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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Steam Pasteurizer 2.0: Cheap, quick, and simple
#15369929 - 11/14/11 04:26 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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A bulk substrate pasteurizing unit, for pasteurizing with steam. As far as I've seen, most commercial mushroom farms pasteurize using steam. I find this process also provides a perfect moisture content in the end. This also can handle as much substrate as you can fit in your tub. The total cost is around $50 (US) Note that this is a work in progress, all comments and critiques are appreciated. I'll add some pics when I get a new camera.
Materials needed:
TWO large plastic tubs with locking lid, I like the sterilite 35gal blue tote Wagner 705 Power Steamer (in the paint/wallpaper section of any big hardware store) Drill Measuring Tape 3/4" hole saw Wire shelf, cut to fit the length and width of your tub T-junction for 1/2" Copper pipe Gorilla tape Meat thermometer Large stockpot (needs to boil about a gallon of water)
Three Simple Steps:
1) Make a rack for the wire shelf Place one tub inside the other for making your holes and whatnot. Using two tubs will knock at least an hour off your total time spent, due to the extra heat it retains. Measure holes about 6" up from the base of the tub. I use two pieces of copper pipe 2' long as a rack for my shelf, so I drill two holes on each side using my 3/4" hole saw. Insert the copper pipes and make a shitty gasket with gorilla tape. Let this cure for 24 hours. 2) Make a simple steam pipe with Steamer hose First, cut the end off of the steamer hose. Also cut a length of hose off that can wrap around the inside of your tub. Remove the rubber tube from the center of this piece and toss it. You'll need to cut holes in the hose that remains. I use scissors and cut holes 1/8-1/4" in size about 1" apart. This will ensure even distribution of steam in your tub. Use the T-junction to connect the hose that wraps your tub from end to end to form a loop. Once completed, drill a 3/4" hole on the long side a couple inches above the base of the tub. 3) Connect the power steamer to the steam pipe Connect the remainder of the hose to the power steamer. Insert the hose into the hole near the base of the tub and connect to the t-junction. That's all there is to it 
How to Pasteurize:
The process takes about 2hrs from start to finish in a 62 degree room, not including the cooling time for the pasteurized substrate. If you do not hydrate your substrate with hot or boiling water, you will add an hour or two to the time it takes to pasteurize. As an example, I put a gallon of water into a stockpot, add my 1/4 cup of gypsum, and bring it to around 170F. In a 5 gallon bucket, I place my brick of coir and pour the water ove it, and let it hydrate for 20-30 minutes. I brick up the coir by hand, then I add my dry ingredients, such as verm, coffee, worm castings, etc. I mix and move it into a paint strainer bag. I place this bag inside the tub on the wire shelf, then compress the sub so it is as compact as possible, this eliminates air pockets in the substrate. Remember that this unit can be filled with as much substrate as your shelf can handle, so it makes up for the extra time spent. Times and temps will need to be adjusted for more than one layer of substrate, or you can separate your substrates with an additional wire shelf and copper pipes. Basically, stick your temp probe as far into the middle of your substrate bag as you can. The closer to the center the better. Here's how my times work once everything is connected and running in a 62 degree room.
T-0:15 - Box closed, steamer plugged in. Compressed substrate and inserted probe. 136F T+0:00 - Steam is flowing. T+0:45 - Tank 3/4 empty, began boiling another gallon of water. T+1:00 - Refilled tank, 140F. Started timer (15-30 minutes) T+1:20 - Turned off steamer, 150F. Started timer (30-45 min) T+2:00 - Pasteurization complete, 157F. I open the box carefully and remove the substrate bag using heat-resistant gloves. I empty it into a clean monotub with taped-up holes and let it cool with the lid on. After it's below 85F (usually 6-8 hrs), spawn away.
Edited by ISOfantastic (01/12/12 09:21 PM)
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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15377200 - 11/15/11 11:56 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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No one has any thoughts at all?
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PinsWellWithOthers
Thread Derailer



Registered: 10/15/10
Posts: 1,834
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: ISOfantastic] 1
#15377256 - 11/16/11 12:11 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Pictures for these 3 complicated steps would help a lot!
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John Shultz
Don't panic!


Registered: 03/08/11
Posts: 109
Loc: The Restaurant at the End...
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: PinsWellWithOthers]
#15377396 - 11/16/11 12:58 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Agreed
--------------------
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 10 months
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: John Shultz]
#15378094 - 11/16/11 07:30 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
2) Make a PVC steam-pipe Measure lengths of 1/2 inch thick PVC pipe to fit into your tub. You want a T-junction in the center of your tub and two pieces of PVC with capped ends extending the length of the tub. One or two pieces will be needed to connect the T-junction to the power steamer outside the tub. Once cut, drill 1/8" holes along one side of the pipes that are inside the tub. This will ensure even steam distribution.
Ever see what happens when you pass steam through PVC? Think about pretzels, or wet noodles. I had a hard time reading past that.
You can use copper tubing or iron pipe.
You can also use a pressure cooker as a steam generator with a copper tube extending from the top to your chamber. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
"I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work."
Thomas Edison
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XFINITY
Not a noob just quiet



