Disposing of grains

[Jcoz]

Where/How does everyone dispose of their grains? I'm having issues so far getting rid of them, and I don't seem to have an answer for this yet...

 

[Ryush806]

Common methods include:
- Trashcan (in a trash bag of course)
- Compost Pile
- Make dog biscuits with it (there's a good recipe on here)

 

[McGlothan]

Give them to someone with chickens. They will love you

 

[blaster_54738]

Throw it over the back fence

 

[JonM]

Compost. Compost the hops too, as long as there are no dogs around.

 

[Golddiggie]

I've been brewing at a friend's place, where the grains are put into his compost bins. I'm planning on bringing them to my sister/mother's place moving forward to put them into the compost heap there. Just means that on brew day I'll put them into a garbage bag, into the back of the truck, so that it's easy to transport them the following day.

I'll have to see if there are any farms fairly close to where I'll be living. If so, I'll offer them up the post-mash grains for use.

I've also used the spent grains in making bread before. They can add something really nice to a bread recipe.

 

[AndrewD]

Trebuchet

 

[JonM]

Trebuchet

Winner!

 

[CadillacAndy]

I've been digging a big hole in my compost bin and then covering them with dirt. I did 5 10 gallon batches earlier in the summer and am surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops about the smell of death coming from my yard. Between the smell and the swarms of flies... Lesson learned I guess.

 

[heckels]

I've done the dog biscuits a few times. The dogs love them but it's just one more thing to dirty up on brew day.

For the past two years I've just been dumping them in the unsold lot two houses down. I'll be screwed once someone starts building there...

 

[RM-MN]

If you put them into a plastic bag on about the fourth day when you open the bag to see what you forgot you put in there it will smell almost the same as a feedlot for hogs.

I dump mine on the lawn or in the woods. Animals eat some, the rest will add to the soil.

 

[trailbrew]

Compost. Compost the hops too, as long as there are no dogs around.

Why no dogs? Was thinking of doing that but if it will hurt my dogs I cant.

 

[CadillacAndy]

Why no dogs? Was thinking of doing that but if it will hurt my dogs I cant.

Hops can be dangerous to dogs.

 

[kellzey]

I dump mine into my lake of my dock and feed the fishes

 

[mb82]

Personally I compost it. I mix it into the working compost and have never had a smell issue. Or at least no worse then rotting potatoes.

 

[djt17]

Feed to wife's horse. He knows when I'm brewing, he stands next to the gate the whole time!

 

[TychoBrahe]

Echo the chicken feed. Find someone who has chickens and barter for fresh eggs!

 

[Jcoz]

I can't deal with the flies... Maybe I'll take a look at the dog treats recipe, thanks for the replies, any more are welcome...

 

[beergolf]

I compost most of mine. You just have to mix in some dried shredded leaves with them to cut downon the stink.

Dog treats are awsome. I have two dogs that absolutely love them. I give some of the spent grain to my neighbors that have dogs so they can make their own treats.

 

[TyTanium]

For those with fly/smell issues - spread it thin and it dries out before it has a chance to smell. Then you can pile it back up. Compost is great, also over bare spots in the lawn, temporary mulch, etc.

 

[CadillacAndy]

For those with fly/smell issues - spread it thin and it dries out before it has a chance to smell. Then you can pile it back up. Compost is great, also over bare spots in the lawn, temporary mulch, etc.

Good call with this. If only I could come up with a way to keep the rats and mice away from it too. I fattened up this one rat so big that the standard rat trap only wounded him. I should get a free standing compost bin that can spin. That'd keep the little buggers (giant in my case) out.

 

[TrainSafe]

There's a really good spent grain bread recipe here somewhere. I keep a cup or two for that and compost the rest.

 

[payton34]

i tried putting them in a pile by my shed in the back yard. that is where i dump my ashes from the grill. the stench was incredible. double trash bag and into the trash can. i do make dog biscuits when i brew in the winter

 

[brewmadness]

The bread recipe is a good idea, Although the spent grains really don't add any flavor just texture since everything is extracted in the mash. They also make a mean crispy pizza crust. I don't have the recipe, but I'm sure it would turn up in a search.

 

[FATC1TY]

I have a hill at the end of my back yard. It's overgrown with whatever was native and wild before the neighborhood was built. I dump it there with the other piles of grain. It gets eaten by animals, as the piles are never as big as they were the day before.

 

[lumpher]

most i throw over the fence. some i make into dog treats. i have 2 mini rat terriers. i make the grains into "doggy brews", dog biscuits from the spent grains. it's their favorite treat, even over "bacon" (the bacon and cheese dog treats)

 

[Irish13]

Well I --

Make spent grain bread.
Feed it to my chickens.
Compost it.

 

[mcmillb1]

Go here: http://brooklynbrewshop.com/themash/category/spentgrainchef/

The blueberry cobbler with ice cream was fantastic, and the veggie burgers were hands down the best I'd ever eaten - even if you're not vegetarian, give them a try - they were amazing!

I tried Barley & Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars but they were WAY too sweet for my taste...but there's a ton of recipes on there!

 

[natureboy68]

Save some to bake with, compost the rest, just cover with green leafy material to help break it down...wish I had chickens to give it too!
If you have no room for composting, see if your township has a compost facility you can drop it off, or a local organic farm

 

[60sd]

Save some to bake with, compost the rest, just cover with green leafy material to help break it down...wish I had chickens to give it too!
If you have no room for composting, see if your township has a compost facility you can drop it off, or a local organic farm

I have a 3 can system: recycling, green waste, and regular trash. BEWARE: I learned the hard way that dumping soggy grain into the green waste container may lead to concrete stains from where the moisture leaks through the holes for the wheel axles. I found this thread by searching for a way to dispose of my grains. The last two batches went into the half barrel planters where the hops are planted, and the latest batch went into the tomato planter (My yard is 99% concrete).