Bought my first big sack today!

[BryanJ]

I pay 60 for a sack of grain... It sucks.

 

[erikhild59]

Got in on my first group buy this summer. Grapped 2 55pounders of 2 row for $58 and a 90min roundtrip pickup. Keep your eyes on the group buy threads, they are well worth the effort. Cheers muggers!

 

[barleyhole]

Finished my first sack today! Paid .95/lb which is not bad considering what extract used to cost. Need to get in on a group buy!

 

[Conan]

I pay 60 for a sack of grain... It sucks.

You and me both, and probably from the same place.

I recently got my first sack, too- and the same malt. Brewed up an Arrogant Bastard clone (15 of the 55lbs gone in a few hours!) and am planning about 20 more pounds used soon. This, if it keeps, is the way to go! Kyle

 

[Alellujah]

I've never seen such a colorful sack as yours. The sacks I buy are in a plain brown paper sack with black lettering (Great Western Malting) I pay $50 for 50#. I store mine in two Home Depot "Homer" buckets.

So 50 lbs fits into 2 buckets? Does anyone use anything different for airtight storage?

 

[bottlebomber]

So 50 lbs fits into 2 buckets? Does anyone use anything different for airtight storage?

Look at Vittles Vaults... you can usually find them at Petco or any other well stocked pet store. They are expensive, but very nice.

 

[Alellujah]

Thanks. Yeah, I found some other threads and saw those mentioned a few times.

Appreciate the input!

 

[Montanaandy]

mmmm...sack porn....notice banjo included for reference length..... &>)
Once you go to sacks you'll never go back, first big 2 row sack (malteurop), and a nice fat sack of great western wheat malt....mmmmm

Malteurop is fantastic and is local to us here in MT so it is a win-win in Big Sky Country.

 

[Montanaandy]

So 50 lbs fits into 2 buckets? Does anyone use anything different for airtight storage?

Nope. As long as the lid is lined with a gasket and air tight it is fine. I have both buckets and the vittle vaults and considering that I can get a bucket and lined lid for $5 from Tractor Supply or any other farm and ranch store versus paying $30+ for a vittle vault the decision is a no-brainer. I think that the seal on the bucket is much more secure than that on the vittle vault. I actually gave the vittle vaults to my wife to use for their intended use - pet food.

I do find that I need 2+ buckets for a 55lb bag of grain. The extra will fit into a ziplock.

 

[JimTheHick]

Any reason to not just re-seal the bag the grain came in? This Canada malting bag is plastic lined and can be sealed back airtight with a little twist and zip-tie action.

 

[borden]

Just got my first sack today -- 50 pounds of Rahr 2-Row for about 35 bucks at Midwest. I'm going to dump it in one of those big Rubbermaid plastic storage tubs and store it on a pallet in the basement. Can't wait to crush and get my first sack-batch going in the next week or two. Prost.

 

[periwinkle1239]

I am jealous of everyone's big sacks.

 

[borden]

I am jealous of everyone's big sacks.

It's great, but then you crush it and it's gone.

Sorry, someone already do that one?

 

[cincydave]

I am jealous of everyone's big sacks.

I too have sack envy. Do these great prices everyone is throwing around include shipping or do you have local sack connections?

 

[borden]

I too have sack envy. Do these great prices everyone is throwing around include shipping or do you have local sack connections?

Seems like group buys are a big thing, but I assume a LHBS would sell by the sack. That's what I did. They just grabbed it off the pallet. Shipping 50 lbs of grain has got to cost a pretty penny if it's not cargo...

 

[WestCoastHopper]

I recently bought my first big sack. $38 for 55# of Canadian 2 row. Great local place. I'm already down 10#.

 

[Golddiggie]

Group grain buys are the only way I get my base malt now... At least 4 sacks at a time, all 55 pounders too. Not those scrawny 50# sacks, but manly 55# sacks.

One of the benefits of joining the local HBC is they have group grain buys three times a year... By the time my sacks are getting low, another grain buy will be happening. :rockin:

 

[Jester]

Finally picked my first sack today! 55# for $40... Food grade Lowes buckets with gamma lids.

 

[chuckjaxfl]

Food grade Lowes buckets with gamma lids.

FTW - Gamma Lids & cheap buckets

 

[Parkinson1963]

Thanks for keeping our Canadian barley farmers happy~!!

 

[periwinkle1239]

So I don't have a grain mill, but I'm thinking if I buy bulk that the crusher would eventually pay for itself eventually. Don't ya think? I suppose I could do a bit of math to figure it out exactly...

 

[Hopper450]

I want to own every part of my process, so a mill is a must have for me. Of course everything as budget allows.

 

[Golddiggie]

So I don't have a grain mill, but I'm thinking if I buy bulk that the crusher would eventually pay for itself eventually. Don't ya think? I suppose I could do a bit of math to figure it out exactly...

Depending on which mill you end up purchasing, will determine how long before it pays for itself. I wouldn't make that the only factor you consider when looking at mills though. Personally, I wish I had gotten the one I have now the first time. I went with a cheaper one (Barley Crusher) that did a decent enough job. But then I had a chance to sell it to another HBT member, and I ordered up the Monster Mill... Wish I had gone that route from the start. I would have spent less, total, if I had.

I'm sure there are going to be plenty of people who will say how the Corona mill is perfectly fine for milling your grain. Just as you'll find people loving the mill they have at this time. If you have a chance, check out the different mills in action before you make a purchase. See if there are members close enough to where you are, that you can go over on a brew-day to see how the mill they use works. Then you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

BTW, milling your grain on brew day, as you start brewing, is priceless. The longest my grain sits, crushed, is about an hour. Then it's into the mash tun. :rockin:

 

[periwinkle1239]

Depending on which mill you end up purchasing, will determine how long before it pays for itself. I wouldn't make that the only factor you consider when looking at mills though. Personally, I wish I had gotten the one I have now the first time. I went with a cheaper one (Barley Crusher) that did a decent enough job. But then I had a chance to sell it to another HBT member, and I ordered up the Monster Mill... Wish I had gone that route from the start. I would have spent less, total, if I had.

I'm sure there are going to be plenty of people who will say how the Corona mill is perfectly fine for milling your grain. Just as you'll find people loving the mill they have at this time. If you have a chance, check out the different mills in action before you make a purchase. See if there are members close enough to where you are, that you can go over on a brew-day to see how the mill they use works. Then you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

BTW, milling your grain on brew day, as you start brewing, is priceless. The longest my grain sits, crushed, is about an hour. Then it's into the mash tun. :rockin:

Thanks! Good advice, the monster mill is awesome!

 

[homebrew816]

Yes! I finally win one! I buy my grain for $27/55# bag.

 

[Golddiggie]

I typically pay $30-$40 per 55# sack of either Bairds UK 2-row or Maris Otter... That's still less than half the price of any other place I've tried to get it from. Group grain buys are a way to save a good amount of money on malt... It's also the main reason why I joined the local HBC...

 

[Doed]

Yes! I finally win one! I buy my grain for $27/55# bag.

ummm....where at?

 

[phoenixs4r]

Just joined the club. Bag sitting next to the mash tun, or 'mouse tongue' as my 2 year old assistant brewer would call it.

 

[Polboy]

nice, but im warning you your sack will be empty in no time

 

[phoenixs4r]

Oh I'm sure.

Luckily I've convinced my co-brewer and girlfriend how much more cost effective it is to buy the sacks, so it shouldn't be a problem.