Newest Threads

vtchuck · 10-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Local hardware store has 32 Gallon snap top plastic garbage cans on sale for $10 each. Any idea how many pounds of grain can be stored in a 32 G container?

TIA

elmetal · 10-01-2009, 11:53 AM

I'd say 15 lbs per 5 gallons but I'm not experienced. by my math that gives you....almost 100 lbs?

**Ohio-Ed** · 10-01-2009, 01:12 PM

I can put 50lbs in 2, 5ga buckets.

I would be careful with a trash can... It will most likely NOT be airtight. If you put your grain in an air tight bag/container then into the trash can you may be alright, but I wouldn't dump my grain in an un-sealed can.

Temperature and Humidity are problems with grain storage. Temp is really not a problem until you introduce humidity, then you get bugs. If you seal your grain in an air tight container it "should" hold the humidity to no more than it was when you closed the lid.

Ed

The Pol · 10-01-2009, 01:19 PM

I seal mine in plastic bags

elmetal · 10-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Ive heard sealing in 4-5 lb packs using foodsavers is a good way to store them

**Ohio-Ed** · 10-01-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

I seal mine in plastic bags

The buckets give me a bit of comfort that the grains are physically protected (more problem for rodents to get through the bucket than just a bag). The buckets also stack and store nicely.
I put all my specialty grains in zip lock bags... squeeze all the air out I can then seal. Then the bags go into a Homer bucket. I started out doing the same with base grain, but now just dump the base grains into the bucket without the bags and seal the lid. I use painters tape on the outside of the buckets to identify and age the contents.

Ed

The Pol · 10-01-2009, 01:37 PM

These are heavy plastic bags, sealed with a foodsaver, 1-18 pounds each, stored indoors so I have no danger of rodents. They arent in rigid containers, but they are very easy to stack, and they only take up as much room as there is grain. I dont have a 30 gallon container with 10 pounds of grain in it, taking up 30 gallons of space, just 10 pounds of grain.

**Ohio-Ed** · 10-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

These are heavy plastic bags, sealed with a foodsaver, 1-18 pounds each, stored indoors so I have no danger of rodents. They arent in rigid containers, but they are very easy to stack, and they only take up as much room as there is grain. I dont have a 30 gallon container with 10 pounds of grain in it, taking up 30 gallons of space, just 10 pounds of grain.

I've read enough of your posts to know you'd have it covered

Looks like you have a very nice storage process worked out.
My reply was for the benefit of the OP.

jspence1 · 10-01-2009, 02:02 PM

I a big fan of the grape juice buckets, a sack fits nicely into 2 buckets. If you have a BOP place close you can usually buy them for $1 with the lids. If you have more than one place around check out the buckets, not all buckets are created equal. The ones from one store stack much nicer than the other.

EDIT

I would also recommend the food saver for the specialty grains. I found that the larger bags took a long time to get the air out of and it worried me I was going to burn out the pump. 5-6 pounds seems like a nice amount and doesn't take too long to seal.

Cpt_Kirks · 10-01-2009, 02:16 PM

Garbage cans are generally not food grade plastic.

I am not sure about the garbage cans, but some trash bags are treated with insect repellent chemicals.

Make sure anything you store food in (and beer ingredients are "food") is food grade.