Stone mill refers to a device used for grinding grains, spices, or other materials using a pair of rotating stones—typically a stationary bedstone (nether millstone) and a rotating runner stone. These mills have been used for thousands of years, with evidence of grinding stones dating back 60,000 years in Australia. Millstones are traditionally made from hard, durable materials like basalt, granite, or emery, and are designed to create a scissoring action that crushes grain into flour or meal.

Modern stone mills come in various forms:

• Hand stone mills (e.g., bluestone or granite hand mills) are manually operated, non-electric tools ideal for home use, suitable for grinding wheat, spices, coffee beans, and even wet ingredients like soy milk.

• Electric stone mill grinders use motorized stone burrs to process grains quickly and consistently, often with adjustable grind settings.

• Commercial stone mills, such as those made by Pleasant Hill Grain or BioStoneMill, are used in artisan bakeries and food production, preserving the nutritional and sensory qualities of grains through low-heat, stone grinding.

Benefits of stone milling include:

• Retaining more nutrients, flavor, and natural oils compared to high-speed steel mills.

• Producing flour with a unique, rich aroma and texture.

• Allowing control over grind consistency—from coarse meal to fine flour.

Historical and cultural significance:

• Millstones were introduced to Britain by the Romans and were central to food production for centuries.

• In 1932–1933, the Soviet regime in Ukraine prohibited millstone use during the Holodomor famine, labeling them as symbols of "enrichment."

• Today, stone mills are preserved in historic sites like George Washington’s Gristmill and Old Stone Mill National Historic Site in Canada.

For those interested in purchasing, options are available on Amazon, eBay, and specialty retailers like NutriMill and ProXES (for industrial wet grinding).