Grist mills use millstones to grind corn or other grains into meal and flour. The grain is poured into the hopper, the runner stone is raised then slowly the grain is fed on the millstones. The miller can then adjust the millstones for the desired grind. The runner stone spins above the stationary stone creating the grinding action. The runner stone is slightly concave; the stationary stone is slightly convex, which enables the ground flour or grain to be channeled to the outer edges of the stone. The grain can then be gathered up or carried down the chute into a container. Millstones such as this one at the Old Mill of Guilford were also portable. They could be put onto wagons and taken to surrounding farms so families could grain their own grain. |
