Non-electric grain mill

In your opinion, what is the best non-electric grain mill? Right now I use an electric one to grind my wheat. I also have a Corona hand-operated mill. I think there must be a better non-electric mill available. What do you use, and are you happy with it?

Barbara Macy
Fall River Mills, California

I’ve got a little, cheap mill I got from Emergency Essentials and it works fine. BUT I sure would like a bigger, more expensive one, as it would make grinding larger amounts of flour much more fun! In grain mills, you get what you pay for. Any of the larger hand mills, such as ones available through Lehman’s Hardware or other sources, will do a great job. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford a $200+ mill, too. — Jackie

Canning corned beef

I’ve got a chance to get some refrigerated corned beef for a great price. I looked in your book but couldn’t find corned beef. Is there a problem or can I can it like beef roasts?

Mike Root
Patrick, South Carolina

Yes. Can up your corned beef by rinsing the chunks and cut it into chunks or strips that will conveniently fit into your canning jars. Remove all excess fat. Put the meat into cold water and bring to a boil. If the broth is too salty, drain and repeat. Pack hot meat into jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Pour boiling water over meat, leaving 1 inch of headspace. DO NOT ADD SALT! Process pints for 75 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. If you live at an altitude above 1,000 feet, consult your canning book for directions on increasing your pressure to suit your altitude, if necessary. Great find! — Jackie

Sweet potatoes

I read the article is this month’s BHM and have a question regarding sweet potatoes. This is our first attempt at growing them. Hopefully we have a bumper crop for winter storage. My question is on the leaves, the article said you could eat them like Swiss chard or spinach. I don’t want to eat leaves that can make us ill are the Georgia jet leaves edible? If they are edible can I dry, can or freeze like do with our spinach crop? I raw pack spinach and like veggies.

Randy and Lorraine Stanton
Corning, New York

Yes, you can eat leaves and tips of Georgia Jet sweet potatoes. They’re good. But you don’t want to use too many of the leaves and tips or you’ll limit the bulking up of your sweet potatoes. The vines can only do so much in a growing season. Better to grow chard, spinach, and other greens for canning. — Jackie

7 COMMENTS

  1. I would love to chip in and help Jackie get that mill! Keep us updated as how to send our gift.
    I love love love reading your column and when I find myself in doubt, I always think how great would it be to have Jackie here. But thats not the reality and I usually find the answer I’m looking for in your thread.

    Thank you for all of your wisdom.
    Tabitha

  2. Thanks for the “back up” Nana :)

    It’s the least we can do, Jackie, and if it makes your job easier then all the better….And I was hoping something would be mentioned that we could “run with” to be able to celebrate with you, even if a mill isn’t quite as “fancy,” it’s sure to be used and valued ;)

    I haven’t heard anything yet, if I do I will pop back in with the updates……

  3. I’m sending a request for a segment or an announcement in the next issue of the magazine. Everyone needs the opportunity to be able to participate in the upcoming event and what better way than this to say congratulations and we love you both.

    Thanks Naturegirl for making the suggestion. Let’s all get on board!!

  5. Ok, should I contact Dave or Annie? Or Lenie….LOL….who would handle BHM wedding presents? LOL….

  6. nATUREGIRL,

    Wow! How generous of you! Maybe it would be easier if you and others who wished to, would send your gift donations to the magazine and they could pass them on to us. Then we could, in turn, use it to buy the mill at Lehmans. Of course, Lehmans might also be willing to set up an account, too. I thought going through the magazine might be easier, though….

    Again, thank you and my other reader/family so very much for your thoughtfulness!

    Jackie

  7. I’m not sure how this could be done, details wise – but I thought I’d toss this idea out there anyway….

    I think many of us die hard readers would like to donate to the $200+ Mill as a wedding gift to you two…..

    Not sure if an account at Lehmans would work or if you’re looking at other places to buy one, or how it should be set up…..but there are many times that all your free advice on here has saved my butt a million times, and worth a ton more than “free” ~ it’d be our way of giving back for all the times you’ve given so freely to us…..

    Just a suggestion :)

Comments are closed.