Storing Bulk DME

[berwick12]

I'm looking into buying 50# of DME. What will be the best way to store it? Seeing how DME is hygroscopic the second I open that bag it don't want it to turn to stone.

Any Ideas?

 

[Kungpaodog]

I'd think you would want to first put it into some smaller containers, ziplocks or tupperware, so that you only expose a few pounds at a time when you open each one. Probably double bag 'em. Maybe some of those silica gel desicant packages would help, if you can find them. I know we've used them at work for a very different application, so it is possible to buy them.

 

[jspence1]

I've had a bag of dme in a ziplock bag for more than 6 months and its still a powder.

 

[notwoohoo]

I used to vacuum seal with my foodsaver DME for starters.

 

[Edcculus]

I use ziplock too. I buy 5 lb bags and put them into a big ziplock. It gets stored in the closet with all my other brewing gear. Unless you live in VERY humid parts, I dont see it being a problem. Mine survived through a few South Carolina summers without becoming a brick.

 

[bad coffee]

A gallon zip lock is just over 4# of DME. I double bag 11 bags and then double bag the rest as 6oz packs for starters.

B

 

[loganweaver]

I used a Foodsaver vacuum sealer to split into 3, 2 and 1 pound bags. It was a complete pain. The DME is so fine it would clog the channels in the specialty bags. I spent hours fighting the super fine sugar sticking to everything and clogging the vacuum sealer. I almost ran out of beer before I was able to seal up 50 pounds of malt. But I am a determined sort and I muscled thru. I put all of the individual bags in a plastic storage container with a tight fitting lid. Next time around I will go with zip lock bags, vacuum sealer was overkill.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I usually keep 2-4 55# boxes on-hand. I just leave it in the box and use it from there.

I've never had any of it get hard.