So this is a rookie question but if I'm buying grains for steeping (crystal malt), would I want it to be milled at the LHBS or keep them as whole grains?
All grains should be milled before you brew with them (well except flaked grains I guess). So if you don't have a grain mill, then you should have them mill it for you.
I do not have a crusher and I usually just buy my ingredients right before I brew so I will definitely be having them crush them for me from now on. Thanks for the responses.
Just don't let them sit around for a very long time. I have heard of people having grains for a month or two without any negative affects but I would not recommend having them around longer than that.