Storing uncrushed grain.

[-Bezza-]

I don't advise the circular drums because most of us have a "mix and match" approach to grain with many varieties as well as a large quantity of base malt.

Malts such as Crystal, Caramel, Chocolate etc can be bought in quantities as low as 500g and they need to be accessible as well as being kept in the same conditions as the base malt.

Because of this, I much prefer a rectangular container that is black/grey (so that there is no sunlight), can be sealed (to prevent access of insects and moisture), is stackable (to cut down on floor space) and can therefore be smaller and cheaper than the ones proposed so far.

I also put an unscented dehumidifier into each storage bin to keep the moisture down, even if the contents haven't been opened. Here's a bin from Argos that may be suitable ...

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7259380

Enjoy. :thumb:

That seems excessively thorough.

Do you iron your underwear by any chance?

 

[Dutto]

No different to having smaller stacked boxes though - if you want the box on the bottom you’ll have to remove the ones stacked on top!

The one at the bottom always contains the 5kg Base Malt bags and in the one at the top the smaller bags are stacked on top of each other!

The last brew only used two different malts and both of them were in the top box because the Maris Otter bag had already been opened for another brew! :thumb:

NB
Poor weighing for the previous brew was why the EPA had 3.4kg of Maris Otter instead of the original 3.0kg!

 

[Dutto]

That seems excessively thorough.

Do you iron your underwear by any chance?

Sorry, but I'm married. What's an "iron"?

 

[Leon103]

Precisely my point.

You have to move all of the smaller sacks from the top before you can then get to any of the bigger ones at the bottom! :thumb:

Not really an issue for me.
My largest sack is 25kg of pale, that sits on the bottom. Next one is 5kg of Vienna and perhaps a pilsner. After that is my 1kg and 500g bags. They go in clear bags with a label.
Pale malt goes into 90% of my brews, and always alongside something from the smaller amounts so I have to move them to weigh out the grain. I fill my drum with all my kit for a brew day so it all comes out, and goes back in the same order.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
I use these, but you need 2 to hold a 25kg sack.
https://buybuckets.co.uk/product/green-25l-un-container-lid-inc-rubber-fitting-metal-band/

 

[Sadfield]

I have one from a local curry hous3 that did house mango chutney but they are tiny compared to my 120l blue bin.

Would imagine most containers are tiny compared to a 120L one.[emoji23]

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

 

[MyQul]

I have one of those 60L blue bins. You can easily fit a 25kg sack in their but mot really any specialty malts with the whole 25kg in there

 

[mathorp]

The 60L blue bins look good because they seal properly - that is important to me to keep pests out and to reduce exposure to fresh air. They also protect the grain from light if that concerns you. Mine is stored in a garage without windows.

I split my 25kg sacks of grain into 4 or 5 smaller containers so that they are a bit easier on the back. I use some 10L ones, with a gasket seal in the lid, that I bought in Asia where they are used to store rice. Similar things are available here, but the prices are scary.

Really Useful Products make good boxes to hold tools, etc., but I don’t think any of them have a seal. Try Solent Plastics: https://www.solentplastics.co.uk/airtight-plastic-storage-boxes-and-trunks/

 

[MickDundee]

It came! I’m waiting until the credit card cut off before I actually buy any grain, but my mill arrived yesterday so I’m all set!

 

[Oneflewover]

View attachment 14979

It came! I’m waiting until the credit card cut off before I actually buy any grain, but my mill arrived yesterday so I’m all set!

Happy with it?

 

[MickDundee]

Happy with it?

Yeah, it’s smaller than I expected, but seems perfect for what I want it for!

 

[Oneflewover]

Hmmmm, decisions decisions....

 

[Drunkula]

Those vacuum bags for underbed use are pretty good. You can get a massive one and semi-massive one for £2.50 from Home Bargains.

 

[Leon103]

Those vacuum bags for underbed use are pretty good. You can get a massive one and semi-massive one for £2.50 from Home Bargains.

That's what I tend to use. Every couple of months I go in the tub and make sure they are still airtight

 

[Dutto]

It came! I’m waiting until the credit card cut off before I actually buy any grain, but my mill arrived yesterday so I’m all set!

Oh how I relate to that situation! :thumb:

It helps if there are a few big "non brewing" items that I can read out to SWMBO to explain why it's so big ... :UKflag:

... before starting again the next months juggling! abigt

 

[hichaechoc]

I used my old plastic fermenter and treated myself to a new one. I also weigh out the grain into 4kg bags before storing. That way any issues may be limited to only the one bag. Anyone had a problem with insect infestation during this hot summer?

 

[Dutto]

Not me - thankfully! :thumb:

I think a lot of this is down to sheer luck, but I also put an unscented dehumidifier in my two grain boxes (and the old FV that I keep my Mill in) to keep everything as dry as possible.

"Even insects can't live without some moisture!" is my theory!

 

[MyQul]

I used my old plastic fermenter and treated myself to a new one. I also weigh out the grain into 4kg bags before storing. That way any issues may be limited to only the one bag. Anyone had a problem with insect infestation during this hot summer?

Me. I think you've read my weevil thread. I killed them by putting the bags of grain in the freezer

 

[BeerCat]

I am sure mine is 120l and was about £13 on eBay. Loads of people to me are selling them for about £10 these days. I currently have about 40kg of malt, a sleeping bag, a load of equipment, 3 bottles boxes and still room for more

Did you collect it as i cant find any as cheap on there?

 

[Leon103]

Did you collect it as i cant find any as cheap on there?

No delivered. It was about 3 years ago. I live in a rural area and lots of farmers and selling these after using them for animal feed etc. Can pick them up about a tenner