Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

Has anyone got, seen or heard of plans for rodent proof, insect proof grain bins? I'd like to move my grains out doors to make room in my basement. I'd like to find plans for or pre-built bins with a gravity flow spout. Something chipmonks and mice can't knaw through and that I don't have to constantly take off the lid (to keep the bugs out)
Since I'm not all that handy I'd consider pre-built if not really pricey.

I have some like this that I keep corn in for for squirrels.
http://www.bayteccontainers.com/plastic ... n-top.html
They sit outside under the deck. I haven't seen any rodent problems in 3 years.
Could be the bastard cat I have though.

If you can make it over to the IBU club meeting in DSM tonight one of the guys there has some of those very same containers he is selling for $10 a piece for the container and lid.

That is a steal of a deal. Do you have contact info for the guy selling the barrles? I am headed to Des Moines this weekend.

I use something similar for a food pack when I go to Boundary Waters. Keeps food dry and smells locked in to reduce the chance of a bear bothering you. Attached a picture of my cousin modeling my barrel. Something like that should keep your grain safe.

I use 5 gallon buckets from theisen's. I switched to this after losing 150 pounds of grain to bugs in my basement. I keep them stacked in the garage, but I don't see any reason you could not keep them outside. The lids seal nice and tight. No critters are getting in there. And they are cheap.

I believe he only had 6 or 7 of them Matt, but will check to see if he has access to more.

brownbeard wrote:I use 5 gallon buckets from theisen's. I switched to this after losing 150 pounds of grain to bugs in my basement. I keep them stacked in the garage, but I don't see any reason you could not keep them outside. The lids seal nice and tight. No critters are getting in there. And they are cheap.

I have no clue what Theisen's charges for buckets, but my wife bought me some from usplastics.com. They are nice buckets with an airtight lid.

kjball wrote:

brownbeard wrote:I use 5 gallon buckets from theisen's. I switched to this after losing 150 pounds of grain to bugs in my basement. I keep them stacked in the garage, but I don't see any reason you could not keep them outside. The lids seal nice and tight. No critters are getting in there. And they are cheap.

I have no clue what Theisen's charges for buckets, but my wife bought me some from usplastics.com. They are nice buckets with an airtight lid.

I think the bucket with a lid is in the $7 range.

How many buckets for a sack? I am guessing two buckets for one 50# sack. I use a big plastic box now that has worked so far. Holds about 4 sacks of grain but is really heavy to slide around. Mice have been in the brewery before but not in my grain. I think the buckets would be safer and more convenient to move around. May have to pick up a few here and there.

I also use the buckets. Love em. 2 per 50#

Home Depot has 5gal plastic buckets with tight fitting lids, too. I have a couple that I use for other things (not being an all grain brewer). They are sturdy, with metal wire handles, and the snap-on lids fit really tight.

Unfortunately those were the only one's he had and apparently doesn't have access to anymore at this time.

No worries, I think the 5 gallon buckets will work better for me anyway.

Homebrew Finds has these listed today: http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2011/11/gr ... -time.html

You can also get these from US Plastics for slightly less ($20.80 + $4.99 shipping). Note that they are a bulky item so for some reason ordering 2 at a time makes shipping a bit more expensive. Might work out if you are ordering other items with them though. I use these for my 55# grain bags.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.a ... rchresults

I use the following for my specialty grains:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.a ... &catid=626

Here's another that I use for up to around 25#.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.a ... &catid=626

On Tuesday 01 November 2011 9:56:49 am you wrote:

Homebrew Finds has these listed today:
http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2011/11/gr ... -ii-all-ti
me.html

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Jim Fuller

Life is good, when the beer is too...

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