As the thread title says.
3 batches and this piece of equipment is broken. Total and utter waste of money. Avoid at all costs.
3 batches and this piece of equipment is broken. Total and utter waste of money. Avoid at all costs.
Cereal Killer Mill: Fallen apart after 3 batches.
- Thread starter Gavin C
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markstache
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Had mine for 1.5 years and 40 batches. Highly recommended.
Hope AIH can make it right for you.
Hope AIH can make it right for you.
OP
OP
The hopper is only attached with 2 screws. These have loosened and the thin metal they anchor to cannot be secured any more. The walls of the hopper are also letting grain through the sides and around the rollers.
I don't believe this to be user error as I have not done anything special to the gap settings or the hopper. I do to passes anyway for my BIAB setup but this would be needed with my mill as lots of grain gets past the hopper unmilled
I have contacted AIH so we will see what the response is. I have bought lots of stuff from them and find them to be excellent. Love how they vacuum seal their grains for shipment
I don't believe this to be user error as I have not done anything special to the gap settings or the hopper. I do to passes anyway for my BIAB setup but this would be needed with my mill as lots of grain gets past the hopper unmilled
I have contacted AIH so we will see what the response is. I have bought lots of stuff from them and find them to be excellent. Love how they vacuum seal their grains for shipment
augiedoggy
Well-Known Member
I have had no issues with mine either in the 9 months I've used it.... There is certainly not enough room between the rollers and the sides on my walls to let grain through either... could you post pictures? it sounds like something is very off with yours...
The two small screws just hold the hopper in place but if you knock the hopper around or try to pick up the mill by the hopper thay arent going to stay secured... This is a $99 grain mill afterall..
The two small screws just hold the hopper in place but if you knock the hopper around or try to pick up the mill by the hopper thay arent going to stay secured... This is a $99 grain mill afterall..
The_Bishop
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I have milled (literally) over two hundred pounds of grain through mine with no issues.
since july 2013 I have put 1400 pounds of grain thru mine
no problem great mill for 99 dollars
S_M
no problem great mill for 99 dollars
S_M
Backslide
Well-Known Member
I've put 250lbs threw mine so far with no issues at all. IMHO it's prob the best 100.00 I've spent for this wonderful hobby. I could be wrong but it sounds like you've man handled this mill and didn't see the signs. Only takes a second to make sure screws are tight.
barnaclebob
Well-Known Member
No issues with my cereal killer, only put about 50lbs thought it though. I'd like to see some pictures too. As long as rollers and base are in good shape anything to do with the hopper should be fairly easy to fix. Are the grains getting through at the bottom of the hopper or along the riveted sides? Are the 2 bolts that hold the hopper on stripped?
fixitoscar
Well-Known Member
I have had mine for over a year with zero problems. great budget mill imo.
Lets see some pictures.
I'm sure aih will take care of whatever is going on.
Lets see some pictures.
I'm sure aih will take care of whatever is going on.
2B_Brewing
Active Member
I've had mine for a year and love it. The only trouble it had was when I loaned it to a brew buddy and he was running the roller in the wrong direction and complained to me that it didn't work.
LandoLincoln
Well-Known Member
I don't know how many screws you need to attach a hopper. Did you drop the mill?
danorocks17
Well-Known Member
had mine almost a year. haven't had any issues either.
A corner of my hopper had started to separate from the mill and was experiencing the same thing. I eventually realized I was holding onto the hopper while milling. I was able to pop it back into place. I just double-check that it's in place each time I mill now. Luckily it was only the one corner, so I really haven't had any further problems.
. . . I also make sure I hold onto the BASE when milling.
. . . I also make sure I hold onto the BASE when milling.
That's a slick little setup with the drill. Does the drill stay in place permanently?
OP
OP
Like the setup there.
no I didn't drop it. 2 screws clearly was not enough as it is no longer attached
No I don't hold it/lift it by the flimsy hopper
I guess my expectations for the product were higher than they should have been.
