Bulk Grain Storage

[zman]

I keep my bulk grains (MO, Pilsner, etc in the Homer Buckets and specialty grains are all in Tupperware like containers. I asked the question about grain storage and temps but never got a definitive answer. My house does not have AC and can get into the mid 70's to mid 80's. I keep them in a closet with the door closed. SO far so good. I taste them every other month or so to see if they are turning.

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

I keep mine in the bag it comes in. I only buy a bag at a time and it lasts about a month. I have no rodents and the climate here is very dry. My specialty grains are in bags in buckets.

+1, thats how they are stored in the warehouse, so that should be good enough for my closet. I will buy 350-400lbs once a year and store the bags unopened until I need them. Once I open (or any specialty grains I buy) I store them I store in 5 gallon buckets like the homer buckets.

Never had any problems with it, In fact I have some crystal that is approaching about 2 years at this point that I would not hesitate to brew with.

 

[jpc]

I have been keeping my sack in a plastic tote.

Hmmm... your pants must fit a little funny, huh?

 

[BeerPressure]

Hmmm... your pants must fit a little funny, huh?

that made me laugh aloud here at my computer

 

[HomebrewJeff]

Here is how I ended up storing my grains. I only have a small closet under the steps, and got really, really sick of having to drag 100+ lbs of grains in a rubbermaid container to get in there.

For the specialty grains, I bought a bunch of 2 & 4 qt containers at Walmart. They hold 2.5 & 5lbs each. They stack very nicely on the shelf. The pitcher holds about 10 lbs. For the base grains, I use these pet food containers I found at Meijers (it's a store like walmart/target) that cost $13. Depending on the grain, they hold about 45-48lbs. It would be great if they held a little more, but they fit so perfectly in the small space I have, I will be able to deal with it. I can always put the "overstock" in one of the other containers.

 

[Dog House Brew]

I just drop the bag into a plastic trash can and go on. I have my special grain in bags inside another trash can. No problems yet and my can holds 2 sacks.

 

[springer]

I just drop the bag into a plastic trash can and go on. I have my special grain in bags inside another trash can. No problems yet and my can holds 2 sacks.

hey now this is a public forum

 

[njnear76]

Question for you Homer Bucket guys: Do you use a liner? I haven't been.

 

[springer]

I don't use a liner per say I just throw it in the homer bucket in the bag it came in . I also use Vittle vaults

 

[dataz722]

Question for you Homer Bucket guys: Do you use a liner? I haven't been.

I don't think it is needed but I do just keep it in a trash bag in there. That way when I take some out i am still able to get most of the air out from around the grain.

 

[AnOldUR]

Question for you Homer Bucket guys: Do you use a liner? I haven't been.

For specialty grains that are bought in smaller quantities, I keep them in their original bags and toss as many as will fit into the Homer bucket and seal it. For bulk grains that come in a 55lb sack, I just dump them into the bucket without a liner. Never gotten any plastic smell or taste from it.

 

[zman]

no liners here in the homer buckets. However, Colorado is not known for moisture. I have some Marris from December in the bucket and it is still good. The homer buckets keep a real good seal

 

[njnear76]

Cool. I was concerned after reading those survivalist bulletin boards.

"Ommigod , you are going to die from the grains soaking up the fumes of a non-FDA bucket."

Maybe they are right to an extent, but I would think that any soaking would be minimal as compared to breathing in second hand smoke. Also a majority of the fumes absorbed from storage should be boiled off.

 

[brewt00l]

I use 5 gallon homer buckets from home depot.

Aye...2 per sack and you're set.

 

[lurker18]

I had a bunch of 2row in it's original paper sack and my basement flooded but none of the grain got wet.

After that I noticed that it wasnt as crisp as usual and it didnt crush as easily.

Is it possible that it also lost some of its fermentability? My efficiencies also dropped when using it

Malted grain has almost no moisture left in it, and left in a paper bag, or any bag that allows air in, the dry grain will suck the moisture out of the air to try to equalize the moisture levels. The softness to the grain was due to that. I don't think it would have lost some fermantability, but the change in your crush, having more flaked than crushed barley, could have affected that.

 

[hmmmbeer]

One would think that your extra fermenting bucket would be air tight enough seeing how it is enough to keep the final product safe.... I know I have a few extra buckets from when I started brewing. I now have like 8 carboys for my brewing, I like to leave my wine/cinder in them as they age then once a month just rack to another.