Ingredients Storage

[Leemond]

As I'm (currently) only brewing in small batches I often have to over order on ingredients for the size of the batch I'm doing, leaving me with leftovers. I've read elsewhere that hops can be frozen if sealed in zip lock bags, whilst others suggest storing them like that in a fridge is fine. I have used some stored using both methods and the beer has seemed ok, but just wondering whether either (or neither) are advised?

I also have to buy yeast sachets that are much bigger than I need - I haven't been storing the leftovers of these - could I potentially if I sealed them?

Finally, leftover malt is sealed as tightly as I can in its original bags and kept in a cool, dry, dark place. Again no issues to date but is this ok to do (for a limited time)?

Thanks in advance guys :thumb:

 

[Chrissparky]

Have you looked at the malt miller, they let you order exact amounts in kits for you're own recipes

 

[Leon103]

Buying in bulk is cheap.

Hops are best stored in a freezer and will keep longer than a fridge.

Storing yeast in a fridge is fine, you may need a starter depending how old it is.

Storing grain is fine. Vacuum bags are good.

 

[Pfeffer]

What storage time are we talking about? I think that's the main factor when determining the correct container/storage conditions.

With regards to the yeast, if you work hygienically you can keep dried yeast left overs but the risk of pathogens is significantly increased.

 

[Leemond]

Well the malt (even in bulk) is generally used up within a couple of brews (so maybe a month or a little more) but as the hops came in good amounts, and as I have experimented with different hops, I have quite a lot of the first lot I bought left. Probably talking several months the ones in my freezer with the ones in the fridge a month or so. Too long?

Hopefully the yeast won't be as much of an issue after Christmas when I get some more kit and start brewing bigger brews so I'll need a full sachet but hops could still leave leftovers if I play around with multi-hop recipes.

 

[Hoppyland]

Whole malt keeps a lot longer than crushed malt. Temperature is very important. Even crushed malt will keep for at least a couple of months at British winter temperatures.
Hops will gradually deteriorate, but unopened vac-packs keep for months in a deep freeze without losing too much. Once you've opened them, use as quickly as possible - but in my experience you should still get good results even after a month or so.

 

[DoctorMick]

Hops will gradually deteriorate, but unopened vac-packs keep for months in a deep freeze without losing too much. Once you've opened them, use as quickly as possible - but in my experience you should still get good results even after a month or so.

I've found mine last much longer than that once opened. I've read you can keep them for up to a year after opening although I've never kept any that long, I've used some after 4 months or so and they were fine tho.

 

[ravey]

I was looking into storing hops yesterday and the issue seems to be keeping oxygen away from them. As stated above they keep well in the vacuum sealed bags they come in, so what you can do is vacuum seal them again and then store them in the feezer. Great if you have a vacuum sealer, otherwise check this technique out:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lh6lGj20Jw[/ame]

 

[Pfeffer]

That technique would help prevent things from going stale (help not stop), but is inadequate to prevent spoilage as there is still plenty of oxygen left.

If you are willing to invest, a cheap vacuum sealer or vacuum jars would fix all your challenges. Freeze the hop though.

 

[ravey]

What's a vacuum jar?

[Edit]never mind, I don't know why I posted that then immediately searched.

Do you have supporting evidence for your claim or is it just an educated guess? I found many examples of people using this technique to prolong foodstuffs and it uses water pressure to expel air so I need to see supporting evidence to debunk what others say works.

 

[ravey]

I've ordered a cheapo vacuum bag which will probably be too big for my freezer, but I can use a ziploc bag inside it, sucky sucky then seal the ziploc. Maybe double bag with ziplocs then freeze.

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