Storing Bulk Grain

Just bought my first 50# sack of 2-Row which is unfortunately still in my boiler room untouched.  I plan to open it this week to make a Steam Beer.  Can you guys recommend a good sealing vessel?  What size is optimal?  I looked at Big Lots and all of their containers were not air tight.  Thanks!

Dave

I use the Gamma Vittles Vaults
http://www.petco.com/product/5867/Gamma-Vittles-Vault.aspx?CoreCat=MM_DogSupplies_FoodStorage

You can fit a bag of grain in this size and they are airtight.

A year ago I bought a 50lb Vittles Vault.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DJOOI/ref=oh_o00_s01_i00_details
It holds a 55# sack of malt and I’ve had no problems with it.

I use Vittle Vaults

Sweet guys!  I have a Petco right around the corner.  Will pick one up today.  Gotta love the forum…

If you’ll wait until right after Christmas, major stores like Target will have great sales on storage bins. It’s always when I buy stuff like this. Many times it’s 1/2 off.

Good point, Bo.  I’ll put a reminder in to check that out after the holidays so I can buy more in bulk!

I ordered one from Amazon for $31.  It should be here next week and I really want to brew this week so had to buy one…

I should clarify that I was referring to Rubbermaid or similar type bins. I’m not sure about the Vittles bins, but I do know that I once looked at them and the online price was pretty good with the free shipping they offered at the time.

I store my uncrushed grain in a rubbermaid and have yet to find a mouse in the mix.
That said, unless you are in an extreme environment, would not the grain keep
quite a long time in a plain ole inexpensive tote…I suppose grain weevils would
be a deterrant to the tote method but until I get that problem I am staying the course.

I just picked up four of these. Great price!  These bins are what Midwest Supplies uses in its grain room.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/housewares/household-goods/storage-containers/suncast-storage-trends-stacking-bin

Some of the guys in my brew club actually use the vittles vault to ferment in. they say the largest size one is great for 5 gallon batches as it has lots of headroom. You can drill the lid for an airlock but it screws on and is airtight unlike a bucket.

I stored mine in a couple of lowes plastic 5 gallon buckets with lids. $5 each.

Home Depot buckets for me. And the lids they sell have rubber gaskets. 2 buckets will hold one sack of grain. Cheap and stackable.

No problems with it being airtight?  I like economical…

I put opened bags into Rubbermaid storage bins.  I’ve had grain keep in good condition for a couple years like that.

I use these, except I get them at Home Depot, for about a buck cheaper.
I also put the grain into Ziplock XXL storage bags, inside the bins.
Seems to work very well & a full bag fits, perfectly.

I use these water-tight totes from the Container Store.  I picked a size that will fit and stack well on my shelves so I need two to hold a sack of grain (I can check the size if anyone really cares), but I’m happy with that setup.  When I’ve used half a bag it frees up a tote for the next sack.  I have some other ones from the same place to store smaller bags of specialty malt.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/totes?productId=10026213&N=71235

I use the Rubbermaid type containers.  Inside of them, I keep the grain in plastic bags with as much air as possible squeezed out and twistie-tied.

+1

In addition I store my grain in the cellar where it’s cool and dark.

I use the large rubbermaid bins. Fits more than a 50 lb sack of grain and fits on the shelves in the basement. I still have some vienna malt that is now 3 years old in one of the bins.