Storing Grain

[Mickeywheelspin]

Hi,

I'd like to start buying grain in bulk rather than getting the 3kg bags from the LHBS that I use at the moment - anyone got any idea how long you can expect it to last? I don't brew that often so it may take me a few months to get through a 25kg sack.

I was going to get something along these lines for storing it in the garage - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AF5GVHQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[clibit]

Depends whether it's whole malt or crushed malt. Get a mill and you can buy whole malt and it lasts for ages. Dark malts keep longer too.

 

[jeg3]

Depends whether it's whole malt or crushed malt. Get a mill and you can buy whole malt and it lasts for ages. Dark malts keep longer too.

If Father Christmas reads my letter and takes pity on me, that's my plan next year

 

[Mickeywheelspin]

If Father Christmas reads my letter and takes pity on me, that's my plan next year

Similar plan, hopefully a mill and storage barrel for Christmas.

 

[Mickeywheelspin]

Depends whether it's whole malt or crushed malt. Get a mill and you can buy whole malt and it lasts for ages. Dark malts keep longer too.

Thanks, any idea of roughly how long for whole grain? I've seen 12 months quoted but would worry that it wouldn't still be fresh after this time.

Is it worth packing it with anything to absorb moisture?

 

[Toffee]

I've been researching this, as I too have asked Santa for a mill! I think if stored right (airtight, dry, cool) whole grain should last for years. Possibly decades. Crushed - I think several months - again, if stored well.

 

[clibit]

I don't pack with anything that absorbs moisture. I keep it in plastic bags, as much air removed as possible, inside plastic crates. I get through base malt quite quickly so never have it more than about six months. Other grains I've used up to two years old but it's better fresher. It should be dated tbh.

 

[mike77]

Just used some crushed grain that i had stored at room temperature in tied plastic bags in a plastic box for over a year and I haven't noticed any issues.

 

[jeg3]

I would get through a 25 kilo sack of pale malt in 6-8 months, other malts longer, so they would need to be dated.

I do the same with hops in the freezer, EKG and Fuggles get rotated quite frequently, but the rest get dated and sealed air tight

 

[andyn2001]

I believe as 1 litre = 1 kg, you only need a 30l container, not a 60l container.

 

[Toffee]

Don't think so. I get around 5kg in a 10L bucket

 

[Toffee]

Oh that's crushed mind

 

[Cwrw666]

1L is 1Kg - of water. Grain is lighter than water as it's dried so contains quite a lot of air instead.

As to the OP - last lot of crushed grain I bought came with a best before date of over a year. As 25Kg is only about 5 brews it'll obviously not last that long. I store mine just in the bag it comes in, inside the house in the dry. Haven't noticed any deterioration after storing it like this.

 

[fourbob]

You could always go half measures - the Homebrew Company does a good price on 10kg of maris otter. I've happily worked my way through 10kg (crushed) plus some small quantities of other malts, just building on Clibit's simple AG method (I do 10 litre batches) in 2-3 months. I store the grain in plastic bags with as much air squeezed out as I can manage, in a crate in the garage, and haven't had any problems.

Because I haven't got a mill and have limited space I'm reluctant to buy grain 25kg at a time. But having enough stock to make a few brews gives me opportunity to experiment with different mixes of grain and hops.

 

[Spapro]

I am looking at buying a 25kg sack of crushed grain and noticed the malt miller will provide this in 5 x 5kg sealed plastic bags if you mention it on the order. I think this is a good route for storage, allows you to open smaller bags as you need the grain.

 

[clibit]

I am looking at buying a 25kg sack of crushed grain and noticed the malt miller will provide this in 5 x 5kg sealed plastic bags if you mention it on the order. I think this is a good route for storage, allows you to open smaller bags as you need the grain.

That's good to know. Good service from the MM.

 

[ManseMasher]

Hi,

I'd like to start buying grain in bulk rather than getting the 3kg bags from the LHBS that I use at the moment - anyone got any idea how long you can expect it to last? I don't brew that often so it may take me a few months to get through a 25kg sack.

I was going to get something along these lines for storing it in the garage - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AF5GVHQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Get yourself down to an Indian restaurant matey. Mango chutney comes in 40l barrels pretty much like the ones you are looking at, but they are free (they end up in the skip when empty). They take a bit of cleaning, but are good for all sorts of uses.

 

[baggybill]

I use two 50L ones (mango barrels) which I just stack.

Keep base malts in one and everything else in the other. All uncrushed and I just seal the bags back up with elastic bands. Stored in a dry warmish garage. Got mine here ready cleaned:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Plastic...041028?hash=item2a5aaef1c4:g:OFoAAMXQ74JTPpet

 

[Spapro]

That's good to know. Good service from the MM.

Just ordered a 25kg sack of Crisp Marris Otter from the Malt Miller - crushed and re-packed into 5 x 5kg bags. Was an extra £3 for the re-packing. Seems worth it to keep the grains fresh and easy to handle/store in various spots around my brewery (garage !).

Took the price for 25kg from £28 to £31.