Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 From what I've researched browning is caused by moisture and lack of air. I use the handypantry green round trays. For me, even after I wait for the water to drain when rinsing and it appears to stop, I still need to keep the tray tilted for gravity to slowly remove more water. It takes a little bit of time to really drain well. About 3-4 min.) Tapping also helps. To: sproutpeople From: donaeley@... Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 12:29:04 +0000 Subject: Re: Sprouts Turn Brown Thanks, . Have you seen sprouts turn brown with too much moisture? I've been centrifugal spinning/draining after rinsing as the sproutpeople video shows until I don't see any more splashing on the sink. I do live in Arkansas, though, and we have some pretty high humidity. I think the only way I could get more moisture out of sprouts is if I actually take them out of the sprouter and put on some kind of material - paper towel or something to absorb more - after each rinse (12 hrs). I don't know how that would effect any contamination issues. Dona > > > > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some certified > > > organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on the > > > YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being soak > > > day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, spinning > > > and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > > > > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started loosening > > > the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time was > > > very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to provide > > > more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The > > > sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, they > > > look just like the video. > > > > > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with > > > little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > > > > > Dona > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Donna: Do me a favor. Start a new batch and soak as usual overnight. But instead of putting the seeds in a Easy-Sprouter, put them in a little colander and put a bowl over them. Rinse and drain THOROUGHLY every 12 hours. Leave the colander in your dish drain on a tilt. Let's see what happens after the 3rd or 4th day. If the sprouts don't turn brown and they sprout nicely, you'll know that there is something in the easy-sprout that just might be contributing to this. Maybe you have to disinfect or something like that. But you won't know until you rule this out. This way, we'll find out if it's the seeds or if it's the easy-sprout. Makes sense, no?? Melody > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some certified organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on the YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being soak day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, spinning and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started loosening the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time was very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to provide more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, they look just like the video. > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > Dona > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Will do...thanks. Dona > > > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some certified organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on the YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being soak day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, spinning and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started loosening the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time was very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to provide more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, they look just like the video. > > > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > > > Dona > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I think less time between rinses unless your house is warm might be too much moisture. Once the sprouts get up in size where there is some weight, I can not do the spin around method that Gil uses. My hands are just to small. What I have recently started doing due to time originally was to rinse my sprouts then leave the inner container propped on the upper edge of the outer container where the water could drip down into the outer container. I let them stay like this probably for up to 30 minutes while I do other things. Then I start shaking them like I am trying to get something off of the bottom. I shake and shake and shake and I also tap them against the side of my sink and then shake some more. I try to make sure that there is no longer any water falling into the sink. What is the average temp in your house? Are the sprouts in an area where they get air? Oh I lost a entire batch of alfalfa because my son knocked the inner portion down into the outer portion and the air could not flow. Those turned brown. Now if your house is warm, mine is about 73, if it is warmer than that you probably do need to rinse more frequently. Oh, are they near a source of heat of any type? Are they getting direct sun? We will figure this out. R. On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM, donaeley@... < donaeley@...