cornmill

A cornmill is a mill used to grind corn into meal or flour. In British usage, corn historically refers to any grain, whereas in North American usage corn specifically means maize. A cornmill may be powered by wind, water, or, in modern times, by electricity, and has been a central feature of agricultural economies in many regions.

Traditional cornmills use two circular stones: a bed stone and a runner stone. Grain is fed from a hopper onto the center of the bed stone, and the runner stone turns to grind it into a meal or flour. The ground product is carried away by gravity and then separated into different textures by sieves or bolters. The texture of the flour depends on the gap between the stones and the design of the sieves. In industrial settings, roller mills and hammer mills have largely replaced stone mills, producing finer and more uniform flour and enabling higher throughput.

Historically, cornmills were common along rivers, streams, and coastlines where power could be readily obtained from water or wind. They played a vital role in local food supply and in the development of rural communities. Today, many working mills survive as heritage sites, educational facilities, or artisanal producers of specialty corn products such as cornmeal, polenta, and grits.

Related topics include gristmills, windmills, watermills, and the broader history of milling and grain processing.