V

How much wear do the stones get typically? I was reading about some stone mills in developing countries where the stones are made of softer silicates rocks like sandstone and they had to be re-chiseled regularly, causing significant silicosis for some if the workers (along with poor safety practices).
Of course, your stones are made of the significantly harder quartz, so I would think wear would be much less, and in the US dust safety is much more regulated.

Not trying to accuse you guys of anything (I like your products); I'm just always unterested in the mechanics and science of milling.

Bob's Red Mill StaffV

Hello and thank you for your question! Our millstones are constantly milling our whole grain flours and cereals, so they do get a lot of use! We have routine maintenance schedules and checks for our stones to make sure they are in excellent condition to maintain efficacy. Quartz millstones are used because they are hard, durable, and food-safe, making them excellent for efficient grain grinding. Our milling staff practice strict safety protocols in our milling facilities and safety is our top priority and our products are also SQF Food Safety Code Certified. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to our team at customerservice@bobsredmill.com. Thank you!

Brady Davis

I'm writing a research paper about farinata, and I was hoping to find detailed information about how chickpea flour is made. Could you please help me out?

Bob's Red Mill StaffBrady Davis

Hi Brady,

Please email our team at customerservice@bobsredmill.com and they can assist further. Thank you!

Dan

Do you use the same grindstone on both grains along with almonds/other tree nuts?

Elisabeth AllieDan

We do not! We have dedicated grindstones for each of our stone ground products, and also, our nut flours are not stone ground.

Runyararo

Considering the fact that these mills work slow, how effective are they in pushing volumes when scaling up in business

Justin

I found a mill stone 5ft diameter and 18 inches thick and square hole I believe it to be granite. Just curious on what it’s worth and where it came from. Thanks

christian

I just found a section of a millstone in my garden today, it is made of aggregate quartz, it may have formed a stone 6 feet diameter, I'll try dig someone more tomorrow.

Critical I

i still don't get why using a stone mill is better than a metal mill? i saw how it says about how stone grinding is "slow and cool"... so metal grinding HAS to be fast (as cited above)? also, exactly how does metal grinding lose nutrition of the grain (as it suggests above)? thanks for clarifying

Critical ICritical I

... ok, so i think i got the answer to the 2nd question too, having to do with the increased heat and losing of nutrition, i can accept that possibility, but of course with that comes the understanding that this scale of making flour itself (compared to homesteading or local community scales, for example) may be convenient for customers and good for business, but ALSO potentially less nutritious (among other disadvantages, like personal and environmental health).

so also, if Bob's would maybe like to make efforts to help transition agricultural practices to an even more healthy society, i have some ideas, like providing better job and livelihood opportunities for us on the rural ag. lands (via the WWOOF site or numbers or links on the packaging?) in a more permaculture way of life, you know?

Critical ICritical I

...actually, on 2nd thought, i believe i just realized the answer to the first ? at least - i'm guessing the "burry" part of the stones adds a texture or increased/complex surface area such that it can cut to the same end-consistency at SLOWER speeds than smoother metal, right? still though... the answer to the second question is desired, thank you.