Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Michelle
My biggest haters are over grain mills.
When I started posting on Instagram, I never would have imagined that my biggest haters would be over the fact that they can’t afford a grain mill.
And I get it. Things are tight right now. But when I invested in my grain mill, I knew it was just that–an investment. In my family’s health, in a hobby I enjoy, in getting more nutrition into my life.
But, to answer the non-haters genuinely looking for advice on ways to afford a grain mill on a budget, here are my top 5 tips.
Owning a grain mill saves money.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, I want to make something clear: I save money everyday by owning a grain mill.
Truthfully, there are exceptions, and this isn’t the case for every person. But for my family, I save hundreds of dollars per year (which means a grain mill pays for itself quickly!). I achieve this by purchasing wheat berries in bulk.
The breakdown:
I used to purchase King Arthur organic flour, which cost me $10.95/5 lbs. That’s $2.19/lb.
Now I purchase organic wheat berries which I mill into organic flour for $0.92/pound when I purchase a 50-lb bag.
That’s = $1.27 per pound cheaper to mill my own flour.
Over the course of a year, if I’m making 2 loaves of bread per week, that’s $132.08 I’m saving every year, just in flour.
Which means that in two years (with a savings of $264.16), I’ve paid for my grain mill.
And that’s just the bread!
That doesn’t even take into account the money I’m saving on baked goods, homemade desserts/pastries, and so on.]
5 ways to afford a grain mill on a budget
We’ll dive into more details below, but my top 5 recommendations for affording a grain mill are:
- Buy the most affordable mill
- Search thrift stores/buy used
- Split the cost with a friend or a neighbor
- Save up for it
- Use a payment plan
Also, don’t discount planning to use your mill to actually make money.
Buy the most affordable grain mill
If you’re on a budget, be realistic with what you can actually afford. And keep in mind that you can upgrade your mill latter when budget allows.
1) My top pick for a budget-friendly grain mill is the Nutrimill Impact mill.
It’s regular price $249, plus the code “soulyrested” takes the price down to $229.
It’s not as pretty as some other mills, but
-it makes really fine flour great for bread & baked goods,
-it’s compact and portable,
-and it’s easy to use and beginner friendly
Plus, it’s just over $200.
2) My second pick for a grain mill on a budget is the Mockmill 100. It’s regular price $380, which puts it at the lowest priced on-demand style mill.
The Mockmill 100 out-preforms the much higher-priced Nutrimill Harvest ($499) with all the same function, just without the pretty wooden exterior.
Budget-friendly grain mills:
Search thrift stores (buy used)
With the rise in grain mill sales, I’ve noticed several grain mills in my local thrift stores for a fraction of the price they cost new. Also be sure to check reseller websites (they’re not just for clothes!) as well as FB marketplace locally to you.
You might be shocked what you find! There are several models of antique mills that I’ve seen folks selling for super cheap that also work well, they’re just clunky and take up more storage space. Totally worth the savings, though, if you’re on a budget!
Split the cost (and the mill) with a friend or neighbor
This is one of my favorite options on the list. Not only does this option help you afford a grain mill, but it also fosters community, which I’m always all for.
There are several neat ways you could arrange this.
- Split the cost of the mill, and also split the time you each spend with the mill. Maybe one week on, one week off?
- Split the cost, but one of you houses the mill, but the other has access to all the fresh milled flour they need.
- Keep your cost buddy stocked with fresh bread instead of flour.
- Also, check to see if anyone in your area already owns a grain mill and would allow you to use their mill once a week to mill all your flour.
Save up for it
I know, it’s not very romantic. But look for small things you can cut out, and set that money aside for your grain mill fund. You might be there before you know it!
Fresh milled flour is worth waiting (and saving) for.
Use a payment plan
Although it’s not always ideal, if you can’t swing the full price of a mill in one paycheck, look into payment plants. I know that Nutrimill offers shop pay plans to pay a portion of your order every month, as well as Paypal payment plans on all their grain mills.
Honorable mentions:
Buy (good) flour until you save up
My favorite grain company also sells fresh-milled flour that I recommend to anyone waiting to purchase a grain mill. It’s the same quality as if you milled it yourself! Knowing you’re using super high-quality and nutritious flour will also help you be more patient as you wait for a grain mill.
Save on the best flour with code “soulyrested”
Plan to use your mill to make money
Taking the plunge and spending the money on a mill often makes a lot more sense if you have a plan to turn that investment -> into cash.
Sell fresh milled flour to your local community, sell baked goods/bread made with fresh flour, or offer your mill for “rent” to other locals who either want to try their hand at milling, or can’t afford the price of a mill yet.
More like 5 ways to afford a grain mill on a budget:
- Wheat berries: everything you need to know
- Nutrimill or Mockmill: which grain mill is best?
- How to choose a flour mill, simplified (includes a quiz!)
- Sourdough with fresh milled flour (recipe)