> wrote: > ...thanks. Yes, I remember reading that; that's why I'm going with > the sproutpeople video instructions instead. I read all the information on > the Sproutpeople website too. I'm rinsing every 12 hours and draining until > I don't see any more splashing on my sink. Should I try going less time > between rinsing? Were your sprouts turning brown if you went too long? > > Dona > > > > > > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some > certified > > > organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on > the > > > YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being > soak > > > day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, > spinning > > > and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > > > > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started > loosening > > > the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time > was > > > very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to > provide > > > more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The > > > sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, > they > > > look just like the video. > > > > > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with > > > little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > > > > > Dona > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 i had a lot of sprouts and I put the little pointy thing for alfalfa in the bottom of the sprouter and that keeps them off the bottom where more moisture is. Then I have it in the 2nd that has a bottom. I rinse them and shake them though probably not as hard as he did on the video and then I put in the empty outer casing and the water can still drain off a bit. I then later pour out the bottom container that has no holes.  I was amazed but a bit overwhelmed with all the sprouts in there and felt it couldn't " breathe " well. They may be spoiling in the refrigerator as I have 2 spinners on ebay that end today I think. I shouldhave just gone and bought one new. I think both are the small ones.  I felt that was necessary with this sprouter. We'll see when it arrives or I buy it and take them out of refrigerator.  Good luck to you. Carolyn Wilkerson  To: sproutpeople Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 8:29 AM Subject: Re: Sprouts Turn Brown  Thanks, . Have you seen sprouts turn brown with too much moisture? I've been centrifugal spinning/draining after rinsing as the sproutpeople video shows until I don't see any more splashing on the sink. I do live in Arkansas, though, and we have some pretty high humidity. I think the only way I could get more moisture out of sprouts is if I actually take them out of the sprouter and put on some kind of material - paper towel or something to absorb more - after each rinse (12 hrs). I don't know how that would effect any contamination issues. Dona > > > > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some certified > > > organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on the > > > YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being soak > > > day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, spinning > > > and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > > > > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started loosening > > > the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time was > > > very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to provide > > > more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The > > > sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, they > > > look just like the video. > > > > > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with > > > little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > > > > > Dona > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I forgot to mention that for me I do loosen the sprouts with a fork at every rinse. This works best for me or they get to hot. R. On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 11:45 AM, Rushing wrote: > I think less time between rinses unless your house is warm might be too > much moisture. Once the sprouts get up in size where there is some weight, > I can not do the spin around method that Gil uses. My hands are just to > small. What I have recently started doing due to time originally was to > rinse my sprouts then leave the inner container propped on the upper edge > of the outer container where the water could drip down into the outer > container. I let them stay like this probably for up to 30 minutes while I > do other things. Then I start shaking them like I am trying to get > something off of the bottom. I shake and shake and shake and I also tap > them against the side of my sink and then shake some more. I try to make > sure that there is no longer any water falling into the sink. What is the > average temp in your house? Are the sprouts in an area where they get > air? Oh I lost a entire batch of alfalfa because my son knocked the inner > portion down into the outer portion and the air could not flow. Those > turned brown. Now if your house is warm, mine is about 73, if it is warmer > than that you probably do need to rinse more frequently. Oh, are they near > a source of heat of any type? Are they getting direct sun? > > We will figure this out. > > R. > > > On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM, donaeley@... < > donaeley@...