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OfflineOPB
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OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 * 2
    #21907688 - 07/06/15 10:42 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1

I'm not sure if I can or should make a TEK with only 50 posts but I am certainly bold enough to try.

Being a quick learning beginner in this hobby I found that by unanimous opinion Agar seems to be the most useful tool after jars and a pressure cooker. I need it in my arsenal so I set my mind to mastering it. While researching and purchasing my materials I couldn't help but think that there were some issues with using petri dishes and/or their common surrogates.

I also want to note that I was inspired by Pastywhyte's Easy Agar Tek as well as other no pour techniques on the forum. I simply hope that these dishes might provide an improved container for the wonderful TEKs that already exist and work!

Now to the contenders

Glass Petri Dishes



Advantages
- Reusable
- Transparent
- Compact

Disadvantages
- Break Easily
- Cannot be used for No Pour techniques
- Expensive (cheap and brittle versions for $2+ each, borosilicate glass $60+ each)

Plastic Petri Dishes



Advantages
- Durable
- Cheap
- Transparent
- Sterile

Disadvantages
- One time use (wasteful)
- Cannot be used in No Pour techniques
- Creates suspicious waste
- Can be expensive in the long run with shipping

Tupperware Dishes



Advantages
- Reusable
- Tough
- Reasonable cost ($1.50 when I checked last)
- Can be pressure cooked
- Can be used for Pour techniques
- Can be used for No Pour techniques

Disadvantages
- Bulky (not a big deal but they do eat up fridge space)
- Opaque sides (Tops are usually impossible to see through and the sides are not ideal either)
- Tall (can make it awkward for cutting your wedges)

OPB Dish



Advantages
- Cheap ($8 for 12)
- Reusable
- Tough (aluminum body, you could break the glass but it would need to be a bad fall)
- Transparent (glass top)
- Can be used for Pour techniques
- Can be used for No Pour techniques
- Compact (2"x 7/8") (available in other sizes as well)
- Can be pressure cooked

Disadvantages
- lids can stick a bit
- Bottom isn't transparent

OPB Dish - How to



This is how the dishes arrived (there were 12 in total). They are called "Favor Tins" or "Glass Top Tins" or "Windowed Spice Tins" - you get the idea. They are usually used for holding balms, spices, or knickknacks. The key is to buy ones which state that they have glass tops (plastic melts) and are made out of aluminum or stainless steel. Stainless would be ideal but they are harder to find and more expensive generally. You also want to be sure that they are of a suitable size. I opted for 2" in diameter as it was the largest I could find without increasing significantly in depth. I have seen them in craft stores, in Marshall's, on Amazon, and on Ebay.

Upon arrival I cleaned 6 of the tins I was going to use for testing. Since No Pour techniques require pressure cooking you want to create a filtered vent for the dish.



Drill a small hole being careful to place it as high on the lid as possible while making sure not to nick the glass! This is easiest to do by placing the lid on its edge on a piece of wood and then drilling from the inside of the lid out.



After drilling the hole cut a piece of synthetic filter disk so that it will cover the hole and also have extra material on two sides to help ensure good adhesion. Then attach the filter using high temp silicone (I used silicone for sealing wood stoves). Be sure to watch the hole from the inside to make sure no silicone covers the hole. Assuming you bring temps up and down at reasonably slow rates you shouldn't need much of a hole to bleed off the pressure.



This hole and filter will ensure that expanding gasses can escape during sterilizing. When the tins cool they will also draw outside air in and the filter will stop contamination from being drawn in as well.

Testing Phase

Once the silicone had cured I filled the tin with Potato Dextrose Agar. I opted for the premixed variety because it is more convenient. (see Pastywhyte's TEK for mixing and preparation instructions)

I also decided to go ahead and fill up the other 5 clean tins with no filter vent.



I then wrapped these up in tinfoil (I kept the filtered tin separate in case the others boiled over) and fired up the pressure cooker.



I sterilized at 10psi (it crept up to 13 for awhile) for 30 minutes as per the agar instructions. I let the temperature rise gradually and allowed the pressure cooker to cool down slowly to avoid rapid changes in pressure.

Results



Success!!

And surprisingly they all seemed to work perfectly!



There is a bit of condensation but I believe that that will clear eventually.

It seems that the vent may not be necessary but I would still recommend it as without it you risk the tin collapsing on itself as the temperature falls. I will continue testing to see if this is a problem or if the tins are good to go as is!

