Looking for inexpensive grain bins

[Ragman]

Anyone know where to find inexpensive grain bins?

Ive heard the vittle vaults are great but at almost $50 for a 50lb capacity, thats a little too steep for me.

What is everyone using to store their grains?

 

[apache_brew]

If you can find white 6 or 7 gallon buckets, two of them will damn near hold a 55 lb sack of grain (definitely will after your first brew day, just leave the sack closed till then). And gamma seal lids.

 

[MaxSpang]

I use food-grade plastic buckets with lids from Lowes and they work great! I think they are around $7 including the lid, and a plus is that you can use them for things like holding sanitizer when it's not full of grain.

 

[Konadog]

Food grade buckets with gamma seal lids are about as cheap as it gets, but keep an eye on the #60 vittle vaults because every once in awhile they go on sale. I picked mine up for $23 each and I think I remember them going down as low as $20.

 

[RM-MN]

Walmart usually has plastic tubs to stow your Christmas decorations in. They aren't airtight but will keep mice and other critters out.

 

[mpdog]

You can get Rubbermaid 10 and 20 gallon ingredient bins/trash bins at restaurant supply stores that are food safe/certified in the twenty dollar range.

 

[Ragman]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will look into buckets and gamma lids.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I agree food grade buckets and lids. Look at local HD or Lowes.

 

[deuc224]

the vitta vaults are 35 for 60lbs at petco.

 

[CaptMogul]

I live in S Florida, hot & humid. I keep my grain in giant vacuum storage bags that hold over 55lbs grain ( Cheep). I put the bag in a trash can. When I purchase a bag of grain I leave it on my pickup tailgate slit a hole and let it drain into my storage bag. Saves time and labor.
Ed B

 

[mashpaddled]

Buckets with gamma lids would be your cheapest option. The lids are great because they will keep out bugs/rodents as well as humidity. The downside is that the bucket handles are not well designed to carry that much weight. The metal loop is fine but the plastic will eventually break.

I'd look around craigslist or local fb groups for used vittles vaults as well.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Then grip the bucket from the sides and not the handle.

I do recommend, to save one's fingers, a lid tool.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Linzer-5-Gallon-Plastic-Lid-Opener-5425/203713320

 

[RM-MN]

Anyone know where to find inexpensive grain bins?

I found the two on the left near Crookston, MN. Only $500 each but I had to disassemble and haul.
Grain

 

[ATLBeer]

Check Craigslist. These $20 food grade barrels are listed in ATL.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

These barrels are excellent for collecting rain water (for the garden, hops, etc). Do wish I could find these on CL at my location.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I am cheap. My solution was 5 gallon food grade buckets from Home Depot along with the inexpensive snap on lids (not Gamma Seal lids). I think the total is around $7 for the pair. One bucket holds around 20 lbs of grain. This was cheap enough for me to justify 6 buckets and 6 lids. Is this solution as air tight as other solutions? I am not sure but 2-year old grain seems fine.

But while I am happy with my direction, I have seen 50 lb Vittles Vaults on sale for prices that are very close to the same price as 2 buckets and lids. The Vittles Vaults look like they would stack much better than my buckets.

 

[wsmith1625]

Buckets with gamma lids would be your cheapest option. The lids are great because they will keep out bugs/rodents as well as humidity. The downside is that the bucket handles are not well designed to carry that much weight. The metal loop is fine but the plastic will eventually break.

I'd look around craigslist or local fb groups for used vittles vaults as well.

The plastic on the handle will crack eventually, but wrap it with some black electrical tape to give it new life. Works for me.