I use this tek to achieve a more constistent heat instead of using boiling water which might kill beneficial bacteria when flash heated. It also ensures that the temperature doesn’t drop below pasteurization temperature. I only grow for personal use and using a simple process saving time and money is obligatory for me. If you are happy with using boiling water in the bag and let it sit, this might not be for you. If you want to supplement, go with a sterilization tek. I use the following:
- Pellets (straw/oak depending on species)
- Grow bags
- Clean spawn. Recommend high spawrate around 15-20% for more nutrients and faster colonization.
- Wallpaper stripper steamer (around 30-40€)
- Plastic storing box heat stable (i use 86 L made of PP plastic, around 20€)
- Simple digital thermostat outlet (around 20€ on amazon)
- 3 towels
1. Prepare pasteurization box by carving a hole on the side which fits the end of the hose on the wallpaper stripper. Does not have to be air tight.
2. Prepare to use by pre heating water in the wallpaper stripper to boiling, then turn it off. Connect your thermostat outlet and choose temperature settings. I use 62.2C on and 66C off which works for me to keep it between 60-70C. Place a towel underneath the box. Now the pasteurization box is ready.
3. Boil enough water for your bags. I use 5 cups(1.2L) oak pellets with 6 cups(1.4L) water. With straw you need more water.
4. Turn off the heat and let the water cool down for a while. Fill your bags with pellets. If you wanna be exact, use a thermometer and fill your bags when water is 70C or less. Let the oak pellets soak the water and fold them thightly.
5. Place your bags in pasteurization box and cover them with a towel. You dont want steam in direct contact with the bags. Place the thermostat probe inside the towel but not against the bottom. I squeeze the cable between bags to keep it somewhat in the open. Close the lid and cover the box with a towel.
6. Connect your wallpaper stripper to your thermostat outlet. Start 60 minute timer when it has reached correct temperature and let it do its thing. You will not have to refill any water or do anything. The amount of steam is minimal.
If the box is filling with alot of steam you have to keep an eye out to not go over 70C. A tip is to let the bags increase temperature in the box before plugging in the steamer. You can also open the lid to release steam but be careful so you dont burn yourself. You might have to choose a lower temperature for off at first and then increase. It depends on your isolation, probe position, size of the box etc. I would recommend trying the settings without any bags at first to get a feeling for the settings.
7. After 60 minutes, take out the bags and let them cool off. You can inoculate them in the open air but keep everything clean to reduce exposure to molds and bacteria. Keep bags folded whenever you dont inoculate and reduce air circulation.
I use this improvised flowhood. HEPA filters taped on to a big floor fan, cheap and simple. Before you judge me it does work for ME. Ive done agar, grain and bulk with great success put prefer SAB for agar and grain for safety and only use this for bulk. I clean off dust particles and spray it with some brewing sterilizer and its good to go. Note that this is not standard practice and it might not work for YOU.
Here’s some HT lions mane goin at it using this tek.
Happy growing!
Edited by Mohinder (12/05/22 06:56 AM)
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