Whats the shelf life of DME? I'm thinking about getting a few pounds for yeast starters (I use one for every 10 gallon batch) cuzz I only use one vial meant for 5 gal. And to also use as a buffer to raise my Gravity to my target if I'm only a few points low...sound like a good idea?
Got dme?
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HellBound
Well-Known Member
Sounds like it'll be fine.
I have no idea what the shelf life is. But I know that I've had some sitting for close to a month give/take a day or so. It MAY have affected the overall beer, but I didn't really notice.
I have no idea what the shelf life is. But I know that I've had some sitting for close to a month give/take a day or so. It MAY have affected the overall beer, but I didn't really notice.
As long as you keep it away from moisture the shelf life is quite long (many months). I actually had a bit of DME kicking around for several years (like probably 4-5) once. I was going to use it, but it had transformed to roughly the consistency of a pencil eraser. I thought I ought to just replace it at that point...
aiptasia
Well-Known Member
Yep, if sealed and completely dry, it'll last for six months or more. I might consider freezing it and including a silica dessicant pack (or a few grains of rice) if it's going to be a long term storage situation.
I've purchased three pound bags of DME, and once opened kept it tightly closed inside a bigger ziploc bag in my cool dry cupboard, and it's lasted a very long time! It's been in there maybe a year.
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
I'd be less worried about the shelf life of DME if it's only being used for starters as opposed to being used in a full batch. In a starter, you're only trying to increase the amount of yeast and most of the wort is decanted off so how it tastes isn't that important.
I keep mine in a container in the freezer. It takes me about a year to go through 3 pounds.
I keep mine in a container in the freezer. It takes me about a year to go through 3 pounds.
I've had a pound, now down to 1/2, for about a year now. I use is primarily for carbonation. I keep it in a clean zip lock bag, and change the bag when it gets gummy. I live in NJ and we went through a rather humid summer last year and it weathered fine.
