Storing uncrushed grain.

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Whats the best way to do this? I’ve been eyeing up these, decent price:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/331830851259

Would 60L be big enough to hold 25kg of base malt plus some bits and pieces of speciality malts? I read that the 30L would hold about 15kg of birdseed so I assume it would be about the same for grain so 60L would hold 30kg?

Leon103 · Aug 14, 2018

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

-Bezza- · Aug 14, 2018

From the description: It can store 60+ litres of liquid when full and approximately 30kg - 32kg of dry food(depenendant on the density).

Seems about right. I have a plastic crate that's (at a guess) 50cm long x 30cm x 30cm, so roughly 45l and that holds around 20kg of grain at a squeeze.

If you're storing the grain loose, then you'll get a bit more in compared to it being bagged.

Sadfield · Aug 14, 2018

Sure is, I've got one. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Curry Houses yet, as they were often a sauce (sic) of these, being used for industrial quantities of mango chutney/Lime pickle. Local recycling companies or any manufacturers that handle chemicals will probably have a few knocking about.

Oneflewover · Aug 14, 2018

I'm looking for something to store grain in too, thanks for this. Found the blue containers a bit cheaper here
https://www.bluestarpackaging.co.uk...c-storage-drum-barrel-keg-with-lid-2298-p.asp

Zephyr259 · Aug 14, 2018

That's what I use, grain is just short of 2L per kg so 60L comfortably holds a 25kg sack. I have my bags in a 30L drum and 7.5 kg of Munich is half filling a 2nd 30L. I've started using 10L white foodsafe plastic buckets off amazon and ordering 5kg of malts like vienna and abbey, munich too once it'll fit.

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Oneflewover said:
I'm looking for something to store grain in too, thanks for this. Found the blue containers a bit cheaper here
https://www.bluestarpackaging.co.uk...c-storage-drum-barrel-keg-with-lid-2298-p.asp

Price on the page is excl VAT, with postage costs as well it’s £27 for me, so theebay one is a couple of quid cheaper.

Oneflewover · Aug 14, 2018

MickDundee said:
Price on the page is excl VAT, with postage costs as well it’s £27 for me, so theebay one is a couple of quid cheaper.

Sorry didn't notice it was ex vat....
Think I'll keep looking, 20+ squid for something to store grain in is something I'm not thrilled about. But then I am as tight as a crabs xxxx

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Oneflewover said:
Sorry didn't notice it was ex vat....
Think I'll keep looking, 20+ squid for something to store grain in is something I'm not thrilled about. But then I am as tight as a crabs xxxx

Same here, but it’s all birthday money at the moment so I’m a bit more relaxed

xozzx · Aug 14, 2018

I use really usefull boxes for most of my grains. They are fairly expensive but really good quality and stack easily. A 35L and 9L (so 44L) will hold a 25kg bag uncrushed grain. I have a few 64L boxes but having the smaller boxes makes moving them around much easier. I also have a few 1.6L boxes for other grains.

Dutto · Aug 14, 2018

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:

xozzx · Aug 14, 2018

I would check any container you use is foodsafe, might not be such an issue if you plan to put the actual sack into the container, I emtpty the grain into my boxes.

Leon103 · Aug 14, 2018

Sadfield said:
Sure is, I've got one. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Curry Houses yet, as they were often a sauce (sic) of these, being used for industrial quantities of mango chutney/Lime pickle. Local recycling companies or any manufacturers that handle chemicals will probably have a few knocking about.

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

Leon103 · Aug 14, 2018

Dutto said:
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:

Bigger sack on the bottom, smaller packs on top. Simple. Don't really see it an issue

GerritT · Aug 14, 2018

No problems here.

Zephyr259 · Aug 14, 2018

Something that surprised me with the blue drums is how well they insulate. Our upstairs is an old loft conversion with black slate tiling and no insulation so it's an oven when sunny. When I opened the drum of grain the air inside it was still really cool.

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Leon103 said:
Bigger sack on the bottom, smaller packs on top. Simple. Don't really see it an issue

This was my plan. We have some good “food-saver” clips in the kitchen which are pretty big so I shouldn’t have any accidental mixes.

Dutto · Aug 14, 2018

Leon103 said:
Bigger sack on the bottom, smaller packs on top. Simple. Don't really see it an issue

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:

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Dutto said:
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:

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!

MickDundee · Aug 14, 2018

Ordered one of the 60L ones - I got an eBay alert saying the seller only had 7 left so I’ve gone for it. Airtight, food safe and will fit nicely in my shed.

I could have got one without handles for £19.99 but thought handles would be better.

Storing uncrushed grain.

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