> wrote: > >> ...thanks. Yes, I remember reading that; that's why I'm going with >> the sproutpeople video instructions instead. I read all the information on >> the Sproutpeople website too. I'm rinsing every 12 hours and draining until >> I don't see any more splashing on my sink. Should I try going less time >> between rinsing? Were your sprouts turning brown if you went too long? >> >> Dona >> >> >> > >> > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some >> certified >> > > organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on >> the >> > > YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being >> soak >> > > day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, >> spinning >> > > and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 >> degrees. >> > > >> > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started >> loosening >> > > the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time >> was >> > > very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to >> provide >> > > more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The >> > > sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until >> brown, they >> > > look just like the video. >> > > >> > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this >> with >> > > little problem. I would be grateful for any help. >> > > >> > > Dona >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > ------------------------------------ >> > > >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I only rinsed them once a day in the sprout thing. I keep forgetting what it is called. But when I was in high desert of CA, I rinsed them day and night and had them in Mason jar. They were about dry next time. I rinsed and put on the one lid I had and drained them well, then took off lid to use on other jar and laid that one on its side. That night it was dry and I did them again before bed. But it is very dry out there. In FL, I rinsed once a day. Carolyn Wilkerson  To: sproutpeople Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 12:45 PM Subject: Re: Sprouts Turn Brown  I think less time between rinses unless your house is warm might be too much moisture. Once the sprouts get up in size where there is some weight, I can not do the spin around method that Gil uses. My hands are just to small. What I have recently started doing due to time originally was to rinse my sprouts then leave the inner container propped on the upper edge of the outer container where the water could drip down into the outer container. I let them stay like this probably for up to 30 minutes while I do other things. Then I start shaking them like I am trying to get something off of the bottom. I shake and shake and shake and I also tap them against the side of my sink and then shake some more. I try to make sure that there is no longer any water falling into the sink. What is the average temp in your house? Are the sprouts in an area where they get air? Oh I lost a entire batch of alfalfa because my son knocked the inner portion down into the outer portion and the air could not flow. Those turned brown. Now if your house is warm, mine is about 73, if it is warmer than that you probably do need to rinse more frequently. Oh, are they near a source of heat of any type? Are they getting direct sun? We will figure this out. R. On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM, donaeley@... < donaeley@...> wrote: > ...thanks. Yes, I remember reading that; that's why I'm going with > the sproutpeople video instructions instead. I read all the information on > the Sproutpeople website too. I'm rinsing every 12 hours and draining until > I don't see any more splashing on my sink. Should I try going less time > between rinsing? Were your sprouts turning brown if you went too long? > > Dona > > > > > > > I'm new to sprouting - just bought an Easy-Sprout Sprouter, some > certified > > > organic broccoli seeds, and followed the sproutpeople instructions on > the > > > YouTube video. My first batch turned brown during Day 4 (Day 0 being > soak > > > day per video.) Used only 2 Tbsp. of seeds. And yes, I'm rinsing, > spinning > > > and tapping. I live in Arkansas, and keep my house at about 70 degrees. > > > > > > I reviewed the video, and decided that I might not have started > loosening > > > the sprout mass early enough, so I started a new batch and this time > was > > > very careful about that step. I also put a small fan in the area to > provide > > > more ventilation. This time my sprouts are turning brown on Day 3. The > > > sprouts themselves are about 5/8 " long, and at every step until brown, > they > > > look just like the video. > > > > > > This is very disappointing, as everyone else seems able to do this with > > > little problem. I would be grateful for any help. > > > > > > Dona > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 , You don't have to hold the cup as Gil does. I put a thumb inside the cup and grasp the edge. Swing, sway and shake to your hearts content. ew Re: Sprouts Turn Brown I can not do the spin around method that Gil uses. My hands are just to small. R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I'm going to start another batch in the Easy Sprout (after disinfecting) and relocate away from the fridge. I did disinfect the Easy Sprout both before and after the first bad batch too. I only have about 1 Tbsp of seeds left, so that small amount shouldn't hold as much water either. I still have the batch going in the separate container. Now I have to order more seeds. Dona > > I wonder if they were actually getting some heat from the fridge. We place > dough to rise on a fridge because of the warmth. You could always place a > desk top fan to blow the air around them. > > R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 In the water of aerogarden (I filled it up most of the way and put in 1/4 cup of bleach I think (or was it 1/3). I ran it for some minutes must hav been 10. then poured out and put just water in and ran it and dumped it and put more water in and ran it. Then I put in distilled water and the fertilizer and the pods. Carolyn Wilkerson  To: sproutpeople Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 2:19 AM Subject: Re: Sprouts Turn Brown  Yes - one tablespoon per pint of water > > Are you using bleach to sanitize it? > > > Carolyn Wilkerson > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 I sent a Help message to Sproutamo re my brown sprouts and received the following response from Gene Monson. If anyone wants to see his attachment, which has a little more detail but probably nothing you don't already know, I'll have to