Larch is a tough, durable, and waterproof tree belonging to the pine family. Owing to these qualities, it is often used for building yachts and as cladding for exterior walls as well as interior paneling. It also has beautiful grains that stand out against a backdrop of light colored pinewood. For these reasons, it is the choice wood for the Waldner Biotech Farina Grain Mill.
This Austrian-made grain mill is a hand-operated mill that evokes visions of rustic European villages where people grow their own grain; harvest, thresh, and winnow them; grind them into flour and eventually bake bread with them. Apart from the crank lever and the visible part of the millstones, all you see is the fine wood housing.
The millstones of the Waldner Biotech Farina Grain Mill consist of corundum and ceramic stones. Unlike metal blades, these do not generate heat and thus will not destroy the nutrients of your grains. Also, as the grinding is slow because it is hand-driven, heat is further avoided. The millstones do not require excessive maintenance as they are self-sharpening. And because ceramics are hard and strong and corundum is actually rated number 9.0 in Moh’s scale of hardness, they are both resistant to wear and tear.
The mill can grind 35 grams of your grains per minute with its millstones. It will process all types of dry grains including wheat, rye, barley, rice, oats, and millet. It can also take oilseeds like linseed, sesame, or flax seeds. A hand-rotated knob mounted on the milling chamber opposite the crank allows the adjustment of grounds’ consistency and texture, from fine to coarse.
The square-topped hopper has a capacity of 450 grams which tapers as it attaches to the mill chamber. The millstones are rotated with a drive shaft equipped with ball bearings. These allow the smooth and light running of the crank handle.
The mill has dimensions of 6.3″ L x 5.5″ W x 11.5″ H. It weighs about 4 pounds.