Another sprout question.

[LovelySydney]

Oliver's breeder gave me a mason jar filled with sprouting seeds. The lid has tiny plastic holes in it (I'm assuming this is for rinsing). My question is, what do I do!! How much seed should I start sprouting??

We did this to practice and put a bunch on a plate which worked, but when it came to rinsing we had nothing to do that with. Our colander was far too large so we ended up losing a lot of seeds because of this problem.


Oliver LOVES sprouts so I want to make sure we do this right. I want to start tonight with the sprouts. I was also thinking of buying a kit online, but I don't know what to get. One with a jar or ones that have trays that just sit out? Whats the difference?? I've been looking at wheatgrasskits.com.

I'm also thinking of buying this product - anyone think this will work?? http://www.wheatgrasskit.com/sprouting/kitchen_sprouter.htm



Thanks in advance. (I know this won't be nearly as confusing once I get the hang of it!! I just need word for word instructions or I stuggle:rolleyes:)

[Laney]

Hi! I'm not sure if this helps but this is the sprouter that I use for my birds:

http://www.sproutpeople.com/devices/ez/easysprout.html

It's really easy to use - I especially like that it's super easy to soak and rinse everything. I bought a sprout mix from www.greyfeathertoys.com (http://www.greyfeathertoys.com) but also make up my own mixes of wheat berries, mung, adzuki, millet, lentils and a few others.

I still have a hard time adding just the right amount to last my two for 4-5 days but it seems like 4-5 tablespoons of dry mix is more than enough. I soak everything for about 24 hours, rinse it really well, leave it out on the counter for another 12 hours or so, rinse again and them leave them in the fridge to slow the growth down a bit. My birds love sprouts!

Good luck!

[LovelySydney]

Thanks Laney - I just went and looked at that online. Now, do the sprouts sit atop the top tray and grow that way?? It looks to me like there is nothing in the middle so do you just use that to rinse??

[chapala]

You also can use just a simple strainer. That's the way I do it, though now with 5 birds, I may want to get the EZ Sprouter. I soak overnight in a cup or small bowl, pour into strainer in the morning, rinse well, and set the strainer over the cup or bowl to catch the drips. Rinse a few times during the day, and grains will be ready the following morning or evening (1 1/2 to 2 days), legumes will take a little bit longer. Then, just store in a covered container in the refrigerator (not sopping wet or completely dry), and they will keep well for several days.

[Rosekeet]

I have a sprouter that my mother gave me, but before that I just used a really fine colander and that worked well. The sprouter takes up less space on the counter, though. I also put a little white vinegar with the seeds when I'm soaking them. Some people use a drop of grapefruit seed extract. That kills off bacteria.

[chapala]

I use plain water (goes through house purification system, no chlorine) and never have any problems with bacteria or mold. I have heard some people use organic apple cider vinegar in the final rinse. I wouldn't advise GSE because it destroys gut bacteria in the bird (or human). GSE's anti-bacterial effects by the way are due to a chemical that is added to the natural grapefruit seed extract, not to the GSE itself.

[LBTerry]

My sprouters are just plain mason jars with the 2 part lids... I just replaced the caps with stainless steel screening.