[Frankenbrew]

I also have a barley crusher and i don't mind hand cranking. I consider it a bonus work out. Usually, I mill the night before brewing.

+1

That's the key to milling by hand.  I too mill most of my grain by hand, and I also mill it the night before I plan to brew.

+2

I hand crank as well.

Also, I think I was the one that brought up the contamination issue. I only meant to introduce the idea because if one was not aware that it was an issue and didn't take the proper steps to prevent it such as crushing outdoors or not doing it where you have open fermenters, then you would be at risk without even knowing it. If you are informed of the risk, which is minimal, you can adapt your procedures very easily to avoid contamination. I just wanted you to know that there could be an issue if you weren't aware of it. That's all.

Moreover, I think there will come a day when you are glad that you kept the mill. Nothing is more frustrating that an unplanned contingency that keeps you from brewing at the last moment. If you think you have the post brewing blues, wait till you have the I was going to brew but opened up the grains and they weren't crushed blues.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

maybe i'm slow..what are you referring to regarding cross contamination???

and yes, keep it and use a drill.

[Iliff Ave]

I mill the grains at the LHBS and then again at home

[JT]

maybe i'm slow..what are you referring to regarding cross contamination???

and yes, keep it and use a drill.

Microbes on the grains becoming airborne during milling.  Not an issue as long as you clean/sanitize your cold side gear. 

[S. cerevisiae]

I mill the grains at the LHBS and then again at home

Man, that has to be a messy proposition.  I cannot imagine having to run malt through a mill twice.

[reverseapachemaster]

I've been hand milling for almost five years. It's not that big of a deal for me.

I keep meaning to power the mill with my drill but every time I find myself at a hardware store I can't remember the right size for the bolt and can't ever find something online that clearly says it. Obviously it's not that big of a deal or I would make more of an effort to go to a hardware store with the information in hand.

[rob_f]

Owning a mill lets you buy grains in bulk.  I don't feel comfortable without a couple of hundred pounds of malt in the house.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

maybe i'm slow..what are you referring to regarding cross contamination???

and yes, keep it and use a drill.

Microbes on the grains becoming airborne during milling.  Not an issue as long as you clean/sanitize your cold side gear.

huh interesting. i dont mill anywhere near my cold side gear anyway.

[Steve Ruch]

I sometimes do it both ways. With a larger grain bill I usually have the LHBS do the milling, for smaller batches I do it at home.