What do you really need?
To mill flour at home, the essentials are a grain mill and whole grain berries. To bake bread, use the basic kitchen tools you already have and follow one recipe until you learn how your grain and dough behave.
Start small: Choose one grain, mill only what you need for a recipe, and repeat the bake before adding more grains or specialty tools.
01 · MILL
Choose a grain mill
I’ve used the NutriMill Classic since January and have milled hundreds of pounds of flour with no problems. I used it to mill flour for rolls just before sharing this. Compare the mill’s instructions, capacity, space, and price before choosing one.
View my NutriMill offer
My repeatable mill settings: I keep the top knob at 12 o’clock. For bread and cookies, I set the bottom knob around 10 o’clock. For pizza dough, I use 3 or 12 o’clock.
View the NutriMill Classic on Amazon ↗
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02 · GRAIN
Pick one grain to begin
Hard white wheat is a mild starting point. I also bake with heritage and ancient grains such as Turkey Red and spelt. Start with a grain that suits the recipe you want to make.
03 · MEASURE
Use a kitchen scale
A scale that measures grams makes it easier to repeat a recipe accurately. If you already have a scale, use it; you do not need a special “bread” scale.
04 · MIX & BAKE
Use the tools you own
A large bowl, spoon or mixer, loaf pan, and oven are enough for many first loaves. A bread machine can also mix and knead dough. A thermometer and cooling rack are helpful, but they are not required to mill grain.
Optional: instant-read thermometers ↗Optional: cooling racks ↗Optional: loaf pans ↗
05 · STORE
Keep whole grain berries dry
Store grain in a clean, dry, airtight container in a cool, dark place. For a small amount, a jar or container you already own may be enough. Food-grade buckets and longer-term storage supplies are options for larger quantities.
MELISSA’S PICKS
Browse my Amazon storefront
Your storefront includes collections for whole grains, cookbooks, fresh-milled flour, sourdough, mixers, and bread-baking essentials. Browse those curated lists to see the products and brands you selected.
Browse Melissa’s Amazon listsYour next step
Mill flour, then make one loaf
Follow the recipe, take notes, and give yourself room to learn. You can add another grain or tool after you know what would help.