My experience is clearly the outlier. Operator error would be top of the list in my provisional assessment were I not the OP
barnaclebob
Well-Known Member
This statement doesn't make sense to me. What does "cannot be secured anymore" mean?
Either the metal on the hopper under the nuts has been bent or broken off or the bolts/nuts are stripped and not providing clamping force. Is one of those the problem?
I am assuming you attempted to retighten the bolts.
I just am having trouble visualizing any possible issue that this hopper attachment could have that isn't fixable by someone who can use a drill or a wrench.
I'm certain that with a picture or two you would have a solution in minutes.
Maybe the holes tore through to the edge?
Cheers!
Cheers!
This and that the problem being experienced is a relatively minor one. I expect that it would take me less than an hour to come up with some sort of easy fix for this problem.
I can think of something without even seeing the mill. Put some sort of filler between the hopper and the body of the mill and use some washers to make the connection with the bolts tight.
barnaclebob
Well-Known Member
The OP hasn't said anything bad about AIH, just bad things about the cereal killer which I believe is exclusive to AIH.
There is likely an easy fix and until the OP proves otherwise it doesn't seem like his original post is worth much.
There is likely an easy fix and until the OP proves otherwise it doesn't seem like his original post is worth much.
The_Bishop
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And we're all still waiting for pics of the problem so we can attempt to help.
OP
OP
Never mentioned AIH in my post. I have nothing but good experiences with them. I simply relayed my experience of buying a new product and having it fail. Advising others against purchasing.
When I purchase a new item I don't plan on having to do running repairs in such a short time. Reparable or not, to me that is a failure of the product
As I see it potential buyers of this grain mill could see this thread and read all the positive experiences others have had with the product and form their own opinion. Similarly the majority of reviews on this product are excellent. I do not share your opinion that I "slagged" any company.
I don't feel that giving my opinion on a product is out of line in this public forum. The banner articles "Brew and A" repeatedly and regularly ask the question; (paraphrasing) "what is one product you bought that you would not recommend". Clearly this is an acceptable topic for discussion here so I am not understanding your vitriol.
Clearly I have angered/offended some through my lack of skill/knowledge in grain-mill maintenance. That was not my intent. I have no objection to the post being removed by moderators if they feel the need.
barnaclebob
Well-Known Member
Your topic is quite acceptable, the problem is that you haven't provided an adequate description or really any evidence of your problem.
For example, what is preventing you from tightening the bolts that hold the hopper on?
This machine is so simple that its one step above saying a mash paddle is terrible because it doesn't stir well. I have said before that there are really only two things that could have gone wrong with the area you describe. Both are easily fixable.
I love my cereal killer for the price. Yes the hopper is flimsy, but that is something I noticed out of the box and have always paid attention to when moving it or grinding. For the money IMHO it is the best mill out there. I've put easily several hundred pounds through it. If it totally busted and I couldn't rig up my own hopper I would buy it again.
Also I would be shocked if AIH doesn't help you out. They have always been amazing to me.
Also I would be shocked if AIH doesn't help you out. They have always been amazing to me.
BadWolfBrewing
Well-Known Member
I'm on your side. You didn't bash AIH (who is my LHBS), just mentioned a problem you've had with the product. There's nothing wrong with that.
It is important to keep in mind that a single point isn't a pattern. With limited info, it seems equally likely that it was a manufacturing error, shipping damage, rough usage, or just rotten luck.
The other users shouldn't try and keep people from posting about product problems. Maybe in this case it is a rare occurrence. It isn't always a rare occurrence though, sometimes it is a genuinely bad product. If there's a bad product out there, I'd prefer to know about it. We won't be able to get to the bottom of it unless people are allowed to post without backlash.
Maybe it was the way the post was presented. To say that the Cereal Killer is a total waste of money and to advise against it without first getting a response form AIH is not really helpful to someone considering the purchase.
I agree that I wouldn't want to have to do any "fix" of a new product but then again it is an entry level roller mill.
Again I say this is a pretty minor problem with the mill.....
Worded differently you would have gotten very different responses.
I agree that I wouldn't want to have to do any "fix" of a new product but then again it is an entry level roller mill.
