A grinding roll including a roll body having a cylindrical outer surface extending axially between a pair of opposite ends and a side groove formed at each end of the roll body. The side groove includes a support shoulder recessed from the cylindrical outer surface and/or from surfaces of the opposite ends of the roll body. The grinding roll includes an edge ring including a plurality of spaced receiving cavities and a plurality of wear members. Each wear member is received and retained in at least one of the receiving cavities of the edge ring. The wear members are positioned along the edge ring to define an edge of the grinding roll, and the edge ring is received within each side groove. The wear members are arranged to provide a wear protecting surface which is angled in relation to the cylindrical outer surface of the roll body. The angled wear protecting surface prevents excessive build-up of material on the grinding roll and reduces the need for maintenance.