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Spent grain storage

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nukebrewer

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Hey all,
I am brewing a Belgian pale ale right now, been boiling for about 15 minutes or so. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions onwhat to do with the spent grain until I can get around to making bread and/or dog treats out of it. Thanks.

-AJ
 
Hey all,
I am brewing a Belgian pale ale right now, been boiling for about 15 minutes or so. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions onwhat to do with the spent grain until I can get around to making bread and/or dog treats out of it. Thanks.

-AJ

Freezing is works well. I put it in bags, flatten, and put it into the freezer.
 
Most of mine goes in the compost pile. I garden and raise/can/ freeze most of my own vegetables.

The rest of the spent grains goes to the guy across the street for his chickens.
 
If you're not going to use it immediately, you have to freeze it, almost instantly. Because as it cools, lactobacillus sets in. The grain starts to get slimy and starts to stink to high heaven. Even thawing it out you have to use it quickly.

I once saved 10 pounds in my freezer to take to my then GF's Llamas that she raised. I pulled it out of the freezer about 45 minutes before I left to soften, and it was another 45 minute's drive, and in that 90 minutes it had turned.

Even the llamas wouldn't touch it. In fact, they were so offended by it that they started huffing and puffing which is the sign that they, like camels, will start a nasty spitting attack. My GF yelled at me to back out slowly. It was touchy. :D
 
Whatever you do, do it quickly cuz grains get quite stinky, quite fast. I have had some frozen for a couple months with the intent of using them for bread, but not sure if I'll get around to it or if they stay for that long frozen.
 
My GF yelled at me to back out slowly. It was touchy. :D

Revvy, I'm no expert with the ladies, but my advice would be to try roses next time :D

OP - yes, get it chilled as quick as possible or it will be stinky and nasty....
 
Vomit is the smell you'll get from saving spent grain, use it asap or find another use for it `cuss thats a smell you'll never forget.

Compost,garden or I feed the horses & wildlife.
 
Last 5-6 brew days I have just tossed the grains into the garden. Brewed last Sunday and looking out the window now the birds are still feasting on the grains. Obviously they don't care about the smell or off flavors. Also mulch the hop plants with the grains, seems to be a fitting use.
 

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