|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
roquet
Expat tippler
Registered: 05/29/07
Posts: 1,195
Loc: Dubai بجدية عربي...
|
How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test)
#7060015 - 06/18/07 01:55 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
I tried the spoon test to see if my WBS is dry enough after soaking 24 hrs and straining 30 mins (see thread) http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/6505282#6505282 and it always has lots of grain still stuck to the spoon. I let it strain for hours, squeezed it in a towel and it was no different to how it was after a 30 mins strain.
I shot some jars with LC before I read about the spoon test and they're showing growth after 3 days. So I guess it can work with wet WBS.
But how important is it to get it drier? I'm looking for a colander. Does that make much difference? If not, I don't know what to do apart from leave it spread on a tray in the sun. A LOT of hassle.
In the linked thread someone said just put 150g of grain and 100g of water straight in the jar and that works fine. Would save a lot of time. Anyone tried it?
Thanks
|
CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: roquet] 1
#7060025 - 06/18/07 02:00 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
If you go straight into the jars, the top grains will not get wet, won't begin the germination process, and will still have those nasty endospores kicking around.
To answer your question, it's not that important. For optimal conditions, certainly. But really, the other purpose of that 24 hour soak is that when drained and given a bit of outside air, the moisture content will be optimal.
Personally I soak up 25lb bags of WBS, and hang them in a pillowcase. After an hour, I start making jars 4 at a time after the last batch has hit the PC, returning the pillowcase to hang each time.
Very, very wet WBS will allow for contamination, overly dry WBS will halt or impede colonization. I wouldn't stress, though; you'll learn quickly what the right feel is, and when not to push it. Doubtful that you'll ruin a batch by way of moisture.
|
roquet
Expat tippler
Registered: 05/29/07
Posts: 1,195
Loc: Dubai بجدية عربي...
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7060061 - 06/18/07 02:16 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Thanks CaptainLinger.
Have you tried the spoon test? I can't see how just straining could ever get it dry enough. Unless other brands of WBS behave differently.
|
CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: roquet]
#7060070 - 06/18/07 02:23 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Actually, that's the first I'd heard of it. I just grabbed one from the kitchen and tested it on the WBS that I've been using to make grain jars today. About 12 hours after my first jars were made/PC'd, a few millet kernels do stick, but it's mostly clean.
I prefer the pillowcase method; it strains very quickly and the cotton provides a large, absorptive surface area compared to say, a colander, from which the water can evaporate.
Or maybe that's bullshit. It works well, however
|
CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7060073 - 06/18/07 02:23 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
My apologies, I missed the throwaway at the end there. I've never noticed a difference in brands. They all have the same constituent parts, anyhow: wheat, millet, etc.
|
deucedbi9
Stranger
Registered: 10/24/06
Posts: 4,613
Loc: UK
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: roquet]
#7060102 - 06/18/07 02:35 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
i often post that link for people to see just how dry the grain can be and still work. it's less problematic if the grain is on the slightly dry side than if it's too wet. remember you will be adding at least 2ml extra water when you inoculate. the drier you prepare the grain the more lc / spore water you can safely add.
i also wouldn't just add water to the grain,the wbs i buy has far too much dust and crud in it and needs a thorough rinsing to clean it up.
captain: "Or maybe that's bullshit. It works well, however"
bullshit works wonderfully
-------------------- whether low pressure sucks or high pressure blows... it's a bugger to cycle in. even though I'm feeling good Something tells me I'd better activate my prayer capsule
Edited by deucedbi9 (06/18/07 02:39 AM)
|
roquet
Expat tippler
Registered: 05/29/07
Posts: 1,195
Loc: Dubai بجدية عربي...
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7060103 - 06/18/07 02:36 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
maybe a 12 hour strain makes the difference.
Might try a pillow case. I had it in a sieve with nylon stocking like material stretched over it to catch the little grains.
Just seems like a sieve full of WBS sticks together and retains too much water in a lump to ever pass the spoon test.
|
CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: roquet]
#7060111 - 06/18/07 02:41 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Oh, I mean...I loaded those bitches up a long time ago. I just mean still, after all that time, I'm still getting a tad bit of sticking.
I also think the spoon test seems like a bit much. It's a good gauge, but what's left out is that slightly wetter grains will colonize faster. Most definitely increases your risk of contamination, yes...but if I'm knocking up 50 jars and can lose a few to such neglect, it's worth it for the speedier response.
|
deucedbi9
Stranger
Registered: 10/24/06
Posts: 4,613
Loc: UK
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: roquet]
#7060118 - 06/18/07 02:55 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
you could see if you can find a large "fine wire" sieve. depends how much grain you prepare at a time...25lb's ...
the amount of grain i do at a time would get totally lost in a pillowcase. so little it's worthwhile using a hair drier to speed it up!
-------------------- whether low pressure sucks or high pressure blows... it's a bugger to cycle in. even though I'm feeling good Something tells me I'd better activate my prayer capsule
|
roquet
Expat tippler
Registered: 05/29/07
Posts: 1,195
Loc: Dubai بجدية عربي...
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7060141 - 06/18/07 03:18 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
my problem is my PC only takes 4 pint jars. 3 batches in a day is pushing it. 50 jars would take me a while!
Good to hear wetter speeds colonization.
I didn't mean a colander before. I meant those things for drying lettuce which spin it round. What's that called?
|
CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus
Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: deucedbi9]
#7060145 - 06/18/07 03:19 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
We Americans...get ambitious
|
blurt
The New Guy
Registered: 03/14/10
Posts: 149
Last seen: 11 years, 5 months
|
Re: How to dry WBS before loading jars? (the spoon test) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#14539030 - 05/31/11 02:16 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Im doing 24 jars and have a PC that only loads four 336ml, 2 day job. Can't wait to get an all american and get litre jars.
Ive never had issues with water content, until the other day going with the simmer and all that, complete waste once they where put the PC.
What tends to work is the 24h soak, hot dip, pillow case over night.
So your saying I could get away with 2cc of culture?
|
|