Colds storage of grains?

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I think I read that I cannot store buckets of grain outdoors (New England) because of the cold temperatures. The grains have some level of moisture content and this can lead to problems. Is this so?

I've used buckets with mylar bags, DE and oxygen absorbers. I'm running out of space and would like to store these buckets in the outdoor shed. Can I do this without compromising my wheat, oats, corn, soybeans, pinto beans, kidney beans, rice, lentils, dried peas?

TIA, Brian

-- Brian Tanguay (btanguay@earthlink.net), November 24, 1999

Answers

Brian,

Farmers have stored grain in unheated granaries for generations. I believe that any of those dry grains can easily be stored outdoors. Protect them from the sunlight and rodents. Otherwise, I don't see why you should have any problems.

regards,

gene

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), November 24, 1999.


DE shouldn't be stored with oxy abosorders since the DE cancels out the effect (indirectly). Oxy absorbers actually need *some* moisture to do their job.

Us one or the other, but not both.

Also, don't use Oxy absorbers with your sugar or you will make rock candy.

Enormous

-- enormous (gg@ggg.com), November 24, 1999.


ah, enormous, DE is not the same as a desicant (silica gel).

It kills off creepy crawly things that eat it. Wrong product, right advice. Don't use O2 absorbers and desicants.

I have grain, rice, beans, etc. all stored in plastic buckets, all in a shed where it hard freezes over winter. The freezeing kills off the bugs. Don't worry about condensation of the relatively low moisture levels causing mold.

-- go, (just@do.it), November 25, 1999.


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