Proper Care of Your Spent Grain Bins – Brewers’ Best Practices & Helpful Hints

Make the right choice!

Our durable and lightweight MACX® spent grain bins with three runners are the top choice for many craft breweries in the U.S. and Canada. These bins are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) -- about the strongest, food-grade plastic bin you’re going to find. And this heavy duty plastic is purpose-built, with just enough “give” to help prevent bumps from machinery and tools from cracking the bins. Most importantly, they meet the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements for spent grain removal (21 CFR 117.95) since they are made of USDA/FDA-compliant materials. They can be easily cleaned before reuse to ensure FDA compliance.

They come with several other features that make them a best-seller for spent grain removal and storage:

• Optional lids to help keep the pests out (a FSMA requirement) and the smells tamped down (a real people pleaser), especially if your farmer is late for pickup. Importantly, they still allow the bins to be stacked for storage/transport.
• Replaceable runner options (3 short side recommended for best support) along the bottom of the bin to allow for easy transport by forklift or pallet jack (and dumping, too). No more back-breaking lugging.
• Multiple color options for official HACCP color-coding or simply common sense differentiation from trash bins and containers used for chemicals.
• UV protected for outdoor use without damage to plastic and fully recyclable.
• Nestable and stackable for convenient storage.

These bins are 48" x 40" x 31" H, making them large enough to get your job done, but light enough (92 lbs.) to be moved by hand when empty. A couple key specifications/recommendations have been established for these bins for optimal use:

• Weight capacity: 1,500 lbs.
• Volume capacity: 190 U.S. gallons.
• Maximum temperature range: -40°F to +140°F.

Best practices & helpful hints

Our brewery customers have been using these bins for years and have provided great feedback about how they get the longest life from them. Their helpful hints, coupled with our best practice recommendations will help you do the same! This info is especially helpful for breweries switching from smaller or non FDA-compliant containers to the MACX® bins.

Temperature

Spent grain can come out as hot as 170°F and the maximum recommended temps for our bins is 140°F. When possible, allow the grains to cool some before graining out. And, avoid placing bins outside in cold weather when the spent grain is still warm. Consistent use at above recommended temps and extreme temperature changes can result in small cracks causing the bins to leak.

Filling

Be mindful of the weight/volume. Brewers recommend only filling these bins 2/3 to 3/4 full (at least 8” from the top). 600-800 pounds of hydrated grain is a common weight range, with 400 pounds being a good working average. Most brewers use four bins for a 30 bbl batch. You’ll get more longevity out of them using these guidelines, and also prevent any fermentation from causing an overflow mess if they sit for a couple days. Plus, not filling to the top makes them easier to move.

Emptying

Avoid leaving the bins filled with spent grains for more than a week. Schedule pick up regularly.

Keep Bins Out of the Fields

More brewers are keeping their spent grain bins within their facilities to avoid the risk of contamination (livestock waste, etc.) and damage when they are carried to the farm for disposal. Have your farmer bring his/her own bins and dump your spent grains into those, rather than allowing your FDA-compliant bins to leave your facility. Your FDA audit will go much more smoothly when you don’t have to explain how you’re potentially bringing animal waste / bacteria (including salmonella and listeria) back into your food production facility.

Handling/Stacking

Avoid dropping heavy objects on the floor of the bin and pushing bins over onto hard surfaces. Patented interlocking corners allow safe stacking up to ten high. Stack on hard, level surfaces away from personnel and exercise caution when destacking bins stored outside as rainwater can accumulate on the top bin/lid. Avoid inter-stacking with different container types and recycle if there is damage to the posts, as the post design is critical to stability and weight transfer.

Cleaning

Use high pressure washers or hot water steam cleaners for cleaning, as opposed to harsh chemicals, for longevity of your bins.

We’re here to help

If you have any questions about choosing the right bin and runner type , care and use, or about FSMA requirements just let us know. Making sure you have the right tools and containers for the job is our priority – we want to help make your job easier!

Union Jack -- Your Partner in FSMA /HACCP Compliance
Keeping it Clean Since 2006