Wheat flour milling
Elieser S. Posner
American Association of Cereal Chemists
Flour milling is considered an art. The miller applies experience accumulated over many generations. In the past, the art of milling was learned through apprentice programs. Formal schooling in milling didn’t exist until the 19th century. Even today, the miller still subjectively adjusts the steps of the process, such as the intensity of grinding, the flow of the sifter separations, and the air and sieves in the purifiers. Today, however, other disciplines—mechanical, chemical, and industrial engineering; computer controls; economics; and administration—are also used. The miller of the future will be an expert in a very unique field that depends on information and knowledge of several different disciplines. The objective of the milling process is to manufacture flour as efficiently as possible, technically and economically. This involves purchasing, testing, storing, preparation, milling, blending of flours, packaging, loading, and shipping. The miller must adjust the operation to local conditions and demands in each of these stages.&nbsp;