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Author Topic: Grain Dust/ Sampling  (Read 2697 times)

Offline flbrewer

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Grain Dust/ Sampling
« on: February 04, 2015, 04:11:28 pm »
At least initially I am hand grinding my grain, so perhaps this doesn't apply to my situation. Either way, is there any issues with breathing in grain dust? I thought I read something about this in the past.

Secondly, can/ should I chew on the raw grain to sample it.

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2015, 04:13:56 pm »
At least initially I am hand grinding my grain, so perhaps this doesn't apply to my situation. Either way, is there any issues with breathing in grain dust? I thought I read something about this in the past.

Secondly, can/ should I chew on the raw grain to sample it.

Yes you can chew the grain. Some recommend doing that to get an idea of the tastes.

As far as dust, in big breweries they use face masks in dusty areas, if you don't get much dust like I do, I don't bother.
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Offline kramerog

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2015, 04:58:33 pm »
I believe the grain dust would be considered a nuisance dust unless you are pulverising your grains.

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2015, 05:39:52 pm »
I believe the hazard is simply breathing particulates, not that there is something inherently harmful about it. So it's no different than any other dust. Small amounts are fine.
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Offline Frankenbrew

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2015, 06:03:31 pm »
This is somewhat beside the topic, but you shouldn't crush grain in the same place in which you brew/ferment. It invites lacto bacteria which can infect your beer. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case you didn't know.
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Offline JT

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2015, 06:08:46 pm »
I crush by my brew kettle, mash tun and HLT regularly.  I do keep the fermenter and any cold side gear away though. 

Offline flbrewer

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2015, 06:22:22 pm »
I crush by my brew kettle, mash tun and HLT regularly.  I do keep the fermenter and any cold side gear away though.

What do you mean?

Offline flbrewer

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2015, 06:22:51 pm »
This is somewhat beside the topic, but you shouldn't crush grain in the same place in which you brew/ferment. It invites lacto bacteria which can infect your beer. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case you didn't know.

How far are we talking? I intended on doing everything in the garage.

Offline JT

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2015, 06:30:21 pm »
I crush by my brew kettle, mash tun and HLT regularly.  I do keep the fermenter and any cold side gear away though.

What do you mean?
I mean I don't think it is a big deal to crush grain around any of your hot side gear.  I wouldn't keep an open fermenter sitting right by by grain mill though, unless you planned to clean it and sanitize it after crushing your your grain. 

Offline flbrewer

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2015, 06:32:54 pm »
Makes sense...I'll keep the Speidel's inside. I'm curious if the bacteria lingers in the air for long? For instance, if I crush at 8 AM, go through the motions and end up pouring the beer into the fermenter at 11 in the same area would it potentially be exposed by airborne stuff?


Offline JT

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2015, 07:10:28 pm »
There's always stuff floating around, but no I wouldn't worry about that at all. 

Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2015, 06:37:35 am »
There's always stuff floating around, but no I wouldn't worry about that at all.

+1

I do turn on my overhead dust collector while I'm milling the grain and leave it on for 10 minutes of so after I'm done.  I only do this to keep the amount of dust on stuff in my woodworking/brewing room to a minimum though.

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Offline narcout

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2015, 10:04:16 am »
Either way, is there any issues with breathing in grain dust? I thought I read something about this in the past.

You don't want to breathe in grain dust.  Get some disposable masks or tie a bandana over your mouth and nose.
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2015, 12:27:04 pm »
Either way, is there any issues with breathing in grain dust? I thought I read something about this in the past.

You don't want to breathe in grain dust.  Get some disposable masks or tie a bandana over your mouth and nose.

Any specific reasons why a small amount of grain dust would be an issue? 

We aren't talking about that much particulate matter while milling 10 or 15 lbs of grain.  If your immune system is functional and you don't have any major respiratory issues I wouldn't think there would be any risks.   I admit I grew up on a grain and livestock farm back when safety issues may not have been the most pondered things but I've spent too many days to count in dusty grain bins with no known side effects other than filling a number of hankies with black phlegm. 

Not looking for an argument but I really would like to know what else I did to myself while growing up.  Something else to add to the list perhaps.  8^/

Paul
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Offline flbrewer

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Re: Grain Dust/ Sampling
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2015, 12:28:49 pm »
^+1 to that. In addition, w the BC and a bucket underneath it I don't see much dust being a problem.