Thanks for reading
OPB


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

Edited by OPB (07/07/15 12:05 AM)

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InvisibleGrey
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21907702 - 07/06/15 10:50 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Cool. Is there an adhesive holding the glass in, or is it fitted in there somehow?


--------------------


:takingnotes:  AMU Q&A  :takingnotes:


If you don't have a plan of your own, you'll become a part of somebody else's.

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Grey]
    #21907717 - 07/06/15 10:56 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

It sits on a ledge on the lid and then the top edge has been rolled over. It could be a potential spot for contamination but it's pretty tight so I don't think it will be an issue. I am testing with cultures now. If it were an issue or if someone was extra paranoid you could simply run a bead of silicone around the edge, but I really don't think this is necessary.


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

Edited by OPB (07/06/15 11:00 PM)

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OfflinePsilosopherr
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21907836 - 07/06/15 11:35 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

:popcorn:

right on newbie

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OfflineCMOSS
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Registered: 07/07/15
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21907974 - 07/07/15 12:27 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Nice find, I'd like to check these out.  Make a really nice alternative to buying petris off Amazon and other sources.  Aluminum probably hold up to corrosion from PCing pretty well too.

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Offlinethoraxx
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: CMOSS]
    #21908373 - 07/07/15 05:42 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Interesting, for a no pour tek its definately an improvement over the non-transparent plastic cups

But if you seriously have to pay such outrageous prices for glass petris i feel bad for ya
Recently bought a dozen used off ebay for about 10eur, not real labglass but very thick and durable, imo the most convenient solution

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Offlinethe_other
Registered: 06/08/15
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: CMOSS]
    #21908382 - 07/07/15 05:47 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

do you reckon these would work? 



--------------------

Whatever we have words for, that we have already got beyond.
- Nietzsche -

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OfflineNature Boy
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21908402 - 07/07/15 06:04 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Where did you get those?  Link, please!

EDIT:  Never mind.  Found these.  4" x  1 1/8" deep.  24 for $24.00.  And they are steel.  Oh, crap!  The windows are "hard plastic" according to the video.  I guess that makes them unusable?  I'm not so sure it does, because we autoclave and sterilize plastic syringes all the time...  :shrug:

http://www.papermart.com/windowed-round-tin-cans/id=20964?origin=product_ads&id=6513205P&Product_Type=Metal%20Packaging&utm_source=google&utm_medium=adwords&utm_campaign=product_ads&gclid=CNCp-Iz-yMYCFVOQHwod55ECUw

N.B.

Edited by Nature Boy (07/07/15 06:18 AM)

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Nature Boy]
    #21908448 - 07/07/15 06:36 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

the_other said:
do you reckon these would work? 






Those tops look plastic. Also the hinge may leave the dish somewhat open to contams. You could try it but the glass top round variety seem more ideal IMO.

Quote:

Nature Boy said:
Where did you get those?  Link, please!

EDIT:  Never mind.  Found these.  4" x  1 1/8" deep.  24 for $24.00.  And they are steel.  Oh, crap!  The windows are "hard plastic" according to the video.  I guess that makes them unusable?  I'm not so sure it does, because we autoclave and sterilize plastic syringes all the time...  :shrug:

http://www.papermart.com/windowed-round-tin-cans/id=20964?origin=product_ads&id=6513205P&Product_Type=Metal%20Packaging&utm_source=google&utm_medium=adwords&utm_campaign=product_ads&gclid=CNCp-Iz-yMYCFVOQHwod55ECUw

N.B.




Some plastics can handle the heat but many cannot. My guess is that the plastics used for cheap favor tins likely will melt.

I got mine on ebay but it looks like the same deal can be had on Amazon. I think these are identical. http://www.amazon.com/SE-Storage-Container-Aluminum-Glass/dp/B001HBR95A


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

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Offlinedigdog
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21908520 - 07/07/15 07:12 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Thanks for the great tek tip and link!

I am going to order some of these. I am primarily using disposable plastic dishes and pour them but it will be nice to have these on hand in case I run out and I am waiting on an order.

DigDog


--------------------
Once I stop learning, life will cease to have meaning.

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: digdog]
    #21908567 - 07/07/15 07:32 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

digdog said:
Thanks for the great tek tip and link!

I am going to order some of these. I am primarily using disposable plastic dishes and pour them but it will be nice to have these on hand in case I run out and I am waiting on an order.

DigDog




I'm glad you like the idea.