Again I say this is a pretty minor problem with the mill.....
Worded differently you would have gotten very different responses.
augiedoggy
Well-Known Member
No he made a post saying the mill fell apart and is broken is junk and a waste of money despite the hundreds of owners and mant threads about these here who do not share his issues... By that something is amiss here and some of us thought pictures of a better explaination would sort it out whether its the operators use (or misuse) or an assembly issue or actual defect that has caused his rant...
I will share that unless both cam knobs are abjusted just right my CK binds up against the side walls very easily and the markings on the knobs are totally inaccurate for even adjustment... Many people sent theirs back because they thought it was broken from this issue..
augiedoggy
Well-Known Member
and by that same token Its not unreasonable for others to want to understand why you came to that opinion and for them to ask for more info on what you based this thread on? You created the thread and made statements about a product that others have have not had those experiences with... You should be able to explain the reasoning behind the complaint you made right? especially is it was a reasonable complaint that you felt obliged enough about to share here and recommend other take your word and advice that its junk and and not purchase this?
You may have a real valid point about an issue and I for one am just asking for more info to help sort this out and help others realize why you feel the way you do?
Above someone mentioned using washers and reattaching the screws. My MM2 came with washers as well and it seemed logical. The hopper is put together with a lot more than 2 screws though.
What do you think about adding washers and getting the screws back in place? Have you asked AIH if they'll replace as well? It sounds like people do mention the hopper is flimsy, which is unfortunate. I don't know how it compares to the Barley Crusher, but I found the BC hopper pretty good. I believe it may be nearly as thick as my MM2 hopper.
I didn't think you were bashing a company, regardless of the product being exclusive to them. Your product fell apart after 3 batches and that in it of itself is not good. Hopefully you can get another and it will live as long as it was intended. A budget mill to me is a Corona Mill. I don't think your expectations were out of whack.
A picture would help though.
What do you think about adding washers and getting the screws back in place? Have you asked AIH if they'll replace as well? It sounds like people do mention the hopper is flimsy, which is unfortunate. I don't know how it compares to the Barley Crusher, but I found the BC hopper pretty good. I believe it may be nearly as thick as my MM2 hopper.
I didn't think you were bashing a company, regardless of the product being exclusive to them. Your product fell apart after 3 batches and that in it of itself is not good. Hopefully you can get another and it will live as long as it was intended. A budget mill to me is a Corona Mill. I don't think your expectations were out of whack.
A picture would help though.
botigol
Well-Known Member
Gavin, while I agree with your intent (post #25), your original post contained no useful information in order to start a productive conversation. Some qualification of the issue should have been presented, especially given that you stated, "Avoid at all costs." This type of statement is quite strong and should have something to back it. Since you made the purchase, I would think that you at least saw the star rating on their website, if not read some of the reviews, which should have made you wonder why your experience was so different and look for an answer.
Offhand, it seems that you should have done a quick search to see if this has been an issue and if that search came up empty, started a thread with a more exploratory tone, "Has anybody had this issue?" Given this route, you would have ended up with the same requests for pictures, entreaties to contact AIH and offers of help, but without the backlash.
Offhand, it seems that you should have done a quick search to see if this has been an issue and if that search came up empty, started a thread with a more exploratory tone, "Has anybody had this issue?" Given this route, you would have ended up with the same requests for pictures, entreaties to contact AIH and offers of help, but without the backlash.
OP
OP
This is a fair point, as is the point earlier made that the tone was very negative and absolute. I posted in anger after the thing fell apart on me after 3 batches and having lots of grain get through unmilled on each batch. I did contact the vendor and they have been very helpful. They too requested pictures which I will provide once I get the time.
Exasperation got the better of me prior to my post. I did not post pictures at the time as I did not intend on doing any repairs right away. I tried putting the bits back together without success; granted I didn't try hard enough. That is fair criticism. Mea maxima culpa.
I believe a new product should not require repairs if used as intended. I am not going to cut off my nose to spite my face however and will try to get on it this weekend and post before and after images; hopefully showing a decent result.
