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 urbanshroom
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Registered: 09/01/11
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 Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem 
#15016485 - 09/02/11 10:35 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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So I've flame sterilized my scalpel til red hot over an alcohol lamp successfully several times, but sometimes the thing just won't get red hot. I have a scalpel with disposable blades and another that's just one piece and it happens with both. It's driving me crazy. What am I doing wrong? I will be holding it over the flame and the whole handle will be getting hot but the tip never gets red at all.
Another problem is cooling off the tip of the scalpel-- several drags of the tip thru the agar will still leave it hot enough that I'm afraid it's damaging the mycelium when I cut pieces from the agar, even though I've tried to cool the tip and waited maybe 10 seconds. Cutting a small piece will result in melty edges.
Ideas?
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EN1GMA
Makaveli
 
Registered: 07/13/09
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: urbanshroom]
#15016609 - 09/02/11 11:20 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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I just took a lighter to my scalpel and it turned red after being IN THE FLAME for 10 secs. But it also left some black soot on the blade.
Now correct me if I'm wrong here but after flame sterilization can't you wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol to cool it down/remove the soot?
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Despondent
I hate this city
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: urbanshroom]
#15016636 - 09/02/11 11:27 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Try an acetylene torch! You will never have a problem warming up anything lol
On a more serious note, why are you heating your blades to the point of "glow in the dark"? You only need to hold it over the flame for a few seconds. Making sure the flame comes in contact with all areas of the blade you are planning on using. A few seconds over a flame will sterilize your blade and wont render it useless because it is glowing like a torch.
also try alcohol to remove any soot.
Edited by Despondent (09/02/11 11:28 AM)
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steelmonkey
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: Despondent]
#15016842 - 09/02/11 12:22 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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You want your scalpel red hot,some bacterias are only killed by high heat hence why we PC for extended periods also do not wipe a flame sterilized needle with alcohol it defeats the purpose of flaming the needle in the first place
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rumfor69
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Registered: 08/05/11
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: steelmonkey]
#15016867 - 09/02/11 12:28 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
steelmonkey said:
You want your scalpel red hot,some bacterias are only killed by high heat hence why we PC for extended periods also do not wipe a flame sterilized needle with alcohol it defeats the purpose of flaming the needle in the first place
I thought alcohol 95% sterilized everything?...
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Lysol is my shepherd; I shall not want
Lysol maketh green molds lie down; it leadeth me beside the still air
Lysol restorth my grow: it leadeth me in the paths of no contamination for my harvests sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of bacteria, I fear no surface,
for Lysol art with me, thy can and thy rag they comfort me ~Calopolus
  
Cambodian & PE6
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY
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steelmonkey
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: rumfor69]
#15016911 - 09/02/11 12:39 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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It will disinfect it not sterilize it
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rumfor69
Chocolate Sailor
Registered: 08/05/11
Posts: 733
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: steelmonkey]
#15016914 - 09/02/11 12:39 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
steelmonkey said:
It will disinfect it not sterilize it
hmm ok I just thought the black burnt lighter soot would be bad, thanks
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Lysol is my shepherd; I shall not want
Lysol maketh green molds lie down; it leadeth me beside the still air
Lysol restorth my grow: it leadeth me in the paths of no contamination for my harvests sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of bacteria, I fear no surface,
for Lysol art with me, thy can and thy rag they comfort me ~Calopolus
Cambodian & PE6
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY
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steelmonkey
Homejigger
Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,805
Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada
Last seen: 18 days, 4 hours
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: rumfor69]
#15016920 - 09/02/11 12:43 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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I use one of those propane torches with the tank that stands by itself and it will flame sterilize in 5 seconds without any soot,they're cheap too and handy
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sandman420
Baby Daddy
Registered: 06/17/04
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: rumfor69]
#15017112 - 09/02/11 01:37 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
rumfor69 said:
I thought alcohol 95% sterilized everything?...
absolutely not! I read about a alcohol based hand sanitizer that was recently recalled because it contained some serious bacteria.
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Don't let the bed bugs bite...
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steelmonkey
Homejigger
Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,805
Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada
Last seen: 18 days, 4 hours
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: sandman420]
#15017224 - 09/02/11 02:00 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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As a experiment wash your thumb in alcohol then press it on some agar in a petri dish bet you get a thumb print of bacteria
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EN1GMA
Makaveli
Registered: 07/13/09
Posts: 270
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: steelmonkey]
#15017413 - 09/02/11 02:35 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Is the soot a problem tho or can you just leave it on?
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steelmonkey
Homejigger
Registered: 02/22/11
Posts: 1,805
Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada
Last seen: 18 days, 4 hours
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: EN1GMA]
#15017639 - 09/02/11 03:23 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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go to home Depot or Lowes and get a cheap propane torch,no more soot,super fast flaming
Trust me you'll thank yourself for it
Soot isn't harmful it just makes amess of a otherwise pretty agar plate
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houdinihar
Adventurous Learner
Registered: 09/12/08
Posts: 1,079
Last seen: 1 month, 13 days
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: steelmonkey]
#15017969 - 09/02/11 04:22 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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the other thing is, when you get the coins you can buy a Bacti cinerator on Ebay for sometimes very reasonable prices. I waited for 2 years but bought a very nice one for a song.
here's one on Ebay right now--9/2/11--for $10.00--can't beat that friend.
Bacti cinerator on Ebay
houdinihar
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sandman420
Baby Daddy
Registered: 06/17/04
Posts: 720
Last seen: 27 days, 23 hours
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Re: Flame sterilizing scalpel-- problem [Re: houdinihar]
#15018223 - 09/02/11 05:00 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Definitely get the propane torch from a hardware store. It is where its at!
On the black soot left from a lighter, it is just carbon and not a problem. But get a torch!
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Don't let the bed bugs bite...
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