Best way to store bulk grain?

[copyright1997]

+1 great info, but couldnt you just vaccue seal and put your vaccue sealed bag(s) in the bucket without needing the oxygen absorbers,or no?

Yes, that's what I do. But, the plastic on home vacuum sealed bags won't hold the seal nearly as long as the mylar with oxygen absorbers. It won't matter if you are using the grain within a year, but would matter if you were trying to save grains, rice, sugar, etc. for a long period of time (multiple years). So, if you are setting up your brewing supplies for when the S... Hits The Fan, I'd suggest Mylar.

 

[stpetebrewer]

These are all great ideas! I'm going to try to find the gamma lids local here and use the extra food grade buckets I have.

 

[HarkinBanks]

The new lowes white buckets are hdpe 2 and food grade. Even advertise them as such, which makes me chuckle and wonder if they did that for us. I use several for bulk grain storage.

 

[nebben]

Since the barley is uncrushed, what is the problem storing them in even non-food safe buckets? The barley will still be crushed and mashed, then boiled. What's the harm in that? It isn't like the plastic is leaching into the dry barley.

 

[ClarnoBrewer]

Since the barley is uncrushed, what is the problem storing them in even non-food safe buckets? The barley will still be crushed and mashed, then boiled. What's the harm in that? It isn't like the plastic is leaching into the dry barley.

Probably not an issue for uncrushed grain, especially if you're just talking new 5g buckets from the hardware store. However, some may have some nasty off-gassing kind of odors. Stick your head down in one and take a whiff. Some of those smells can be pretty strong. I suppose they could absorb into your grain over time.

I like food-safe stuff because then it can be used for most anything in the brewery. Sometimes my grain bucket gets pulled into service for other things. Then I don't have to worry about it.

 

[copyright1997]

Since the barley is uncrushed, what is the problem storing them in even non-food safe buckets? The barley will still be crushed and mashed, then boiled. What's the harm in that? It isn't like the plastic is leaching into the dry barley.

To each his own, but how do you know WHAT recycled plastic was previously used for or had stored in it? Can you think of chemicals or biological substances that you wouldn't want in contact with grains even after recycling?

Edit: Again, my philosophy is that I can get KNOWN GOOD food-grade buckets for the same amount or LESS than the HD Orange Homer buckets....so tell me why exactly I'd want to use the homer buckets?

 

[nebben]

homer bucket = convenient to get.

 

[joeybeer]

Homer buckets for me... Funnily enough, a full bucket is exactly 25lbs... I would buy grains based on the volume of these things.

 

[outside92129]

Darn it, the Costco's in San Diego sold out of the Vittle Vaults today, going for $24.99 for the 50lb/13gal version. I just missed them by ~10 minutes.

 

[jonmohno]

For now my bulk grain sack of base malt i just fold tight and put it in a big container to a 60 deg basement. Sealed up tight cool and dry is good for me.Im brewing small batches dilligently quickly to use them up sooner-think i will take a break this summer and enjoy the pipeline.Ill have to do an inventory count some day, I already have my old fridge going downstairs so now i can actually refrigerate/lager my beers better.Most of my older batches i would like to have in cooler temps.

 

[mistercameron]

I just found food grade buckets and lids at Home Depot. The white ones have "food grade" on the label and these were on the paint section next to the spackle and misc paint pouring contraptions. I think the price is pretty close to the cost of homer buckets.

I'd been going by the grocery store to pick up the icing buckets one at a time (~2.5gal), bit it was getting old. I think these HD buckets are a great find.