How To Avoid Condensation in Your Grain Bins

Although many people attribute the warmth of the summer to condensation buildup, it is actually the moisture of the winter and fall that builds up and forms when it comes into contact with the warmth of the bin wall during the warmer months. When getting ready for grain harvest, paying attention to the moisture content is one of the most important components in order to avoid insects and spoilage. To help you avoid wasted money, this article will review how to avoid condensation in your grain bins.

Record Grain Moisture Data

It is best practice to record the level of moisture at least once every two weeks. The reason why you should do this so often is that mold and insects typically start to take over warm grain in three to four weeks. With this method, you can stay ahead of the game. Over time, the data will add up, so you have a personalized record of when the moisture levels dip and rise throughout the year. This can give you a better idea of when you need to keep a closer eye on the grain and when to use strategies you need to keep the grain dry.

Get the Temperature Just Right

While you don’t want to keep your bins too warm to avoid insect infestations and mold growth, you don’t want to keep your bins too cold either. If your bins are too cold, condensation will start to form in the warmer months. While you should adjust the internal temperature throughout the seasons, the ideal temperature of the bin is around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because it is just warm enough to prevent the grain from getting too cold but just cold enough to stop insects from wanting to settle down, as they typically thrive at around 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Utilize Ventilation

Ventilation is often the best way to get the grain aerated and at a similar temperature throughout the bin. If the top of the grain bin starts to collect heat and the top layer of the grain becomes too hot, this becomes prime territory for bug infestations. You can use fans and ventilation on cooler summer mornings for colder but also drier air. However, you want to be wary when using ventilation, as the outside air can cause moisture to build up throughout the grain as well. To avoid this, continue to monitor the moisture content as often as possible.

Learning how to avoid condensation in your grain bins is critical to keeping your harvest from spoiling and losing a lot of money. But if you monitor the temperate and moisture levels often, you can ensure that your harvest will stay fresh.