how long can you keep stuff?

[b3s]

i know that yeast shouldn't be kept around for extended periods of time, but how long can you keep extracts, grains, yeast hulls, hops, and other adjuncts (like irish moss and salts) around? should this stuff (aside form yeast) be kept in the freezer?

i ask because, well, i'd rather just buy a bunch of stuff and then decide what i'm going to brew based on what i've got instead of taking the 40 minute drive to the homebrew store.

tia.

[Tweek]

i know that yeast shouldn't be kept around for extended periods of time, but how long can you keep extracts, grains, yeast hulls, hops, and other adjuncts (like irish moss and salts) around? should this stuff (aside form yeast) be kept in the freezer?

Extracts- long time keep it out of the light and in an airtight container. This is basically sugar so the shelf life is huge.

grains- hmm these go stale so for sure once they have been milled you want ot brew with them within a few days. This may be more for all grain where you need to convert the sugars though. In extract brewing I would imagine you could push the grain out a bit, I had used month old grain in some of my extract brews and it turned out fine. Unmilled though you can keep it dry dark and sealed from air for a while not sure how long but I woud imagine at least a month properly sealed.

yeast hulls/irish moss/salts- forever, well maybe not forever but a long fricken time seal em up in a freezer ziplock and put em in the freezer they will last a long time. Actually come to think of it I am not sure about the hulls I dont keep those on hand I have only needed to use them once.

Hops- depends on how fresh they were to begin with. You can seal these up good and make sure there is no air in them and store them in a freezer for several months

[YamahaXS]

the corollary to this question is how much stuff will your wife let you keep in the freezer? :D

I don't really know... your brewstore might be helpfup. also, they might be willing to ship you stuff.

[b3s]

as i do 80% of the cooking i have claimed the kitchen and it's contents in the name of the king...and me! ;)

seriously, as long as it's not a 50# bag of malt i can get away with a lot.