- Wake Up Early: Millers typically began their day before dawn, around 5 or 6 AM.
- Inspect the Mill: Before anything else, the miller checked the condition of the mill, ensuring that it was functional and ready for the day's work. This included inspecting the water flow, the millstones, and the machinery involved in the grinding process.
- Prepare for the Grind: The miller set up the grinding stones, selecting the appropriate ones based on the type of grain to be ground. They also made sure that there was sufficient grain available for the day's operations.
Grinding the Grain:
- Operate the Mill: Once everything was ready, the miller started the mill by opening the water gates to let the water flow through the mill wheel, which turned the millstones.
- Monitor the Grinding: The miller closely monitored the grinding process, adjusting the settings of the millstones to achieve the desired texture of flour.
- Sort the Flour: After grinding, the miller sorted the flour according to its quality and texture, separating coarser flours for animal feed from finer flours for human consumption.
- Bag and Store the Flour: The sorted flour was then bagged and stored in a cool and dry place, ready for sale or further use in baking.
Afternoon Tasks:
- Maintain the Mill: The miller took time for regular maintenance of the mill, including cleaning and lubricating the machinery, repairing any worn-out parts, and ensuring the overall efficiency of the operation.
- Manage Supply and Customers: The miller managed the supply of grain and dealt with customers who came to have their grain milled. They recorded transactions, calculated fees, and ensured fair practices.
- Break for Lunch: Depending on the workload and time available, the miller might take a short break for lunch during the afternoon.
Evening and Night:
- Continue Grinding: If there was still work to be done, the miller continued grinding through the evening and even into the night. Millers often worked long hours to meet the demands of their customers.
- Secure the Mill: Before retiring for the night, the miller secured the mill by closing the water gates, locking the doors, and ensuring the safety of the premises.
- Rest and Repeat: The miller retired to their quarters after a long day's work, ready to start the cycle again the following morning.