Hammer Mill for Breweries & Distilleries

Malt Milling System

Home Brewery Equipment Malt Milling System

Jul 03, 2025
156
tiantai

Hammer Mill is an essential grinding solution for breweries and distilleries that require reliable, high-capacity grain size reduction. Designed to crush malt, corn, wheat, rye, and other raw materials, this system ensures optimal particle size for mash conversion, supporting both brewing and alcohol distillation processes. Whether you're producing beer, whiskey, vodka, or gin, the hammer mill offers consistent results and easy integration into your production line.

I. When to Use a Hammer Mill in Brewing or Distilling
* When grain bills include raw grains (e.g. corn, rye) that are too hard for a roller mill
* When fineness and throughput are more important than husk preservation (e.g. for distilling)
* When working in distilleries, where lautering is not required and a finer grind improves starch exposure
* When brewing with adjuncts or pre-gelatinized materials requiring thorough breakdown
* When scalability and multi-material grinding flexibility are important

II. Typical Hammer Mill Parameters

Parameter	Description	Typical Range / Example Values
Capacity	Throughput weight per hour	200 kg/h to 5000 kg/h (or higher)
Feed Size	Maximum size of input material	≤ 50 mm
Output Particle Size	Final crushed particle size (adjustable)	0.2 mm to 5 mm (depends on screen mesh)
Number of Hammers	Number of hammers mounted on rotor	12 to 48 (depending on model)
Hammer Material	Material of the hammers	High manganese steel, stainless steel
Screen Size (Mesh)	Screen perforation size for output size control	0.2 mm to 5 mm
Rotor Speed	Rotation speed of the hammer rotor	2000 to 6000 RPM
Motor Power	Power of the main driving motor	15 kW to 90 kW or more
Feed Inlet Size	Size of the feed opening	Approx. 300 mm × 300 mm (example)
Machine Weight	Total machine weight	500 kg to 3000 kg Dimensions (L×W×H)
Noise Level	Operating noise level	85 dB to 100 dB (may require soundproofing)

III. Key Features of Hammer Mill
* High-speed rotating hammers for efficient size reduction
* Adjustable screens for customized particle size
* Suitable for dry grains, malted barley, maize, rye, wheat, and more
* Robust stainless steel or carbon steel construction
*Optional explosion-proof motor available for high-dust environments
* Easy maintenance and quick access to internal parts

IV. Recommended Supporting Equipment of Hammer Mill

* Feeding Hopper: Holds and regulates raw material flow into the mill
* Screw Feeder or Vibrating Feeder: Ensures consistent, controlled input
* Magnetic Separator: Removes metal particles to protect the hammers
* Dust Collector (Bag Filter or Cyclone): Captures fine dust and keeps the area clean
* Air Blower & Cyclone Separator: Assists in moving ground grain and separating it from air
* Grain Storage Bin or Conveyor: Transfers milled product to mash tun or storage
* Control Panel (with VFD): Adjust mill speed
* Noise insulation cover

V. Considerations for Downstream Brewing Equipment After Using a Hammer Mill
Using a hammer mill significantly changes the physical characteristics of the crushed raw material. Compared to roller milling, hammer-milled grains produce finer particles with less intact husk. This requires specific adjustments in the design and operation of mashing systems, filtration units, and transfer piping to ensure efficient brewing performance.

1. Mash Tun Design and Mashing Process Adjustment

Mash Tun Agitator Design
Avoid over-shearing during mixing. Excessive agitation can create excessive paste-like consistency (porridge), which hinders enzyme efficiency and heat transfer. Use gentle and uniform agitator paddles to ensure consistent mixing without compacting the mash.

Mashing Time and Temperature Profile
Finer grist increases the surface area of starches, which accelerates enzymatic reactions. Mashing time may be reduced, but it is essential to recalibrate the mash schedule to maintain proper fermentability and avoid over-conversion or stuck mashes.

2. Replacing Lauter Tun with Filter Press When Using Hammer-Milled Grain

The Lauter Tun relies on a grain bed composed of intact husks to act as a natural filter. Hammer-milled grist lacks this structure, leading to poor wort runoff and high turbidity, compacted grain beds that slow or block lautering, frequent need for rakes or manual intervention to maintain flow, and risk of stuck mash or very slow lautering cycles etc. A Filter Press is often a better choice when using hammer-milled grist, especially in distilleries or breweries processing non-barley grains (corn, rye, etc.).

Advantages of a Filter Press
* Independent of husk content – no need for a natural grain bed
* Capable of handling fine or starchy mash from hammer milling
* Produces clear wort, ideal for both fermentation and distillation
* Dry spent grain cake is easy to remove and manage
* Highly suitable for multi-grain or adjunct-rich recipes
* Reduces risk of lautering failure due to mash compaction

3. Pumping and Piping System Design

Finer particles from hammer milling settle more easily and can cause sediment buildup in transfer lines. Use abrasion-resistant pumps with variable speed control to handle slurry-like materials effectively. Design piping to be as straight and smooth as possible, minimizing elbows, dead zones, and low-flow areas where sediment can accumulate.