Thanks to all posters for sharing their positive experiences with the mill. Hopefully after a few deep breaths on my part, a bit of better thought out repair attempts, and some patience I will be able to use my mill for some time to come.
OP
OP
An update.
Fixed the mill with minimal difficulty. It seems the screws/nuts were not cinched down very tightly.
Straightened out the metal where it was a bent
Loosened the nuts to allow full insertion of the hopper into its slot
Tightened the nuts/screw
The small gap between the hopper and the roller setup that was there out of the box is no longer present. I think that was the cause of the grain getting by un-milled. Chalk that one up to inexperience on my part; I was not aware the hopper and roller block were so tenuously united on a grain mill
In summary, I can better understand the reaction my negative post elicited given the simple nature of the repair required. I didn't take any photos as promised; the process was so rudimentary it seemed pointless.
One lives and learns. Lesson here; don't write while angry.
In retrospect I still wish I had purchased a more robust product for a higher price. For the money paid my expectations were certainly higher than I experienced with the CK. I have no doubt that this view is likely to be in the minority.
Fixed the mill with minimal difficulty. It seems the screws/nuts were not cinched down very tightly.
Straightened out the metal where it was a bent
Loosened the nuts to allow full insertion of the hopper into its slot
Tightened the nuts/screw
The small gap between the hopper and the roller setup that was there out of the box is no longer present. I think that was the cause of the grain getting by un-milled. Chalk that one up to inexperience on my part; I was not aware the hopper and roller block were so tenuously united on a grain mill
In summary, I can better understand the reaction my negative post elicited given the simple nature of the repair required. I didn't take any photos as promised; the process was so rudimentary it seemed pointless.
One lives and learns. Lesson here; don't write while angry.
In retrospect I still wish I had purchased a more robust product for a higher price. For the money paid my expectations were certainly higher than I experienced with the CK. I have no doubt that this view is likely to be in the minority.
I mean, really, it's more a shipping / packing mishap than the inherent "robustness" of the hopper in question here. Any thicker material for a hopper would just be a waste really, and it doesn't matter if they fastened it with 6 nuts and screws, it could still get bent. My barley crusher was bent a bit from shipping. Easy enough to bend back into place.
I understand the idea of spending money on a product and expecting it to be 100% from the get-go, but also, most people willing to buy a grain mill with a hopper are also willing to spend 3 minutes with a pair of pliers. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with this from a design standpoint, not the world's easiest thing to pack / guarantee 100% in shipping with people tossing around boxes, etc.
2B_Brewing
Active Member
Yea I've had those bolts loosen that hold the hopper to the mill. But as you can see from a picture I posted earlier, my drill is permanently bolted to the wooden base and I use to grab it by the hopper to carry around. That's alot of weight, so I shouldn't have been surprised when it feel apart once. Just more careful now.
patthebrewer
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Count me in as another guy with zero trouble with mine
! I have at least 1K lbs thru mine(actually lost count) in the almost two or so years I've had mine. I actually used it to replace another popular brand that had the bronze bushing wear out in.
Really well spent money IMHO
! I have at least 1K lbs thru mine(actually lost count) in the almost two or so years I've had mine. I actually used it to replace another popular brand that had the bronze bushing wear out in.Really well spent money IMHO
OzzyBrew
Well-Known Member
I had similar issues to Gavin at first. But I'm a dolt and caught myself lifting it by the hopper a couple of times. I just loosened the screws, pushed the hopper back down, retightened and have had zero issues since. I agree with other posters that a small washer would also help. Otherwise this has been a great mill. I BIAB with a megapot and have a Breweasy and use this, with factory settings, on both systems. Isn't it so awesome to be able to grind your own grains?!?!?!?!
markstache
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Some general recommendations for new CK owners:
- Adjust hopper position and tighten bolts
- Check gap (back out eye bolts and nuts, insert feeler gauge or credit card, tighten)
- Add duct tape around edge (it's sharp!)
- Clamp base to bucket, then attach drill, then pour in grain (I tipped mine doing this in the wrong order)
