storing grains

[avm221]

im looking at starting at buying grains by the 50lbs sacks how dose this need to be stored? how long with it last i know crushed grain has a time limit but do crushed grains have a time limit? how do you store you grain?

 

[el_caro]

I have to store mine in a cellar which for short periods of time gets a little damp after heavy rains. Storing in sealed plastic drums/buckets works fine for me.

 

[RM-MN]

Keep the grains in a dry location and they will last for a long time. I raise grain on my small farm and I can put the grain into a steel bin and leave them there for a couple years and they are as good as new. With long time storage the ability to sprout is gone but the grains still have the food value. I've sold grain that was in a bin for over 6 years and it was fine. Malted grain may not keep as well but a year should not be a problem.

 

[Rbeckett]

13 Gallon screw top pail that is sold on ebay for 18 bucks plus freight. It will hold a full sack and the lid has a nice gasket and it is clean food grade. They originally contained pharmaceuticals in bags and arrive in a nice heavy duty bag that protects them during shipment. They have nice folding handles and are stackable. You can write what is in them with a sharpee and erase it with an alcohol swab when you change. Good airtight storage for cheap, and you can do a 10 gallon batch in it no problem if you drill the lid and add an air lock too.

Wheelchair Bob

 

[BeardedIdiot]

You can use the Home Depot buckets with Gamma-seal lids. You can get a bucket with lid for something like $7, I think, and it will hold 25lbs of grain (average). Two buckets with lids should do for a 50lbs bag of grain.

You can also look up Vittle Vaults. They are sold on Amazon, and locally in stores like Petco, PetSmart, etc. They come in various sizes, but they also have gamma-seal lids, and will keep grain very well. They are more expensive, around $35-45 each.