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Storing Bulk Grain

https://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16996

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Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:34 pm
by Guido
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?

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:10 pm
by siwelwerd
Better to keep them inside, away from the heat and humidity (and rodents and insects...). Cool and dry is best.

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:29 pm
by BDawg
siwelwerd wrote:Better to keep them inside, away from the heat and humidity (and rodents and insects...). Cool and dry is best.


+1

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:45 am
by ajdelange
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.

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:28 pm
by bleachcola
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.

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:55 pm
by Guido
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!!!

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:11 pm
by bleachcola
Maybe I should start beating mine.

Re: Storing Bulk Grain

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:36 pm
by Guido
bleachcola wrote:Maybe I should start beating mine.


But be a gentleman and use an open fist.

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