bulk grain cracked vs whole

[jaymack]

So thanks to a nice tax return I want to stock up on some supplies. I want to get some bulk 2-row but don't have a grain mill. As I understand it, uncracked grain kept sealed and cool can last for at least 4 or 5 months if needed.

Questions:
(1) Using a large, sealed Rubbermaid container, how long / fresh will the grain stay fresh if I get it all cracked and store it?

(2) Other than getting my hands on a grain mill to crack the grain as needed, will the rolling-pin method be effecient enough or is there other alternatives?

Cheers,
Jay

[rudolf]

I don't have any links to back this up, but I've always heard that cracked grains need to be used quickly - within a few days or maybe a couple weeks.

I think you'd go insane trying to crush with a rolling pin. A food processor is just going to pulverize some grains to flour & leave others whole. I'd look for a corona style grain mill (like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/CORONA-WHEAT-GRAIN- ... 1|294%3A50)
-- I used one like that for years & it worked just fine. I think I paid around $30, including shipping, from Ebay.

-rudy

[inertiaboy]

An easier link to click to see the grain mill.

[Gedge]

I have heard the same about cracked needing to be used quickly.

I use a corona-style mill as well. It's a chore, but it gets the job done. Hoping to get it hooked up to a pulley and motor at some point.

[grub]

uncracked grain lasts for a long time. store it cool and dry, sealed is optional really. i've used year old uncracked grain and it was still nice and crunchy so i used it.

cracked i've heard you can get as much as 6 months out of if you keep it sealed, but sooner is probably better.

i love my barley crusher. even with shipping, exchange (which was around 40% when i bought), and duty it was still the cheapest mill around - and it kicks serious ass. i don't know why i waited so long to upgrade from our old corona mill (which are complete shit IMHO). anytime someone is considering getting by with a corona, i always suggest waiting and saving a little longer for a proper roller mill. the cost savings of buying bulk grain quickly makes a mill pay for itself.

[The_Jester]

Based on the discussion here, I've decided to stop buying pre-crushed malt. Grub - you've sold me on the barley crusher. I can't seem to find one locally, so my solution is to stop at La Cachette du Bootlegger on my way to Mondial. It's just off the 20, and I'm told that they have "a few" in stock. I figger I'll get the 7 pound model, and enlarge the hopper myself if I feel the need. I also figger this must be a little cheaper than paying exchange and shipping. Next step is to see if United Canadian Malt sells to people who walk in off of the street.

[grub]

Grub - you've sold me on the barley crusher. I can't seem to find one locally, so my solution is to stop at La Cachette du Bootlegger on my way to Mondial. It's just off the 20, and I'm told that they have "a few" in stock. I figger I'll get the 7 pound model, and enlarge the hopper myself if I feel the need. I also figger this must be a little cheaper than paying exchange and shipping. Next step is to see if United Canadian Malt sells to people who walk in off of the street.

glad to hear it, and betting you'll pay less than i did. i too went with the 7lb hopper. i almost never brew anything < 7#, and rarely under 15#, so i knew i'd always be manually filling while it runs. really no big deal, and i've never bothered trying to upgrade it.

and motorize that sucker, either with a drill or motor. so much better than cranking manually.

[Derek]

Grain was once harvested once a year... so uncracked, it'll certainly last at least a year!

I've double zipped-locked specialty grains, put them in the freezer & used them a year later (cracked none-the-less). They're used in a smaller quantity though...