How to Know When It’s Time to Run Grain Bin Fans

Grain bins help to facilitate proper storage of grain while awaiting transport. However, simply having a grain bin may not be enough to protect your grain from damage. Grain bin accessories such as grain bin fans, can help to optimize your grain storage solution and ensure that your grain is safe and in optimal condition. Yet, knowing when it’s time to use a grain bin fan can sometimes feel like a tough call.

At Avonlea Farm Sales Ltd., we were founded by farmers in 1988 and have first-hand experience within the farming industry. We know that grain bins are an essential part of your farming equipment and having the right grain bin fans and accessories can go a long way to protecting the integrity of your crops. In this post, we help you identify when grain bin fans should be used to help prevent damage or loss of stored grain.

Why Do Grain Bins Need Fans?

Grain bins make storing your grain easier but on their own, they may not be able to adequately protect your grain. Grain bin aeration fans are an important accessory for your grain bin as they can help to control the moisture levels and temperature of your grain.  The use of fans can help to ensure your grain retains its quality and is protected from spoilage. Grain bin fans may not be needed in all instances, though they are often highly recommended.  

How Can I Know When to Run Grain Bin Fans?

Grain bin fans don’t need to be running all of the time. In fact, targeted use of grain bin fans can be most effective in helping you regulate the temperature and moisture levels of your grain. Examples of when you might want to consider running grain bin fans are during the initial drying period, during hot weather to avoid overheating, during times when air humidity is a concern, and also when cool weather arrives to help with temperature adjustments.

These examples are not an exhaustive list of all the times when a grain bin fan can be used. It may be helpful to utilize a grain bin monitoring system to help you use your grain bin fans more effectively and in turn, optimize your grain storage solution.  

What Other Grain Bin Accessories Should I Consider?

There are a variety of grain bin accessories that can help you to protect your grain during storage. Some of the most common accessories for grain bins include grain bin heaters, bin monitors, and aeration systems.

At Avonlea, we are committed to helping you find a grain bin storage solution that makes your life easier while keeping your grain safe. See our posts, How Long Can Grain Be Stored, and How Does a Grain Moisture Meter Work, for more information on keeping your grain stored effectively.