Any issues with throwing used grain into the yard?

[mikeljcarr]

I've been just been just spreading my used grain out in the yard instead of filling up my trash can with it. Anyone see problems with doing this?

 

[duboman]

I've been just been just spreading my used grain out in the yard instead of filling up my trash can with it. Anyone see problems with doing this?

Not really a problem but if you have a garden you can also till it into the soil or add it to a compost bin

 

[hoghead]

Just make sure you spread it thin. If you leave a pile that's large enough to hold moisture it will begin to decompose and it smells like a dead body.

 

[neosapien]

Just make sure you spread it thin. If you leave a pile that's large enough to hold moisture it will begin to decompose and it smells like a dead body.

made this mistake. it really does smell like something died.

 

[Shooter]

Might attract some lovely birds who will eat it...or rats.

 

[KPaul]

I throw my used grain in the yard but it doesn't last long...we've got 5 chickens that love it. It's a big treat for them.

 

[Weizer]

Oh man, don't waste your spent grain! Your best option is to post in the free section of craigslist and say you have grain for free! I have an amazing setup with a farmer that feeds my grain to his chickens, and in return gives me farm fresh eggs. He bought 2 plastic totes and swaps them out each week after I'm done brewing. He loves it because he gets grain to cut his feed with every week, and I love it because the eggs are delicious!

You can also find recipes online for doggy treats or even homemade bread.

 

[mikescooling]

Might attract some lovely birds who will eat it...or rats.

No,, no it will not. I have big Chicago rats and nothing eats the spent grain.

 

[Fizzycist]

You can make some kick ass pizza dough with it, but it only takes a cup or two and it doesn't keep well so you can't make extra.

 

[i4ourgot]

I use it as mulch esp in the winter. I start to spread it around the plants or trees and if nothing eats it after a few rains its free mulch. If you don't live in the city throw it out side and let nature do its thing. Compost, chicken feed, pig feed, or mulch.

 

[andy6026]

wow, glad i found this thread. I did my first AG brew last weekend. My brewing helper asked, "where should I dump these spent grains?" I told him in the composter (meaning in the green bin that gets collected by the garbage men every week). He said 'I don't see a composter' as he dumped 15 lbs of it in the garden. My tenant that that tends to the gardens asked me what the heck it is. I guess I'll have to remove it before the smell arrives.

 

[kh54s10]

wow, glad i found this thread. I did my first AG brew last weekend. My brewing helper asked, "where should I dump these spent grains?" I told him in the composter (meaning in the green bin that gets collected by the garbage men every week). He said 'I don't see a composter' as he dumped 15 lbs of it in the garden. My tenant that that tends to the gardens asked me what the heck it is. I guess I'll have to remove it before the smell arrives.

Just spread it out, It shouldn't smell too much unless you have a big clump that rots.

I have a compost pile for yard waste and I just dump it in. I have not noticed any strong smell, but is at the back of my yard.

 

[JimRausch]

I've always dumped mine on my compost pile which is right outside my side door. Have never noticed any bad smell, and boy it sure makes good compost ( my pile seems to be mostly made up of spent grains and coffee grounds- worms love it)

 

[Shooter]

No,, no it will not. I have big Chicago rats and nothing eats the spent grain.

Hey, you might be right, but I've seen plenty of birds eating spent grain and I know rats will eat bird seed. I know this because we used to have a bird feeder on our patio and after the third time looking out and seeing a rat hanging off it chomping away on bird seed I took the thing down. So, as much as it seems like I was just pulling that statement out of somewhere unmentionable...

Maybe rats are more picky when it comes to spent grain. I mean, they are known to be real finicky when it comes to dining after all...

 

[unionrdr]

You can dry spent grains in the oven to make them storable. Here's a link to recipes for spent grains & drying them; http://brooklynbrewshop.com/themash/category/spentgrainchef/
I like the one for the pretzel buns myself. Make'em big enough for pit bbq'd burgers. Some of the recipes require grinding the dried grains into flour. One of those coffee/herb grinders will do it.