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Call and make an appointment. I wish I could:( I don't live near a center.
Has anyone ever used Gamma Vaults for food storage? Recently I purchased a couple of large gamma vaults just like the one in the link from Costco but paid only $37.99 WITHOUT the exterior business label "InCaseof" on it.
Mountaineer's Wife
Gamma vaults are fine, and maybe even good if your storage space is at a premium, but they are very, very expensive.
A comparable sized food grade bucket will cost about 8 bucks (if you are in Calgary, check Briden Solutions in Cochrane). You can add a gamma seal lid for another 7 bucks or so, but they are only really needed if you are opening and closing the bucket alot (ie. using whats inside). In that case, just buy a couple of gamma lids and rotate them to the buckets you are using.
Food grade buckets can be gotten for free from most safeway/sobey's bakeries (ask for custard or icing buckets around noon each day) but the only ones with good seals I've gotten were smaller 3 gallons ones (and they fir gamme lids). I had to buy my 6 gallon ones, and I got them at Briden's. If you buy buckets, buy a bucket opening tool, too, for $3. better yet, buy two of them.
If you want to buy wheat berries, Briden Solutions is good. About $20 for 50lb bag.
UFA Farm stores sell wheat as well, in 50lb bags
You can get them at nutter's but they cost a small fortune!
And if you want to buy in bulk, like "BULK" bulk by the truckload, you can buy seed or feed grain straight from sellers (check any farm town newspaper classifieds, like Olds or whatever, usually in the spring. You can also get peas, legumes, any type of wheat, barley oats, etc. If you ask for extra clean grain, they can usually get that for you, too)
As far as grain mills go, the Country Living mill seems to be the gold standard for hand powered ones, but you can get coronas, family living grain mills, and a host of others. Read the reviews, and get the best your budget allows. I picked my Country Living mill up from kijiji for about 1/3 retail price (they cost about $400 new!)
Gamma vaults are fine, and maybe even good if your storage space is at a premium, but they are very, very expensive.
A comparable sized food grade bucket will cost about 8 bucks (if you are in Calgary, check Briden Solutions in Cochrane). You can add a gamma seal lid for another 7 bucks or so, but they are only really needed if you are opening and closing the bucket alot (ie. using whats inside). In that case, just buy a couple of gamma lids and rotate them to the buckets you are using.
Food grade buckets can be gotten for free from most safeway/sobey's bakeries (ask for custard or icing buckets around noon each day) but the only ones with good seals I've gotten were smaller 3 gallons ones (and they fir gamme lids). I had to buy my 6 gallon ones, and I got them at Briden's. If you buy buckets, buy a bucket opening tool, too, for $3. better yet, buy two of them.
Thanks for the info!
If you want to buy wheat berries, Briden Solutions is good. About $20 for 50lb bag.
UFA Farm stores sell wheat as well, in 50lb bags
You can get them at nutter's but they cost a small fortune!And if you want to buy in bulk, like "BULK" bulk by the truckload, you can buy seed or feed grain straight from sellers (check any farm town newspaper classifieds, like Olds or whatever, usually in the spring. You can also get peas, legumes, any type of wheat, barley oats, etc. If you ask for extra clean grain, they can usually get that for you, too)
Confession time...I don't have a clue as to what wheat berries are. I did some digging on the internet just a minute ago and found-out that there is winter wheat and spring wheat. I like the idea of having a lower gluten level in winter wheat. Question: anyone know where winter wheat can be purchased and does anyone have any experience baking with it?
Mountaineer's Wife
Wheat berries are just what the wheat seeds are called. Plain ol' wheat. There is hard, soft, spring and winter, in combinations (ie. hard winter) and other varieties (like hard red winter, soft white spring or whatever).
Mainly for storage, hard wheat has a better shelf life. I stored 'spring red hard', just because that was what was available. Spring just refers to when the variety should be planted.
You should do some digging locally, call Briden Solutions if you are close, see what they have, or call the UFA Farm store nearest you (wherever that may be). There are seasonal changes in availability.
Generally hard wheat can be used for anything, but doesn't make as nice pastries as soft wheat. But it makes better bread.
Wheat berries are just what the wheat seeds are called. Plain ol' wheat. There is hard, soft, spring and winter, in combinations (ie. hard winter) and other varieties (like hard red winter, soft white spring or whatever).
Mainly for storage, hard wheat has a better shelf life. I stored 'spring red hard', just because that was what was available. Spring just refers to when the variety should be planted.
You should do some digging locally, call Briden Solutions if you are close, see what they have, or call the UFA Farm store nearest you (wherever that may be). There are seasonal changes in availability.
Generally hard wheat can be used for anything, but doesn't make as nice pastries as soft wheat. But it makes better bread.
Thank you very much for explaining this!
As long as it can make a good tasting bread...the rest is history! (Time hubby and I go on a diet anyways...adios pastries! 😆 )
Thanks for explaining that Salix.
Mountaineer's Wife