Happiness is Homemade

So you want to start using fresh milled flour (FMF) at home but you’re not sure where to start… No worries! I got you.

It can be daunting to learn something new, especially when the barrier to entry seems high. FMF can seem really overwhelming because you have to figure out how you’ll mill the flour, what grain to get, where to get that grain, how to store it, which grain is the grain that’s going to work best for what you want to make, and the list goes on! I promise you once you get the basics, the learning curve becomes less intimidating!

First, before you do ANYTHING, please look into grains. You will want to research which grain is best for what you’re looking to make, or what you’ll make most often. Is that bread? Pasta? Bake goods like cakes and cookies? All of the above? This is important to know because you’ll want to make sure you have access to purchase the grain required to make those things at a price that makes sense to you. There is no sense in getting a grain mill if you do not have access to affordable grain. Yes, you can have grain shipped, (you can even get some on Amazon) but those shipping costs can be brutal especially when you’re shipping 25-50 lbs bags of grain! I’ve boughten grain off Amazon and had a good experience with the brands I purchased, but it definitely was not the most cost effiective option. So make sure you can conveniently get that grain at great prices BEFORE anything else!

To find grains looks local first. Think natural food stores that carry bulk items, a lot of times these stores are already selling grains in bulk or can order them in for you at great prices or local farmers. A local farmer is definitely going to give you the best price on grain so if you can find one, make friends with them… STAT! If cold calling local farms isn’t your style, try going to a farmer’s market and talking to the vendors there, they might be able to point you in the right direction!

If you can’t find a local store or farmer, you’ll have to resort online. My first recommendation is to look into Azure Standard. This company is AMAZING and I buy so much from them! Everything I’ve gotten is amazing quality and it’s all organic. You’ll have to see if you have a drop site that is close enough to you first. If you have a local drop site, keep in mind before ordering the first time that that drop dates and times change every month so you have to have the flexibility to make it work. This is a little inconvenient but I think it is a fair trade off for the quality of products you get for the price!

If Azure isn’t an option, your last resort should be to buy online. Please spend some time doing research to find reputable companies to buy from. The last thing you want is to be buying junk grain and paying all that shipping cost .

Next, you’ll want to research mills and choose the best one for your needs. Every mill is has different features and prices points. You should get crystal clear on want you are looking for in a mill and get the mill that meets those needs. I personally have a Mockmill Lino 200 and love it! It fits my needs but it might not fit your needs. Click here to read about my Mockmill. Pick the mill that fits your needs and your budget!

After you order your mill, you’ll want to go ahead and purchase your grain and containers to store your grain in. You can find full grade storage buckets at Lowes or Home Depot or on Amazon. I highly recommend good storage practice to keep your grain fresh and pest free!

Next, you’ll want to start! In my experience, there is a steep learning curve when using FMF but don’t let that intimidate you. Using FMF is a skill and just like any other skill, it takes time to build. But if you’re looking for a good overall resource to assist you in your FMF journey, I have a great one for you… Me of course! Haha!

While that is true, I know you might be looking for resources outside of me and my videos on TikTok , Instagram or YouTube, so I’ve found an AMAZING book for you! The Home-Ground Flour Book by Sue Becker is PACKED with amazing information on grain mills, grains, how to make different kinds of flours, benefits of FMF, and includes 100 recipes to get you going! I got this book myself a few weeks ago and I wish I had it when I began my FMF journey.

I hope this helps you get going on your FMF adventure! Please do not hesitate to reach ou with questions and remember to give yourself grace. Using FMF is truly a skill and the only way to build a skill is to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and work on it! So get to it! You have amazing goodies to make with FMF. I’m here for you every step of the way.

Happy Milling!