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clockworkshroom
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Condensation in dishes out of control
#27112262 - 12/28/20 01:12 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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So I've only just started using agar but my condensation is out of control. I've read every thread on here and everywhere else I can find and tried lots of things but just can't stop it. These are my steps.
1. Allow Agar to cool to below 122f (more like 115 for these photos). 2. Pour in stacks of 10 hoping only the top ones will be bad. 3. Leave dishes for 1 hour in stacks in my SAB unwrapped. 4. Inoculate. 5. Wrap with cling film (Saran wrap in the US), it is not breathable could this be it? 6. Leave in stacks to germinate.
Agar recipe is 10g agar agar, 10g lme to 500ml water.
If I use a hot cup to get rid of the condensation then it's only temporary and returns. It also usually results in liquid on the plates which worries me.
Plates are kept at room temp between 68-75f, not much fluctuation but somewhere in that range.
Any tips appreciated, thanks as always
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joze



Registered: 11/10/20
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I've been having the same issue. Monitoring because I'm curious what others say.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: joze]
#27112281 - 12/28/20 01:20 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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I wonder whether it's best to leave them out longer before inoculating and wrapping or even warming the dishes slightly before pouring so the temp differential is less but people that don't experience condensation never seem to do either.
A bit of condensation is obviously fine but I can barely see some of my plates
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teslacann
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I was getting really bad condensation on all of my pours. To get rid of it on all apart from the top 2, I poured at 41.5'c and then stacked them in stacks of 10. I then left them in my sealed SAB for 72 hours and parafilmed them after. Condensation on the top 2 was visible but nowhere near as bad as my first pour at 43'c and waiting for 16 hours.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: teslacann]
#27112373 - 12/28/20 01:55 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thanks alot, I'll try that right now
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clockworkshroom
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How do you seal your SAB by the way? Tape?
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D3_Myc
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When I used a SAB I’d cover the armholes and leave unwrapped in the SAB a few days. Inoculating an hour after pouring is pretty quick anyhow.
Press n seal works pretty good, more serious guys construct covers out of magnetic flaps, caps ect
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TheBoJim
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: D3_Myc]
#27112431 - 12/28/20 02:23 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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I have had luck leaving plates unwrapped in a shoe box until ready to use. Sometimes up to 2 weeks. Shoebox goes inside a closed cabinet.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: TheBoJim]
#27112435 - 12/28/20 02:26 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Thanks guys
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teslacann
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I was just using some clingfilm and smoothing it over the holes. It works really well.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: teslacann]
#27112487 - 12/28/20 02:45 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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I've just ordered magnetic sheets
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TheBoJim
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: teslacann]
#27112496 - 12/28/20 02:49 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Closing the holes of the SAB is really simple. You don't even need to use things like cling wrap or anything that goes to waste. Just place a tub lid, book, cardboard, ect... over the holes. It doesn’t need to be air tight.
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TheBoJim
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: teslacann]
#27112515 - 12/28/20 02:57 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Closing the holes of the SAB is really simple. You don't even need to use things like cling wrap or anything that goes to waste. Just place a tub lid, book, cardboard, ect... over the holes. It doesn’t need to be air tight.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: TheBoJim]
#27112517 - 12/28/20 02:58 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah I assumed so but I like wasting money so have gone for the magnets. I already had the lid ready for tonights run
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jcm4620
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dont pour agar too hot for one. thats tbe biggest cause also make sure u keep them somewhere the temp is comstantly the same. but what il do is take some microwaveable heat packs(bean bag things) and get them warm and lay one on the top of each dish that has condensation on it. works 100%every single time
Edited by jcm4620 (12/28/20 04:29 PM)
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Tattersail



