Millstone

3D Model

The model shows a 4ft 6ins diameter by 12ins thick millstone weighting 1.3 tons that was once in use at Upminster. It was made from French Burr, the preferred stone for milling fine flour. Rather than being a single piece of stone, it comprised several blocks held together by iron hoops, with Plaster of Paris used to fill the cracks and stabilise the assembly. The grooves in the face of the stone are known as its dressing. As the stone revolved, the grooves channelled grain from the centre of the stone to its outer edge, grinding it to flour.