Millstenar

Millstenar are large, circular stones used in milling operations. These stones, often made of granite or sandstone, played a crucial role in grinding grain into flour or meal for centuries. The typical setup involved two millstones: a stationary bedstone and a rotating runner stone. Grain was fed into the eye of the runner stone, which then ground it between its surfaces as it turned, pushing the processed material outwards.

The exact design and composition of millstenar varied depending on the type of grain being milled, the available materials, and the intended fineness of the product. The surfaces of the millstones were usually grooved or dressed with a pattern to help channel the grain and efficiently move the flour away from the grinding zone. Maintaining these grooves was essential for optimal performance.

The operation of millstenar required a power source, which could be water wheels, windmills, or even animal power. As technology advanced, the scale and efficiency of milling operations increased, but the fundamental principle of using millstenar remained consistent for a long time. Today, while modern milling technologies have largely replaced traditional millstenar, they remain important historical artifacts and are often found preserved in museums or as decorative elements in rural landscapes, serving as reminders of a vital part of agricultural history.