Grain mill settings

C

cowboy up

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What is the general rule if there is one, for the gap settings on an adjustable grain mill. Mine came preset at .039 thousands and I thought it was grinding the barley malt a little to fine. I readjusted it to .045 thousands, the same as some non adjustable mills. Do most people find the .039 setting appropriate and providing the correct grind?
Thanks  Cowboy Up!  :)
 
I have the Barley Crusher, and had issues after adjusting it myself, so I got a feeler gauge from AutoZone and reset to 0.039.  No problems since doing that. 

For wheat and unmalted wheat I pass it thru by itself first, and then add it to the whole grist for another pass. 
 
I have the barley crusher myself, and after adjusting it a little too wide for the first home milled batch, I've gone back to the setting on the mill. I've had no issues with a stuck sparge, and I'm using a cooler with a stainless steel mesh line. I grind about two cups and look at it. Being a Newbie All Grain Brewer myself, I wonder "how fine is too fine if you don't get a stuck sparge"?

Chuck
 
Well, and Denny says...
Tighten the gap until you're scared...then tighten it a little more.

Brew on, :)
jeff
 
I have the barley crusher myself and I actually narrowed the gap from the pre-set.  I don't have a feeler gauge but it is narrow.  I've never had a stuck sparge due to compaction.  I use a stainless steel braid and batch sparge so some of the worries of fly sparging aren't an issue. 

My biggest fear is astringency issues but to the best I can tell it hasn't become a problem.
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I reset my mill to the .039 gap, and have brewed several batches since, and it works great. No stuck sparge and a more complete conversion of my grains. Cowboy Up!!    :)
 
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