figure out how to include an attachment here. This is probably old news to most of you, but for newer people it may be of interest. " The attached sprouting technique provides a little more info on salad types than the Guide that came with your sprouter. For best result use at least 1/4 cup of broccoli per batch and start the 8 hour soak in warm (bathing temp.) water. Drain the soak water and refill the sprouter with fresh warm water, then drain thoroughly and loosen the soaked seeds by slapping around the sides of the sprouter. I always use the attached technique with excellent result for salad types. Since you're new to sprouting you might want to try some really simple seeds like lentils. (I buy pound bags at the grocery store for 1/10th the cost of broccoli, sprout half the bag to an optimum stage in less than 24 hours after a 6-8 hour warm water soak. No rinsing and no dehulling is needed. Sprouted lentils are a nutritional goldmine with anti-cancer properties and superior protein content.) " FYI I found that 1/4 cup broccoli seeds=about 3 Tbsp. I then sent a message asking why warm soak water is needed since it wouldn't stay warm very long, and received this: " Warm water does two things - it makes seeds with a waxy seed coat more permeable to water and speeds up enzyme action and growth. The size of the seed mass and the resulting higher seed mass temperatures stimulate rapid growth, provided there is an adequate supply of oxygen. Easy-Sprout works by convection, enabling every seed/sprout in the seed mass to get the oxygen needed, provided the air flow is not blocked by water at the bottom of the Inner Container, or by an overly compacted mass of roots. Because of the surface tension of water, thorough drainage followed by loosening of the seed/sprout mass is a bigger factor with tiny seeds (like alfalfa, broccoli, clover, etc.) than larger seeds. Of course my suggestions only apply to sprouting in an Easy-Sprout sprouter. " I was impressed by both SproutPeople and Sproutamo with the quick response (especially since Gene Monson was responding after regular working hours). Dona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Wow, how nice that he responded so fast. Good information too. I'm STILL glad you will be trying the SproutGarden. I have never had such a bumper crop of sprouts in all my life. Today I gave away ziplock bags to everybody I know. My landlord, my beautician, the lady I eat breakfast with, the lady across the street. I am absolutely being known as Sproutlady Melody. And you'll probably be Sproutlady Dona, lol Melody > > I sent a Help message to Sproutamo re my brown sprouts and received the following response from Gene Monson. If anyone wants to see his attachment, which has a little more detail but probably nothing you don't already know, I'll have to figure out how to include an attachment here. This is probably old news to most of you, but for newer people it may be of interest. > > " The attached sprouting technique provides a little more info on salad types than the Guide that came with your sprouter. For best result use at least 1/4 cup of broccoli per batch and start the 8 hour soak in warm (bathing temp.) water. Drain the soak water and refill the sprouter with fresh warm water, then drain thoroughly and loosen the soaked seeds by slapping around the sides of the sprouter. I always use the attached technique with excellent result for salad types. Since you're new to sprouting you might want to try some really simple seeds like lentils. (I buy pound bags at the grocery store for 1/10th the cost of broccoli, sprout half the bag to an optimum stage in less than 24 hours after a 6-8 hour warm water soak. No rinsing and no dehulling is needed. Sprouted lentils are a nutritional goldmine with anti-cancer properties and superior protein content.) " > > FYI I found that 1/4 cup broccoli seeds=about 3 Tbsp. I then sent a message asking why warm soak water is needed since it wouldn't stay warm very long, and received this: > > " Warm water does two things - it makes seeds with a waxy seed coat more permeable to water and speeds up enzyme action and growth. The size of the seed mass and the resulting higher seed mass temperatures stimulate rapid growth, provided there is an adequate supply of oxygen. Easy-Sprout works by convection, enabling every seed/sprout in the seed mass to get the oxygen needed, provided the air flow is not blocked by water at the bottom of the Inner Container, or by an overly compacted mass of roots. Because of the surface tension of water, thorough drainage followed by loosening of the seed/sprout mass is a bigger factor with tiny seeds (like alfalfa, broccoli, clover, etc.) than larger seeds. Of course my suggestions only apply to sprouting in an Easy-Sprout sprouter. " > > I was impressed by both SproutPeople and Sproutamo with the quick response (especially since Gene Monson was responding after regular working hours). > > Dona > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Being frugal - read cheap SOB - how much is all this good will costing for the seed, water, time, etc? ew Re: Sprouts Turn Brown Wow, how nice that he responded so fast. Good information too. I'm STILL glad you will be trying the SproutGarden. I have never had such a bumper crop of sprouts in all my life. Today I gave away ziplock bags to everybody I know. My landlord, my beautician, the lady I eat breakfast with, the lady across the street. I am absolutely being known as Sproutlady Melody. And you'll probably be Sproutlady Dona, lol Melody - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Don't be so defeatist! > I'm going to be 65 this year. I'm not going dancing any more. > > rofl. > > Melody > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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