jbeauchamp

Recipes 

I would like to start buying hops in bulk. Not huge amounts but a pound or two at a time. How do you all store your bulk hops after you have opened the package? I can store them in the freezer or fridge but the wife does not want all the food smelling/tasting like hops.

Any Suggestions?

weirdboy

Recipes 

I vacuum seal with a seal-a-meal that I got at Target for $30 or $40, and put it in the freezer. Many people on here use a FoodSaver, but they are more expensive even with a discount, and my seal-a-meal has worked great for me so far.

jldc

Recipes 

Mult threads already, but I use a foodsaver with mason jars. There is an attachment for both regular and widemouth mason jars that allows use and re-use indefinitely. Cheaper than disposable bags for sure.

RLinNH

Recipes 

I Close the Bag and Zip tie it, then I put it in the freezer. Hops never last more then a year in my house. I think the whole Food Saver routine is a bit overboard.

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Brew-boy

Recipes 

I use a food saver and have had 3 year old hops in there still smelling good with Citrus notes. I really think it is the only way to go if stored in a home freezer.

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TheAleMaster

Recipes 

+1 on the Food Saver and mason jars.

jldc

Recipes 

IMO if your hops are routinely gone in 12 months or less, than your method will work fine. I went a bit overboard and I have nine or ten pounds in my freezer and it will take a few years to use it all. I think the foodsaver will help, but I've only been doing it for about 6 months, so I can't back that up with any personal experience.

Bensiff

Recipes 

I have mine in sealed bages that are then crammed tightly into an air tight plastic container in a chest freezer...maybe about 3-4 lbs so they do not see much more than a year in storage before being used. No problems with other food smelling like hops.

BA_from_GA

Recipes 

i just toss mine in zip lock bags, manually suck out all the air i can get out as i seal the bag, and toss it in the freezer. I'm sure my AA levels drop a little over time, but after 5 or 6 months they're gonna drop anyway, right?

The way i see it i can't loose buying hops in bulk. I pay $8-14 per pound from hops direct or 2.99+ from the lhbs or online retailsers by the oz. even if i only use 3 oz of each hop, i have effectively still broken even.... it also leaves good options for impromptu brew days!

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GearJammer

Recipes 

Easiest/cheapest way, if buying from Hopsdirect, once you open the hops bag and take some out, push the air out, and use a clothes iron to reseal it. Put it on low setting, and run over the edge of the package for about 10 seconds.