 STORING YOUR WHEAT AND GRAINS
Wheat is referred to as the STAFF OF LIFE because it is the most widely grown and consumed grain in the world. Since we can use wheat in so many forms it is one of the basic foods to store. In fact, wheat can sustain an adult for a year without any other food. (water would also be needed to). We are in the middle of doing our yearly grain order and I know many of you would like some storage tips for your new grain, so I have decided to focus this post on storing the wheat and grains. Many years ago, Bob Zabriskie outlined the value of wheat storage in his timely publication, A Family Storage Plan. His storage plan suggested how much whole wheat to purchase and gave guidelines for stroing wheat that are still valid today. Listed below are the suggested criteria for treating and preserving bulk whole wheat. - Variety
- Protein content
- Moisture content
- Quantity
- Containers
- Storage Techniques
For the next couple of posts I will go over each of these catagories with some tips and suggestions. Variety--We bring in Hard Red Spring Wheat and Hard White Spring Wheat (also known as Montana White). These grains are grown on Organic farms in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Canada grows the best wheat in the world so these grains make excellent bread. Always get only #1 Cleaned Edible Wheat for human consumption. The quality of your results in cooking, baking and the full health benefits that whole wheat offers depends on your choice of grain. Protein Content--The protein content should be 13% or higher. There are varieties of wheat available to the consumer with as much as 18% protein. Our red wheat is rated at 15%. Moisture Content--The moisture content should not exceed 10% in the grain. This will inhibit microbial infiltration and insect infestation. Qualtity--You determine the quantity for 1 year for just bread alone by the number of loaves consumed by your family for one week. Multiply that by 52 weeks in a year. You will need that many pounds of wheat for a years worth of bread alone. Containers for Storing Whole Wheat--Use crushproof, waterproof and moiture-proof containers. All food storage products must be protected to prevent infiltration, infestation, and contamaination. The better a container meets these requirements, the better condition stored wheat will be in when needed. Store wheat in ROUND cans. When storing wheat in square cans, allow several inches open space on all sides of the cans to allow air to circulate more freely. A round 5 gallon metal bucket with an enamel coated interior, with an airtight lid and waterproof seal is the best option for storing bulk whole wheat. These are generally available from restaurant suppliers, barrel, container or used-container dealers. This type of container will hold approximately 35 pounds of wheat and is convenient for both transporting and long-term storage purposes. These containers will stack safely, allow better ventilation, protect the contents and require less storage space. A 5 Gallon polyethylene bucket with a tight-fitting lid and waterproof seal, is a good alternate to a metal can. These are available at the same businesses the metal cans are found. The Dairy Queens, Burger Kings, and Macdonald-type fast food places usually have ones that want to get rid of but you must make certain that the containers were for food and that they are food-safe. One of our customers has suggested that plastic containers with the triangle and number 2 may be the best plastics in which to store grain. You can also use a heavy-duty food-grade, sealable plastic liner in any container for bulk wheat. One of customers used an old chest type freezer that no longer worked as the container. Lined with the food grade polyethylene liner she dumped her sacks of wheat into the freezer and closed the lid. When she wished to use the wheat she would just scoop out a bowl of it and take it back to her kitchen. This suggestion could also be used with the unopened sacks to protect them from contaminates, infestation and moisture. Some of our customers have access to a canning machine that will can #10 cans. The wheat placed in this type of container will keep indefinitly if stored in a cool, dry place. Temperature Range--The ideal temperature range for storing bulk wheat it 45°F. to 65°F. Edible and sproutable wheat was discovered in the pyramids after centuries of storage. Wheat will keep indefinitely when stored properly. However, since ideal storage conditions are difficult to maintain, always rotate stored wheat. Use the older wheat first and replace it annually with new wheat, when the prices are the lowest (during our wholesale order). Moisture Protection--Always store wheat in a dry environment. Bulk wheat must be kept dry to prevent contamination. Moisture provides an environment for molds, bacteria and a multitude of bugs to grow. Wheat draws moisture, so take precautions to protect the stored wheat form exposure to high humidity and high temperatures. Use boards or wooden platforms under metal cans to prevent the bottom of the cans from touching or being in direct contact with concrete, earth or any moisture-conducting surface. The bulk wheat draws moisture so it must be isolated by the wood and air buffer to prevent spoiling.  Ventilation--Leave air space around stored wheat containers. The ambient air provides a buffer zone for the store wheat as it gains and loses heat. Again if you are using square containers you need leave space between the stack of the containers for athe air to circulate and again remember to use boards or platforms under all storage containers, especially metal cans to prevent the bottoms from rusting.
Light--Avoid storing wheat in a bright light. Some light, however, will discourage mold from growing in small containers. Our next post will discuss how to treat or fumigate the grains so nothing could survive in the containers other that the life-giving grains. Determining the volume of the containers needed to store oats and wheat, our customer had found that Oats has a density of about 1 gram per cubic centimeter while wheat has a density of 60 pounds per bushel or 0.76Kg/Litre if the math is correct. So a 10Kg bag of Oats will fit in a 2.5 Imperial Gallon or 11.4L pail while the 10Kg bag of Wheat should fit in a 2.9 Imperial Gallon or 13L pail. We appreciate this imput as we get asked this often about how many containers needed for one sack of wheat. |
STORING YOUR WHEAT AND GRAINS
can. These are available at the same businesses the metal cans are found. The Dairy Queens, Burger Kings, and Macdonald-type fast food places usually have ones that want to get rid of but you must make certain that the containers were for food and that they are food-safe. One of our customers has suggested that plastic containers with the triangle and number 2 may be the best plastics in which to store grain. 
Ventilation--Leave air space around stored wheat containers. The ambient air provides a buffer zone for the store wheat as it gains and loses heat. Again if you are using square containers you need leave space between the stack of the containers for athe air to circulate and again remember to use boards or platforms under all storage containers, especially metal cans to prevent the bottoms from rusting.
