Beginner’s Guide to Tools for Fresh-Milled Flour Baking

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When you first start milling your own flour, it can feel overwhelming to know what tools you actually need. The truth is—you don’t need a fully stocked kitchen or fancy gadgets to get started. With just a few basics, you can be baking wholesome, fresh-milled bread and other goodies at home. Here’s a simple guide to the essential tools (plus a few helpful extras) that make baking with fresh flour easier and more enjoyable.

The Essentials (Must-Have Tools) 

1. A Grain Mill

The heart of fresh-milled baking is, of course, the grain mill. This is what transforms whole grains into flour full of flavor and nutrition. A quality electric mill will save time and give you consistent results. Visit A Guide to Choosing the Best Grain Mill for Home Baking for more info on grain mills and how to find the right one for your needs.

2. Whole Grains

Instead of buying flour, you’ll buy grains like wheat, spelt, or rye and grind them fresh at home. For beginners, I recommend starting with hard white wheat (great for bread) and soft white wheat (perfect for cookies, pancakes, and muffins). Check out our Intro to Milling Grain Kit to get started. 

3. Storage Containers

Since you’ll be working with both flour and whole grains, airtight containers are a must. Keep flour you’ll use within a few days in smaller jars, and store your bulk grains in buckets or bins. 

4. Digital Kitchen Scale

Baking with fresh flour can be a little different than store-bought flour, and measuring by weight ensures consistency every time. A scale is inexpensive and makes a huge difference.

Helpful Add-Ons (Nice to have, but not required)

5. Fine Mesh Sieve 

Some bakers like to sift part of their flour for lighter results in cakes or pastries. This isn’t essential, but it’s nice to have if you want to experiment. 

6. Mixing Bowls & Dough Scraper 

A sturdy set of mixing bowls and a flexible scraper will help with no-knead breads and sticky doughs. They’re basic tools you’ll use daily, not just for bread. 

Optional Upgrades (For When You’re Ready)

7. Dutch Oven or Bread Pan 

A Dutch oven creates an amazing crust for artisan loaves, but a regular bread pan or baking sheet works just fine when you’re starting out. 

8. Stand Mixer

Totally optional, but if you bake often or love enriched doughs, a mixer can save arm strength and time. We personally use the Ankarsrum Mixer for most of our bakes. Occasionally, we use a Kitchen Aid for small batches, but fresh mill flour is known for burning up the motor on Kitchen Aid mixers.  The professional Kitchen Aid is the only Kitchen Aid we've seen recommended for use with fresh milled flour.

Simple Starter Checklist

If you’re brand new to fresh-milled baking, here’s what you actually need on day one: 

• Grain mill
• A few pounds of whole grains (hard white wheat + soft white wheat are best to start)
• Airtight storage jar or container
• Kitchen scale
• That’s it! Everything else can be added over time as you bake more. 

Final Thoughts 

Baking with fresh-milled flour is a journey, and you don’t have to invest in everything at once. Start with the basics, get comfortable, and then add tools as you go.