I got hold of a couple of Metates. (Actually, I got hold of three, but I'm keeping one for myself [g].) I also got a few more Coronas, and one more Estrella. Please click the link below if you're interested in any of these, thanks in advance!

My personal page on eBay - has links to the items mentioned above

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), June 23, 1999

Answers

Ron, do you know if the stone conversion kit made for the Moleno will fit an Estrella. I bought the Estrella at a little Mexican grocery and I am happy with it. I grind my flour twice and then sift. I plan to use the larger pieces for cereal, or I can grind it again for flour.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), June 23, 1999.

Yes, I'm 99% certain the corona kit would work in the estrella (as far as I can tell they are pretty much identical). The only way to know for certain is to try, though.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), June 24, 1999.

*dope slap*

You said "molino", not "corona". As far as I'm aware, a molino is an estrella. (if it had a box, did it say TISA?)

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), June 24, 1999.

Yes Ron I got them mixed up I have the Estrella. I picked it up at a local Mexican grocery store. We live in a small town and have very limited shopping. I paid $24.95 for it. The lady's husband picked it up in Mexico for me as they don't usually stock them. I am really quite pleased with it. It does take some muscle to turn the handle at first.

-- Homeschooling Grandma (mlaymon@glenn-co.k12.ca.us), June 26, 1999.

I think you got a decent price. These little mills are not very glamourous, but they are built like tanks and will last forever. They'll also grind things that will destroy some of the fancier mills (like popcorn, for example).

I read today on one of the Gary North boards that if you use stones (instead of the steel burrs), they can wear out in a year of use. I'm looking into finding a source for them anyway, because some folks want them. My own opinion is that I *like* coarse, hearty "cracked wheat" loafs of bread, but, to each his own. (If you have a steel burr mill, and add a stone kit, you can always go back to the steel if the stones wear out, or for any other reason.)

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), June 26, 1999.