand crank, cut it off, and use it with my 'very large' electric drill since we still have electricity available. We discovered that, with the hand crank, you will put muscles in your sh** hand cranking to grind the grain into flour. We also got the Flaker attachment. Have not tried it yet however.

Excalibur. My 'Wife' and daughter both bought this one. "Wife" absolutely loves the thing. Yes it is pricey but well worth the money spent. Nine trays and works great. Daughter got one of the refurbished ones and it runs like it was new. No complaints so far and it has been in use for about one year.

Foodsaver Model V3420 from WalMart. I always get extra bags when I'm at Costco. Works great.

[tbkbtk123]

Country Lining Grain Mill, this is the one we have. Absolutely love the thing. I did get a large allen wrench the size of the hand crank, cut it off, and use it with my 'very large' electric drill since we still have electricity available. We discovered that, with the hand crank, you will put muscles in your sh** hand cranking to grind the grain into flour. We also got the Flaker attachment. Have not tried it yet however.

Excalibur. My 'Wife' and daughter both bought this one. "Wife" absolutely loves the thing. Yes it is pricey but well worth the money spent. Nine trays and works great. Daughter got one of the refurbished ones and it runs like it was new. No complaints so far and it has been in use for about one year.

Foodsaver Model V3420 from WalMart. I always get extra bags when I'm at Costco. Works great.

You wouldn't have the website for this country living grain mill would you?

[tbkbtk123]

Country Lining Grain Mill, this is the one we have. Absolutely love the thing. I did get a large allen wrench the size of the hand crank, cut it off, and use it with my 'very large' electric drill since we still have electricity available. We discovered that, with the hand crank, you will put muscles in your sh** hand cranking to grind the grain into flour. We also got the Flaker attachment. Have not tried it yet however.

Excalibur. My 'Wife' and daughter both bought this one. "Wife" absolutely loves the thing. Yes it is pricey but well worth the money spent. Nine trays and works great. Daughter got one of the refurbished ones and it runs like it was new. No complaints so far and it has been in use for about one year.

Foodsaver Model V3420 from WalMart. I always get extra bags when I'm at Costco. Works great.

Disregard the request for the site, I went to countryliving grainmill.com and found the info. Let's just call this a SENIOR MOMENT!!

[Recently_Awoken]

SkyOwl,

Many thanks! I always feel better about purchases when I get solid feedback from actual users. And excellent idea with the drill.

Thanks again!
RA

[Skyowl's Wife]

I absolutely hate to contradict SkyOwl , but the grain mill we have is the Family Grain Mill, can find it at http://www.internet-grocer.net/family.htm

I've been lusting for the electric base for it too, don't tell him!

[Lil Bear]

We use the food saver unit from Wal-mart and have had no complaints.

[herbalpagan]

Hey all,
Long time no nothing. Was a long hard second half for 2010, mainly due to work. Because of this, I am quietly appreciative to be employed (but very tired - they abuse our time relentlessly).

My food storage is pretty decent, my garden is in place and ready for launch in spring, and so it feels like it's time to shop for the kitchen and procure some processing appliances/tools:

1. Grain Mill: I'm looking at manual mills. Country Living seems to be the top. Anybody use this or other comparable models they'd like to comment on? I'm looking for fine flour for bread.

2. Dehydrator: Excalibur seems well reviewed but a bit pricey. Do I need this, or do the cheap harbor freight cylindrical ones do okay? Anybody have experience with Excalibur or cheapy models?

3. Food Saver: I have no idea where to start. I've read mixed reviews on many models. All stating longevity and quality issues. Any guidance in this area would be good.

Thanks, and it feels good to be active again.

RA

We got a WonderMill Jr hand crank. It works well. I also have an Excalibur, it's really worth the investment in my opinion...the trays are bigger and the drying is quicker and better with no fussy moving trays around. The company has payment plans and refurbished models. I also have a food saver and find it very useful for packaging long term storage food as well as all my food. I do use the Rival brand vacuum bags though as they are cheaper and work better.

[Omegaman]

We do not own a grain mill yet but it is next on our list after the new roto tiller. We have the Excalibur and it is worth every penny and they are USA. made, plus we run ours every week. We have Foodsaver Gamesaver silver, its not pretty but it is a workhorse and it is built like a tank. With the foodsaver we buy all of our meat in bulk and on the hoof.

[Echo2]

Our group has a few models of grain mills....we have one GrainMaker....hands down is the best of the bunch.....I have a Country living....which ain't bad....and there are 3 Back to Basics in the herd.....all seem to be preforming well.....I want to find an old reclined exercise bike...the kind with the heavy fly wheel....and put a pulley on it for running the mills.

We have a couple Nelson Pro dehydrators....and extra trays for each....they work well.

Got a couple food savers....a nice one from Cabela's...and a cheapy from Wally world.

[Omegaman]

Echo that is a pretty slick idea about using a stationary bike to power the grain mill, especially using a recumbent style bike. I was looking into hooking a gain mill to an old treadle base from a sewing machine when we purchase one.

[Echo2]

the only down side I see to it....is it takes up a lotta space.....but we have a lotta space...so...

[Skyowl's Wife]

I was looking into hooking a gain mill to an old treadle base from a sewing machine ...

Ooooh! We have one of those sitting dusty in the garage...

[Echo2]

Ooooh! We have one of those sitting dusty in the garage...

Have you pulled it out to see what type of belt or cord it uses?

[Skyowl's Wife]

No, but will float the idea to my resident genius.