The history of Salzburg Grain Mills and Johann Thurner
Today, it is much more difficult to find the right grain mill than it was more than 40 years ago. In the 1970s, you could count the available models and, above all, the pioneers who built grain mills for domestic use on one hand – Johann Thurner was one of them!
He was born in 1951 and died unexpectedly in 2008. The Salzburg Grain Mills were his life’s work.
Read his story and that of his grain mills here.
A piece of quality of life
He owes his love of good food to his mother, an excellent cook, and his father, a technical tinkerer and mechanical engineer, his curiosity to find out how things are made really well!
Perfectionism or health awareness?
Probably both. How else can you explain the fact that a young mechanical engineer with a master craftsman’s certificate, in a leading position as a specialist for special machines and equipment in an internationally renowned company with excellent career prospects, decides to give up everything to build first-class mills?
Success with your own ideas
Back then, there wasn’t much you could copy or replicate if you wanted to develop a household mill – you had to have your own ideas, try things out – come up with them yourself and make them better! The “Salzburg Grain Mill” – the first mill model he developed, which is still referred to today – decades later – as the Mercedes of grain mills – proves that he succeeded in this.
The natural granite millstone – the crowning glory of Salzburg Grain Mills
Grinding according to the old grinding tradition in combination with the latest technology was his goal. 5 years of extensive research were necessary before a naturally grown grinding stone (a very special type of granite) could satisfy him with the finest grinding results.
Subsequently, many developments in mill construction were due to his technical studies and his common sense.
All good things must also be beautiful
But Johann Thurner not only placed great emphasis on development and technology, he also paid great attention to design. As an aesthete who was not only connected to nature, but also as a modern man who was fully immersed in life (enthusiastic sailor, mountaineer, music lover, etc.), an attractive appearance was an important criterion for him.
His opinion was: A grinder should be a joy to use and a piece of jewelry in the kitchen. Grain mills should be set up so that they are immediately available for every handful of flour!
Keeping up with the times, but not at the expense of quality
His “Maxi” and “Carina” grinder models meet today’s requirements to a high degree. With minimal space requirements and state-of-the-art technology, it also met the demand for the best possible price. However, the born technician could not and did not want to do without quality, which has its price.
His motto was: no compromise at the expense of quality!
Satisfied customers since 1977
The fact that businesses, families and farms grind with Salzburg mills acquired over 40 years ago was proof to him during his lifetime that he had made the right decision, and it still is for us today. Out of conviction – with heart and mind….
As a young man, he had a dream: “I will be a millwright and my mills will grind 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.