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Maximillion
Me



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 268
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First steps into my agar experience...
#23519340 - 08/07/16 03:49 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I had a few petris laying around, and after hearing about people success with agar I decided to give it a go. This is my result with the petri that I had.
 This is an absolutely awful culture. At least it appears that way to me. Not only did I carelessly spray LC all over the place, but I didn't even use a SAB. CARELESS! I didn't label anything! I failed miserably. This is a prime example of why you should follow every Tek step by step!
8/7 I've accepted my losses, and started doing some research. I am using Pastywhyte's Easy Agar Tek The only difference is I am using polyfil instead of micropore tape. This is what my jars look like after prepping them.

8/8 Today I am cooking up the agar!
I've added 2.5 grams of agar powder to a pan.

Next comes the potato flakes, I added 2 teaspoons.

I put this on low heat and stirred it for a good 5 minutes or so. Then I added a drop or two of Karo to the mix.
At this point I got really confused. I began to realize I have no idea what I'm doing. I've never made agar before, (or jello.) I was expecting the agar to solidify on the stove, which never actually happened. I got to reading the bottle and figured out that it will solidify when put in the fridge to cool.
SO after READING the bottle like I should have in the first place I decided that my agar was most likely cooked right and used my spoon to put an even amount into both my rubbermaids.

I didn't have any paper towels so I improvised and used cotton balls.

I cover both rubbermaids with foil and put them in the PC. I used a lower heat so that it would take a little longer to build pressure. then once the pressure was there I started my timer for 40 minutes.
As of now my agar is cooling in the PC "overnight" They will actually be removed from the PC in about 6-8 hours.
~UPDATES TO COME~
Edited by Maximillion (08/08/16 05:31 PM)
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Psychedel.EXE
AKA Old Uncle Nutty



Registered: 07/04/16
Posts: 211
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: Maximillion]
#23520436 - 08/07/16 09:28 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I personally like the 4oz Glad Mini Rounds a little better than the twist lid ones. It's all about preference tho, I've seen people use all kinds.
Good luck and have fun with the agar. 
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Maximillion
Me



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 268
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: Psychedel.EXE]
#23522567 - 08/08/16 05:34 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Updated!
Quote:
Psychedel.EXE said: I personally like the 4oz Glad Mini Rounds a little better than the twist lid ones. It's all about preference tho, I've seen people use all kinds.
Good luck and have fun with the agar.  
Thanks! I certainly will! I've used the glad mini rounds before when I was still making brf cakes. They are great. They just feel to flimsy to me. personal preference. The only thing I don't like about my Rubbermaids is that they are harder to see through.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: Maximillion]
#23522623 - 08/08/16 05:50 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Maximillion
Me



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 268
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: bodhisatta]
#23522646 - 08/08/16 05:57 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Glad to see I'm not the only one having some fun today!
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: Maximillion]
#23522689 - 08/08/16 06:09 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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those cotton rounds you put on top were unnecessary. The purpose of the paper towel is to keep the micropore tape from sticking to the foil.
You don't need the agar to congeal. You pour it hot, you let it set, then you PC it. No need to refrigerate or anything.
I typically let jars stay in the PC overnight. I like to take the minirounds out after depressurization to set in the SAB. Just personal preference, I guess. But I find the agar sets as a flatter plane that way. Have fun! Agar is a powerful tool
TC, I never thought I'd see the day you used pp5s!
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Maximillion
Me



Registered: 07/21/15
Posts: 268
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: dankington]
#23522742 - 08/08/16 06:25 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
dankington said: those cotton rounds you put on top were unnecessary. The purpose of the paper towel is to keep the micropore tape from sticking to the foil.
You don't need the agar to congeal. You pour it hot, you let it set, then you PC it. No need to refrigerate or anything.
I typically let jars stay in the PC overnight. I like to take the minirounds out after depressurization to set in the SAB. Just personal preference, I guess. But I find the agar sets as a flatter plane that way. Have fun! Agar is a powerful tool
TC, I never thought I'd see the day you used pp5s! 
The cottonballs were to help control condensation inside the Rubbermaid. I didn't refrigerate the agar after mixing, I put it straight into the PC. The statement made in the OP about refridgerating the agar was me sharing my idiocy with you guys. Agar is basically jello. all I was getting at there. Thank you though, I'm still learning. This is me putting my foot through the door, or testing the water so to speak.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: dankington]
#23522746 - 08/08/16 06:26 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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the best v-tek cup I ever managed. april 2014.
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: bodhisatta]
#23522766 - 08/08/16 06:32 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Lol I meant for your agar, dood! Nice damn' v-tek though! I have a couple of those that are pint sized… I'll have to try it out.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: dankington]
#23522773 - 08/08/16 06:34 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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tiger drop into a LC
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: bodhisatta]
#23522784 - 08/08/16 06:38 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Ugh, I should have gotten those shoulderless quarts when I saw them. Also gotta try LC and LI again. Just keep sketching myself out and doing wedges to grains. Do you use the standard whatman filters? Or are your lids like the ones TL used with the brass gaskets?
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: dankington]
#23522796 - 08/08/16 06:43 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I use a SFD and just don't get it wet
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dankington
The Stranger




Registered: 03/14/15
Posts: 4,577
Loc: 8te
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: bodhisatta]
#23522803 - 08/08/16 06:48 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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do you have an agitator? Even swirling a liquid, I get the filter wet. I tried doing that myself. I guess I should be more careful. 1/8" GE hole good for that? I figure smaller is better.
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: First steps into my agar experience... [Re: dankington]
#23522857 - 08/08/16 07:07 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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it's 1/4 i use razor sharp glass and fill a 60cc syringe up with sterile water. then inject it very hard into the jar to break up mycelium too
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