käsimylly

Käsimylly is a Finnish term that translates to "hand mill." It refers to a manual grinding device used for processing various materials, most commonly grains like wheat or rye. These mills typically consist of two revolving stones, one placed on top of the other. Grain is fed into a hole in the center of the upper stone, and as the upper stone is turned by a crank or handle, the grain is crushed and ground into flour between the stones. The resulting flour then exits from the sides.

Historically, käsimyllys were essential tools in households and small communities before the advent of mechanized milling. They allowed individuals to produce their own flour for baking bread and other staple foods. The effort required to operate a käsimylly could be significant, making flour production a labor-intensive task. Different sizes and designs of käsimyllys existed, varying in their capacity and the fineness of the grind they could produce. While largely replaced by electric or water-powered mills, hand mills are still used in some contexts for specific purposes, often for artisanal flour production or as historical demonstrations. The term can also be used more broadly to describe any simple, hand-operated grinding mechanism.