Storing Bulk Grain

Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:34 pm

I've just purchased 250 lbs of base malts. I was planning on storing them (in bag) in large plastic garbage cans with a snap-on plastic lid. They'd be in my garage and subject to hot and cold. Is this feasible, and is there a better plan?
"Well...I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer."
-Jim Morrison, "Road House Blues"
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Guido
 
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Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:10 pm

Better to keep them inside, away from the heat and humidity (and rodents and insects...). Cool and dry is best.
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siwelwerd
 
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Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:29 pm

siwelwerd wrote:Better to keep them inside, away from the heat and humidity (and rodents and insects...). Cool and dry is best.


+1
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BDawg
 
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Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:45 am

I can't sing the praises of the "Vittles Vault" made by Gamma Squared (http://www.gamma2.net/) nearly loudly enough for this application. I bought one of these for dog food (its intended purpose) and was loading it into the truck when the light came on and I went back into the store and bought them out (and subsequently ordered more from the manufacturer). The key is the screw on lid and O-ring which make a moisture and insect tight seal and I've never had a rodent knaw through one. I've found forgotton ones full of grain in the basement and found the grain fresh and sweet smelling and capable of producing wort after 5 years (I didn't have the cujones to make beer with that wort though). One of the normal size ones will hold a 25 kg sack of grain and there are smaller sized which can be used if you store specialty grains in smaller quantities (or used to send your pooch off for boarding for a couple of days).

With the gamma seal lid storage in a dry place is no longer so important (though more moisture will naturally find its way into the headspace if you open the container in a humid location) but it is still best to keep grain cool. Note that these things are stackable and they now make one with a side opening so you ought to be able to tuck them into a corner somewhere in the brewery or garage.
ajdelange
 
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Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:28 pm

Guido wrote:I've just purchased 250 lbs of base malts.


How did you okay this with the wife? I don't think mine would go for it.
bleachcola
 

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:55 pm

bleachcola wrote:
Guido wrote:I've just purchased 250 lbs of base malts.


How did you okay this with the wife? I don't think mine would go for it.


Dude, my wife said we need to buy grain! I love her madly!!!
"Well...I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer."
-Jim Morrison, "Road House Blues"
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Guido
 
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Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:11 pm

Maybe I should start beating mine.
bleachcola
 

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:36 pm

bleachcola wrote:Maybe I should start beating mine.


But be a gentleman and use an open fist.
"Well...I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer."
-Jim Morrison, "Road House Blues"
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Guido
 
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