jpass00
Active Member
I am thinking of buying my first 50# bag of 2 row. what would be the best way for me to store it?
What is the best way to store bulk grains?
- Thread starter jpass00
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I picked up a few stackable Vittles Vaults at Costco a few months back. Can't remember the size, but they fit a 20kg bag of malt perfectly.
Prior to that, I was using 5 gallon plastic buckets with lids. Two buckets would hold a bag.
Prior to that, I was using 5 gallon plastic buckets with lids. Two buckets would hold a bag.
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Either in Vittle Vaults or in a solution of CO2, water, ethanol, Isomerized alpha/beta, and various poly/mono saccharides.
I use commercial ice cream pails (12L each), but then I get those for free. It takes 5 of them to store 50lbs, but they're easy to move around and store. I only have to open 1 to get enough grain for a batch, so the remaining tubs stay sealed.
Anything made of HDPE (#2) with a good seal works well. Some people even use galvanized garbage cans lined with food safe bags, but the bags can be hard to find.
Big questions are:
1) How long is it going to take you to go through 50lbs,
2) How much are you willing to invest.
Anything made of HDPE (#2) with a good seal works well. Some people even use galvanized garbage cans lined with food safe bags, but the bags can be hard to find.
Big questions are:
1) How long is it going to take you to go through 50lbs,
2) How much are you willing to invest.
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jpass00
Active Member
I figure 50# will maybe last me 4 or 5 months. Also I am like anyone, I would like to spend a little as possible. I planed on using air tight containers to store the grains. I didnt know if there was any special precautions to keep it fresh and dry.
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jpass00
Active Member
I like the Vittles Vaults idea. The ones I found online said they were 11 gallons. How much grain can I fit in a 11 gallon container?
You should be able to get a sack into that size container. I put about half a sack into a 5 gallon bucket.
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jpass00
Active Member
ok thanks barc. maybe thats the route I will go. Now is there any benefit of keeping the grain refrigerated? Or is there any tricks to keep it as fresh as I can?
The bins on the bottom of this pic are Sterilite from Target, 66 qt. They hold about 70# of grain. I've been using these for a year with no problem. click on pic for closeup.
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jpass00
Active Member
WOW..passedpawn. That setup is great. I would love to have a fully stocked grain pantry.
The bins on the bottom of this pic are Sterilite from Target, 66 qt. They hold about 70# of grain. I've been using these for a year with no problem. click on pic for closeup.
A bit off topic, but do you/can you buy flaked corn and oats in bulk?
I don't use much of that stuff. (some corn in some english beers and cream ale, and the oats in stouts). So I only buy 5# quantities from Brewmaster's Warehouse or my LHBS.
I would guess your LHBS would buy a bag of anything for you at a decent price if you asked. Also, my local whole foods place (big store) has large quantities of flaked grains.
"What is Beer" for $1000, Alex.
SAMPLER
Well-Known Member
The bins on the bottom of this pic are Sterilite from Target, 66 qt. They hold about 70# of grain. I've been using these for a year with no problem. click on pic for closeup.
Do those buckets have a rubber o-ring keeping them air tight?
Very jealous by the way
hoppymonkey
Well-Known Member
I use those "space bags" from wal-mart which are vacuum sealed with a regular vacuum. The ones I have will hold around 30lbs and I just open and take what I need to on brew days and reseal. Works great on the cheap.( $2-$4 per bag depending on size)
O-rings - no. No, they are not air tight. If you got stuck in one, though, you'd probably suffocate.
The only grains i have any worry about is the flaked grains because they have no husk. But I haven't had any problem there either.
Brewing has been very, very good to me.
Sean
Well-Known Member
I think I agree. Air tightness is not crucial if you are going to use the grains within a 6 to 9 month period. If they are in the pantry for more than a few months, I usually toast them in the oven for a few minutes before grinding.
I use the food saver for specialty grains that I only use a bit of.
why ?
Sean
Well-Known Member
Dries them if any humidity got in. Moisture can bring off flavors. Lightly toasting dry ingredients for cooking is a common practice.
I don't know if it improves the beer, but it makes me feel better about the ingredients.
I don't know if it improves the beer, but it makes me feel better about the ingredients.
samc
Well-Known Member
Doesn't that change the character of the grain? Also the grains are about to be immersed into gallons of water which is 100% humid.
Chances are if they sat with humidity inside of them beyond normal moisture content of the grain they would be spoiled or fermented.
Sean
Well-Known Member
don't agree, ymmv:fro:
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It won't store bulk grains, but now when I need to order any specialty grain I get 5lbs of it regardless of what I need. I put the rest in airtight 3-4quart containers from the local dollar store. I find they have lots of great, and cheap, storage solutions.