Registered: 03/14/10
Posts: 676
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: RogerRabbit]
#15378143 - 11/16/11 07:45 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Also PVC produces dioxins if it is accidentally burned, which will probably kill you and anyone else in the vicinity... it is one of the most toxic plastics created.
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choicecutz
Stranger
Registered: 10/26/11
Posts: 43
Last seen: 12 years, 3 months
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: RogerRabbit]
#15378144 - 11/16/11 07:46 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Pvc releases toxic gas when heated and running 200 degree steam thru it worries me
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penhed
spawniac



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 863
Loc: holding the axis
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: choicecutz]
#15378248 - 11/16/11 08:18 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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fuel line from pc to tub....it's easy
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Javadog
Continuing along



Registered: 05/03/10
Posts: 7,385
Loc: USA
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: penhed]
#15378266 - 11/16/11 08:27 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
penhed said: fuel line from pc to tub....it's easy
As opposed to the copper tubing, yes, this is what I wanted to add.
I had to ask at the time to be reminded of the dimensions of this line, and now I seem to have forgotten again. If anyone can report on that I would appreciate it.
Take care,
JD
-------------------- Boyd Rice told my brother that life is a corny pack of freesakes
Myco-tek.org
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penhed
spawniac



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 863
Loc: holding the axis
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: Javadog]
#15378330 - 11/16/11 08:47 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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i made one last week....i used 1/4 i.d. fuel line...a barbed brass fitting=5/16....2 small clamps....my first run must be close to 40 lbs of sub
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PinsWellWithOthers
Thread Derailer



Registered: 10/15/10
Posts: 1,834
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: choicecutz]
#15378393 - 11/16/11 09:07 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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^What RR said. Similar to a DIY distil only different I assume?
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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: PinsWellWithOthers]
#15380625 - 11/16/11 06:05 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, the PVC gets noodley, but it does function and hold up. Ideally I'll replace it with copper pipe, I'm just nervous about drilling into it. No, 200 degrees won't burn it, I've run steam through it for hours and hours in my garage and not a single sign or scent of burning or melting plastic. So no, steam won't burn PVC. RR is right tho, the copper tube is perfect for this kind of application. I like the PC to tub method, but wanted something I could do in a bathtub or basement where I wouldn't have to worry about the excess water dripping from the tub. Access to a power outlet is all this needs. This is my prototype and I thought I would share I'll post some pics once I get a new camera.
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pedrodepacas113
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Registered: 08/28/11
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15381240 - 11/16/11 08:12 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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too costly
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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: pedrodepacas113]
#15381978 - 11/16/11 11:20 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
pedrodepacas113 said: too costly
Not for the cheap. This is intended for growers that can support the cost. Sorry
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devilstone
Dave's not here...


Registered: 08/15/11
Posts: 129
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15382063 - 11/16/11 11:50 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Old fridge from a transfer station-free, 2 wagner power steamers off craigs/ebay $30.. 100 lbs of substrate a run..
But inventing things is fun.. if it your pasteurizer is kicking out what you need.. run with it.
-------------------- devilstone
fiction is easy to create, it is who believes it when your done that tells how well you wrote it..
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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: devilstone]
#15382109 - 11/17/11 12:03 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
devilstone said: Old fridge from a transfer station-free, 2 wagner power steamers off craigs/ebay $30.. 100 lbs of substrate a run..
But inventing things is fun.. if it your pasteurizer is kicking out what you need.. run with it.
I like your style
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devilstone
Dave's not here...


Registered: 08/15/11
Posts: 129
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer in three (slightly complicated) steps [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15382128 - 11/17/11 12:08 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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I forgot to add the Remote BBQ thermometer.. with extra sensor probes.. worth every motherf*cking penny..
-------------------- devilstone
fiction is easy to create, it is who believes it when your done that tells how well you wrote it..
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ISOfantastic
Mad Scientist Wannabe



Registered: 06/23/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Firmly planted in reality
Last seen: 12 years, 19 days
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer, now in three SIMPLE steps! [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15633106 - 01/08/12 01:02 AM (13 years, 12 days ago) |
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Updated this today with a much simpler, more effective steam pipe method. Still working on a new camera but it will be coming soon!
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BlueDruid
Stranger

Registered: 06/27/06
Posts: 811
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Re: Steam Pasteurizer, now in three SIMPLE steps! [Re: ISOfantastic]
#15751774 - 02/02/12 01:38 PM (12 years, 11 months ago) |
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Interesting, much like this thread but I like the use of 2 plastic tubs to hold in the heat & the flexible tubing.
I'm thinking of using washing machine hose for the tubing, if it can stand up to washing machine hot water I'm hoping it'll stand up to hot steam. Any thoughts?
Pics would be good, hopefully you can get a camera sorted out.
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