[Paul R.]

Reverting back to a question I asked here weeks ago, I looked into coffee bean grinders to grind up chicken egg shells, per a FReeper’s suggestion. However, most under $50 or so are small. I’d like to grind up the eggshells a half gallon to gallon (loosely filled) at a time, maybe every month or two.

I also looked at grains’ grinders — there’s one on Amazon and eBay that looks pretty good for around $30, but, it looks to me like the grinding disks themselves are aluminum. That seems like it’d wear quickly.

Some people roll ‘em under a rolling pin. Seems a bit messy if doing many.

What about putting some in a large, well washed out laundry detergent bottle (take out the plastic insert under the cap), add ~ 1 pint medium large gravel (say, 1” to 2” pieces), shake well, and then “screen” out any large pieces of shell surviving, and the gravel pieces. ??? Has anyone tried that? Did it work?

[Paul R.]

Above question to “All”, of course...

[Pollard]

Among preppers there are two grain mills. Economy version was the Victorio Back to Basics Grain Mill. Deluxe version is the Country Living Grain Mill.($658)

Victorio has been rebranded as VKP Brands and in the pic below, on the left is discontinued and on right is identical under new VKP name.($80)

https://www.amazon.com/Operated-Adjustable-Grain-Grains-VKP1012/dp/B0018P54TS/

Self-aligning stainless steel grinding burrs for long life and smooth even milling.

I have no idea how good or bad of a job a grain mill will do for egg shells though. Seems like it should work fine as long as they're nice and dry as not to clog up the unit.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Paul. I have used my blender for this but it does cause a lot of wear.

Perhaps something like this? Fill it up and put some steel bearings in there and run it a while. Lists for $69, but might be able to find it for less or maybe used?

https://www.harborfreight.com/dual-drum-rotary-rock-tumbler-67632.html

https://rocktumbler.com/blog/used-rock-tumblers/

Good luck!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

What I am planning to do, and what others have suggested, is to shop Goodwill or whatever thrift shop you have in the area and get a full-sized blender for your shell crushing convenience, versus a coffee bean grinder. Also - ask friends and neighbors. For some reason, people keep all manner of gadgets that they’re no longer using. ;)

I let the shells dry out thoroughly, then put them in a heavy Ziplock bag, then use a meat mallet (flat side) to crush them up. then they go into an old, covered, ice cream tub for use in the garden.

But, your idea with the gravel in a laundry detergent bottle, and shaking, sounds like a good ‘Field Expedient Method.’ (Army-Speak)