Brewery Mill Maintenance Checklist: Ensure Optimal Performance and Production

A well-maintained mill is essential for a smooth brewing process and consistent beer production. However, many craft brewers may not be aware of the importance of regular maintenance or the specific tasks required to keep their mills in top condition.

Neglecting mill maintenance can result in issues such as dull rolls, decreased efficiency, and even production delays. To address this, RMS has developed a comprehensive brewery mill maintenance checklist outlining the key tasks that brewers should perform on their mill. Here are the tasks brewers must perform on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to keep their brewing equipment functioning optimally.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

1. Calibrate Roll Gap Position: Overtime the rolls wear or can be knocked out of alignment by foreign material. To maintain a uniform crush and sieve distribution, the rolls need to be calibrated by ensuring they are parallel and the zero position (where the two rolls touch) is reset. This operational procedure is often referred to as “Paralleling and Zeroing Rolls” and can be found in the manuals on our website or RMS YouTube Page.
2. Grease Bearings: Lubricate all bearings with the appropriate grease to reduce friction and prevent premature wear. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the correct lubrication procedure and frequency.
3. Grease Slide Rails and Adjustment Screws: To ensure the roll can move freely, the slide rails and adjustment screws that move the roll in/out need to be greased.
4. Check Grease Lines: Visually inspect grease lines and fittings are intact. It is common for grease lines to burst or fittings to leak, which can lead to bearings and other wear parts not getting properly greased or creating a mess.
5. Belt Inspection: Inspect all the belts for wear and proper tension. Loose or damaged belts can cause slippage, decreased mill efficiency, and safety risks. Replace any worn-out belts on your piece of equipment promptly.

Quarterly Maintenance Tasks

1. Clean Mill Surfaces: Remove any accumulated chaff, dust, or debris from the mill’s exterior and interior surfaces. Proper cleaning will prevent material from obstructing the milling process or causing contaminants in the final beer product. Cleaning also allows you to identify dust leaks and potential other issues with the mill.
2. Inspect Belt Pulleys: Examine the belt pulleys for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Damaged pulleys can affect the mill’s performance and increase the risk of belt failure. Replace them as needed for preventative brewery maintenance. Pulleys should also be checked for proper alignment. Misalignment will cause premature belt wear.
3. Dust Collection System: If your mill is equipped with a dust collection system, inspect and clean it thoroughly. Proper function and maintenance of the dust collection system helps maintain a cleaner brewing environment and prevents potential health hazards.
4. Motor Inspection: Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the mill’s motor. Check for signs of wear, excessive heat, or abnormal vibrations. If any issues are detected, consult a professional technician to address them promptly.

Annual Maintenance Tasks

1. Roll Check: Examine the mill rolls for signs of wear, such as worn corrugations or rock grooves. Dull rolls can lead to reduced milling efficiency and an inconsistent crush with larger pieces and excessive fines. RMS offers a Roll Wear Analysis Report, where you can take molds of the rolls and send the molds to RMS for analysis, where we will provide you with a report indicating percent of life remaining. If you are interested to learn more and about pricing, please submit a Service Request Form.
2. Reseal Gaps and Connections: Overtime mills and connects can start to leak dust. To prevent, identify where the leak is coming from and either apply food grade silicone or replace seals.

Stocking Spare Parts: Essential Components Breweries Need on Hand

As part of your brewery maintenance routine, it’s essential to keep spare parts on hand. Having spare parts allows you to quickly replace components without waiting for them to be shipped or requiring a vendor to have them in stock. By stocking spare parts, you can restore your milling operations as quickly as possible and minimize downtime.

We recommend that breweries have the following spare parts on hand:

• Bearings
• Gearbox (6×6)
• Grease Line
• Main Grinding Motor
• Sheaves
• Spur Gear (6×6)
• V-Belts

Why Maintain Your Brewery Equipment?

By following this brewery mill maintenance checklist, brewers can ensure their mill operates at peak performance and efficiency. Regular maintenance will help prevent costly breakdowns, decrease downtime, and maximize productivity.

Preventative maintenance can help avoid unexpected issues and resolve problems before they have a chance to impact your product. Proper care maximizes the longevity of your brewing equipment, ensuring best-quality production for years to come. While the requirements can vary by mill, being proactive about maintaining your brewery equipment is crucial.

Remember, a properly maintained mill is not only crucial for the brewing process but also for producing high-quality beer that meets customer expectations.

Schedule Brewery Mill Service With RMS Roller-Grinder

RMS is here to help you keep a brewery maintenance schedule that supports your brewing operation for the best performance. We can help keep your brewery equipment running optimally. Let us help you keep your craft brewery running as intended–contact us today!