The one thing I don't love about these dishes is that some of the lids stick a bit. In my box 2 out of 12 take a bit of force to remove. The others slip right off and on. I may try to resolve this or just make sure to loosen the lids before I knock them up.

Let me know how they work for you!


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

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OfflinePsilosopherr
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21909146 - 07/07/15 10:37 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

I like certain baby food jars. Nice clear sides compared to those 4 ounce jelly jars (which are nice, but have 'quilted' sides, obscuring vision)

if you housemates use the right products,  you can have a nice arsenal of 'petri jars' in no time :thumbup:

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Psilosopherr]
    #21909265 - 07/07/15 11:09 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Baby food jars seem like a good option as well.

The lids on there are sticking more after the pressure cooker. I will keep updating with my experience so that everyone can get the full story before buying if they so choose.


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

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OfflinePsilosopherr
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21909269 - 07/07/15 11:10 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

OPB said:
Baby food jars seem like a good option as well.

The lids on there are sticking more after the pressure cooker. I will keep updating with my experience so that everyone can get the full story before buying if they so choose.



Maybe you could somehow get a filter (SFD) on there so that there isn't a vaccum inside? (or whatever you call it when pressure makes it hard to open stuff)

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Psilosopherr]
    #21909353 - 07/07/15 11:43 AM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

rbalzer said:
Maybe you could somehow get a filter (SFD) on there so that there isn't a vaccum inside? (or whatever you call it when pressure makes it hard to open stuff)




That's already in the tek  :likeaboss:

That could be the issue though because the few I've had the most trouble with didn't have the vent hole. It might be that when cooling the tops are pulled down tight on the bottoms instead of gently resting. I will drill a few more to test this. For now though they are all full of agar.

I also have a question. On half this batch I somehow forgot how to divide properly and used twice as much agar as was necessary. Will this prevent it from working? Obviously it is quite dense now.


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

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OfflinePsilosopherr
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: OPB]
    #21909472 - 07/07/15 12:14 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

OPB said:
Quote:

rbalzer said:
Maybe you could somehow get a filter (SFD) on there so that there isn't a vaccum inside? (or whatever you call it when pressure makes it hard to open stuff)




That's already in the tek  :likeaboss:

That could be the issue though because the few I've had the most trouble with didn't have the vent hole. It might be that when cooling the tops are pulled down tight on the bottoms instead of gently resting. I will drill a few more to test this. For now though they are all full of agar.

I also have a question. On half this batch I somehow forgot how to divide properly and used twice as much agar as was necessary. Will this prevent it from working? Obviously it is quite dense now.



ah my bad. was a little long

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InvisibleGrey
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Psilosopherr]
    #21909831 - 07/07/15 01:50 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

The only worry I could think of is agar boiling over. Thick agar plates are fine though. Good for storing cultures.


--------------------


:takingnotes:  AMU Q&A  :takingnotes:


If you don't have a plan of your own, you'll become a part of somebody else's.

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InvisiblebodhisattaMDiscordReddit
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: Grey]
    #21909864 - 07/07/15 02:00 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

It's great but solved a problem that doesn't exist. Pour plates are easy. Sterilization of dishes uses as much or more energy than just tossing disposable dishes. Especially with a small household pressure cooker. If you like it and it works for you great but I see people spending more time and effort trying to avoid learn how to do easy things. If you cant order dishes cheaply ok sure get some reusable ones. Either way nice innovation

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Offlineblackout
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: bodhisatta]
    #21909973 - 07/07/15 02:31 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Good idea. I have found a few fully clear PP5 containers recently. One had popcorn with a clear lid and white bucket, about 3L in size. Another was sweets, tapered and 280ml, another 1.4L containing sweets. They all have very flat lids, no moulded shapes which can obstruct the view.

These are totally transparent, and remained so after a PC cycle though 1 did get a tiny bit cloudy but went past 15psi.

These are all bigger than your jars, I am keeping an eye out for smaller ones.

For your tight lids you might sand down the sides of the bottom one a little with fine sandpaper. Or if there is another lid a bit too loose try swopping them around.

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OfflineOPB
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Re: OPB's Reusable, No Pour, Unbreakable, Glass Top, Agar Petri Dish for under $1 [Re: blackout]
    #21910140 - 07/07/15 03:10 PM (8 years, 10 months ago)

Yeah I was thinking of taking some sand paper to them, but that might just give them more grooves to bite in with. I could go down to a really fine grit I guess. As I said I will keep experimenting and see how well these will work. So far I am happy with my $8 invested though.


--------------------
"Wasn't that fun"

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