History of the Salzburg Grain Mills

The History of Salzburg Grain Mills and Johann Thurner

Today, the agony of choosing the right grain mill is far more difficult than it was over 40 years ago. In the 1970s, one could count the available models and especially the pioneers who built grain mills for households on one hand – Johann Thurner was among them!

He was born in 1951 and died unexpectedly in 2008. The Salzburg grain mills were his life’s work.
Read about his story and that of his grain mills here.

A Piece of Quality of Life
He owed his love for good food to his mother, an excellent cook, and his curiosity about how things are truly well made to his father, a technical tinkerer and mechanical engineer!

Perfectionism or Health Consciousness?
Probably both. How else can one explain that a young mechanical engineer, with a master’s degree and in a leading position as a specialist for special machinery and devices in an internationally renowned company with excellent career opportunities, decided to give it all up to build top-quality mills?

With Own Ideas to Success
Back then, you couldn’t simply copy or replicate when you wanted to develop a household mill – it meant having your own ideas, experimenting – figuring it out on your own and making it better! The fact that he succeeded in this is especially proven by the “Salzburger Grain Mill” – the first mill model he developed, which even decades later is referred to as the Mercedes among grain mills.

The Natural Granite Millstone – The Crown of the Salzburg Grain Mills
Grinding according to old milling traditions combined with the latest technology was his goal. Five years of extensive research were necessary until a naturally grown millstone (a very special type of granite) could satisfy him with the finest milling results.

Consequently, many developments in mill construction can be attributed to his technical studies and common sense.

Everything Good Must Also Be Beautiful

But not only development and technology were emphasized by Johann Thurner, he also paid great attention to design. As a man of taste, who was not only connected to nature but also a modern person who was fully engaged in life (an enthusiastic sailor, mountaineer, music lover, etc.), an appealing appearance was an important criterion for him.
His opinion was: A mill should bring joy and be a decorative piece in the kitchen. Grain mills should be set up so that they are immediately available for every handful of flour!

Meeting the Trend of the Times, But Not at the Expense of Quality
He met the demands of modern times to a great extent with his mill models “Maxi” and “Carina”. With the smallest space requirements and the latest technology, he also met the desire for the best possible price. However, quality, which has its price, was something the born engineer could and would not compromise on.
His motto was: no compromise at the expense of quality!

Satisfied Customers Since 1977
The fact that businesses, families, and rural enterprises are still milling with Salzburg mills purchased over 40 years ago was, for him, proof that he had made the right decision, and it still is for us today. From conviction – with heart and mind….
As a young man, he had a dream: “I will become a mill builder and my mills will mill long, fine, and gently!”
His dream has come true – Johann lives on with his mills!

Since his death, his sister Christine Thurner has continued to build the Salzburg grain mills in his spirit.