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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: jcm4620]
#27112800 - 12/28/20 05:27 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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I wonder if wrapping a blanket or towel round the stack of plates might help reduce condensation? They would cool down more slowly that way. I will try it next time I make no-pour plates and see if it makes a difference.
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jcm4620
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: Tattersail]
#27113096 - 12/28/20 09:00 PM (3 years, 1 month ago) |
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no u want it on the top only otherwise ur only gnna cause more. trust me on this one
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Doctor Mario
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: jcm4620]
#27113301 - 12/28/20 11:53 PM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I let the agar cool to around 115°F before I pour and I get similar condensation. I wrap em and put em up for 7-10 days. I like to wait and see if they contam before I do anything with em. The condensation usually clears up by then.
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TigerStrike
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: Doctor Mario]
#27113317 - 12/29/20 12:21 AM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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Agar pouring can be done in a variety of ways each with clear pros and cons.
So, Agar is best done by an automatic agar pouring machine with a cassette stack usually in clean room conditions. Fast Easy VERY EXPENSIVE condensation 0 problems
2nd best is Flowhood Slower, Not as easy, Much less expensive but still reachable. No problems if allowed to sit in 1st air for 2 hr or pour 8 stacks and leave lid cracked for 2 min then next 8 or however many stacks you want. But Agar poured then sit plate cracked makes no con for me.
3rd best SAB but doable. Very Slow Very high skill involved VERY CHEAP
Then in the recipe
Please watch the vid in my link you will see that the lab guys use extra agar FOR A MORE FIRM AGAR. Perhaps his helps also.
When you watch them, They pour a plate then wait to cool
Very clear Very good agar.
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: TigerStrike]
#27113445 - 12/29/20 03:42 AM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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I poured 20 last night, left them in the SAB overnight, I can't leave them longer as I guests today so put the sleeve back over them in the SAB and will store for a few days before checking
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RhYzo
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Woah they leave the lid hanging off the side eh?
Thanks for the video. TwaS fun to watch
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TheBoJim
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: RhYzo]
#27113850 - 12/29/20 09:49 AM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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Cool video. I want that autoclave
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Shroomysamba


Registered: 11/23/20
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: jcm4620]
#27113918 - 12/29/20 10:28 AM (3 years, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
jcm4620 said: dont pour agar too hot for one. thats tbe biggest cause also make sure u keep them somewhere the temp is comstantly the same. but what il do is take some microwaveable heat packs(bean bag things) and get them warm and lay one on the top of each dish that has condensation on it. works 100%every single time
saving this suggestion for later thanks
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clockworkshroom
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: Shroomysamba]
#27120034 - 01/01/21 09:47 AM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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Poured at around 113f, didn't wrap, left in the SAB overnight and then put back in the sleeve until today and they are all crystal clear apart from the top one. Thanks guys.
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Shakedown Street
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Last night, I poured 22 100 mm petri dishes and 7 smaller (less surface area) dishes w/ agar. I did not have any device for measuring temperature. I just pulled my 500 mL media bottle out of the PC using metal tongs, removed the foil covering the plastic lid, and let it sit on the stove until it was cool enough that I could pick it up and carry it to the kitchen table without burning my hands.
My PDYA recipe: - 10 g agar agar powder - 9 g light malt extract LME - 1 g yeast - 500 mL potato water - 14 g Karo syrup No food coloring, so it will stay golden in color from yeast & LME.
I only meant to pour 7 g Karo syrup, but ended up with more by accident.
After pouring the Petri dishes, I joined the tops to the bottoms w/ two rubber bands to keep the spores out, and stacked them in stacks of 5. I let them sit this way in the SAB until the next morning (today). Yes, the petri dishes were completely clouded w/ condensation. I will check them in 10 or 20 days for growth.
Today I inoculated 5 containers of the golden PDYA agar. I sealed the remaining unused Petri dishes in new gallon ziploc bags and stored them in the 'fridge until I need them later.
I am not worrying about condensation because I had to remove the lid of the Petri dish to inoculate it. Therefore, condensation did not impair my visibility. And because condensation is a sign of water, which is required for all forms of life.
Edited by Shakedown Street (01/01/21 07:49 PM)
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Beano
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I let my agar cool to the point of it starting to solidify before pouring. Even a little on the chunky side.

The plate with condensation was after a reheat.
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Pastywhyte
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Re: Condensation in dishes out of control [Re: Beano] 1
#27121180 - 01/01/21 09:37 PM (3 years, 27 days ago) |
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Just put a hot cup of coffee on condensed plates for 7-8 min. Condensation gone.
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