|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Almond Flour
...get off my lawn!



Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
|
Field Capacity straw?
#18842758 - 09/14/13 10:44 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I tried pasteurizing a very SMALL batch of straw and I must say, after draining and squeezing it....it was FAR from field capacity. So I squeezed a TON of water out until it was at field capacity, however to do this on a large scale has to be the BIGGEST pain in the ass. How do you get straw to the correct moisture levels after pasteurization.
-------------------- Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church"
|
drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
|
|
soak in burlap coffee sacks. let drain on cinder blocks till they stop dripping. Sometimes poking holes in the straw logs unleashes lots of falling water for me haha, it just depends.
|
solarity
mm... my favourite food



Registered: 03/31/09
Posts: 1,590
Loc: UK
|
Re: Field Capacity straw? [Re: drake89]
#18844199 - 09/15/13 11:26 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Just let it drain. I use net onion bags. Soak for 24hrs, drain, then steam pasteurise, then 24hrs cool down/drain - all in the same tank. Perfect for me!
-------------------- Commercial exotics farmer for 8 years - now sold up!
|
mycoloco
less and less a stranger



Registered: 06/20/13
Posts: 183
Loc: The Rogue Valley, OR
Last seen: 1 year, 26 days
|
|
I spread pasteurized straw out on an old screen door on sawhorses, cover with remay, and let it drip and dry for about two hours.
-------------------- The universe is an illusion of the living.
|
deadmandave
Slime


Registered: 02/16/10
Posts: 3,355
Loc:
Last seen: 14 hours, 11 minutes
|
Re: Field Capacity straw? [Re: mycoloco]
#18845006 - 09/15/13 03:20 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I do fairly small batches of straw in hot water (less than 10lbs dry) after a hot water bath, i just tip my container on its end, and let the water run off for about 2 hours/until it's cooled then i spawn.
sometimes a little water will drip out of my poly tubes during the first couple days of colonizing but usually it seems to be perfect moisture content; and i have not had any bags stall due to too much moisture.
|
Almond Flour
...get off my lawn!



Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
|
|
Thanks for the tips trying another batch today
-------------------- Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church"
|
Jeff
Addict



Registered: 10/06/12
Posts: 1,488
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: Field Capacity straw? [Re: solarity]
#18845102 - 09/15/13 03:44 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
solarity said: Just let it drain. I use net onion bags. Soak for 24hrs, drain, then steam pasteurise, then 24hrs cool down/drain - all in the same tank. Perfect for me!
This is pretty much what I do Almond. I don't cool as long but the steam really helps to get it to where you need it to be.
-------------------- Myco-tek
|
Almond Flour
...get off my lawn!



Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
|
|
Well I failed. Part of it is my fault for not giving myself enough time to drain. I drilled holes in one of the tub lids and figured it work as a strainer! right? WRONG.....or at least I didnt make enough holes nor were they big enough. I got some bags, but lost 2 jars and a couple gallons worth of straw. Hopefully the bags I do have will colonize and wont be too wet 
Its a learning curve I guess, and next time I wont play softball with my girl when there is mycology to get done 
FWI, preparing straw is a major pain in the ass. At least when you dont have a proper outside setup! No wonder people spend tons of money on building drum steamers. My roommates looked at me like I was crazy boiled 4 giant pots of water on the stove and running back and fourth to fill up my tubs
-------------------- Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church"
|
forrest



Registered: 11/16/12
Posts: 1,011
Loc: The Netherlands
Last seen: 4 years, 6 months
|
|
i allso use a tub in a tub, with in the inner tub the straw and holes in the bottom, i can just lift it and let drip. but after dripping a while, i press the straw to squize as much water out of it as i can, that way i get to the right moister content. and you can try the hydrated lime method, so you won't have to heat so much water.
-------------------- My Trade List
|
Almond Flour
...get off my lawn!



Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
|
Re: Field Capacity straw? [Re: forrest]
#18846582 - 09/15/13 09:58 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
forrest said: i allso use a tub in a tub, with in the inner tub the straw and holes in the bottom, i can just lift it and let drip. but after dripping a while, i press the straw to squize as much water out of it as i can, that way i get to the right moister content. and you can try the hydrated lime method, so you won't have to heat so much water.
DUDE that idea to drain with tubs is genius! Here I was drilling holes in the lid trying to flip it over on its head
-------------------- Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church"
|
|