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Organic_Spirit
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Registered: 05/06/11
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Petri Dish Advice
#28898746 - 08/03/24 11:21 AM (5 months, 11 days ago) |
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Hello family, i have a question i wanted to ask regarding something i consider a issue for me.
Whenever i make my petri dishes i like to pour the plates before putting them into the autoclave and the issue for me is that the plates come out wet from the condensation.
I wanted to know if anyone has any tips on how to avoid the condensation. I dont have a air flow hood only a still air box but i dont feel comfortable pouring the plates one by one after autoclaving in a still air box.
Also i guess i could ask if anyone tried anything other then parafilm with good results?
I've used parafilm for long enough but i hate when the parafilm stick really good to the plates and i have to scrub it off.
I've been using grafting tape with good success, and its cheaper. Has anyone used microscope tape?
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Arctic_Fox
Mr. Furious


Registered: 03/13/23
Posts: 460
Loc: Ontario
Last seen: 4 days, 7 hours
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I tried micropore tape. It left a residue, wouldn't recommend. Most people who don't like parafilm use cling wrap by cutting the roll into smaller rolls.
Note that parafilm is not suited for high temperatures; if you're putting it in the PC, that may be why it gets sticky. It never gets sticky for me. I do not know whether cling wrap is autoclave safe.
I don't no-pour, however. Condensation is a common complaint. I sterilize my glass petri dishes in the oven (1 hour at 170C), wrapped in aluminum foil, and pour the solution in afterwards. But I know this is what you wanted to avoid.
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Bigdogg
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Pout them in your SAB. I am very new to Agar and have no issues with it as far as contamination. I did pour too late and end up with a couple lumpy plates one time.
Start pouring around 130°F. I can do 25 plates from there with almost no condensation.
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SporeJunkie
Pöåšt Šhïttēr



Registered: 11/30/18
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Loc: Stoned Traveler
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Mine do the same but I just don’t worry about it. Some containers do it more than others, all under the same conditions. For instance, the mini rounds get all kinds of condensation, and these durable kid cups with screw on lids that I bought at Walmart one night because they didn’t have anything else (they’re expensive as shit for what we’re using them for), don’t get any at condensation.
Just pour out as much as you can when you go to inoculate and that’ll take care of most of it. Pastywhyte said himself that it’s never been a problem and not to stress over it and that dudes a legend as far as I’m concerned.
You can also leave them to cool with the top off for a bit after you pour them since you’re going to be sterilizing them right after anyway. Just wipe the condensation off with a paper towel before PCing them and that’ll deal with a decent bit of it.
-------------------- I been drinkin green tea all goddamn day
Edited by SporeJunkie (08/03/24 01:19 PM)
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Organic_Spirit
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Registered: 05/06/11
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Quote:
Arctic_Fox said: I tried microscope tape. It left a residue, wouldn't recommend. Most people who don't like parafilm use cling wrap by cutting the roll into smaller rolls.
Note that parafilm is not suited for high temperatures; if you're putting it in the PC, that may be why it gets sticky. It never gets sticky for me. I do not know whether cling wrap is autoclave safe.
I don't no-pour, however. Condensation is a common complaint. I sterilize my glass petri dishes in the oven (1 hour at 170C), wrapped in aluminum foil, and pour the solution in afterwards. But I know this is what you wanted to avoid.
I use parafilm but the only reason i wanted to try something different was due to the extra work of cutting them into appropriate lengths and the slight residue i was getting sometimes. Tho this may have been to moist plates and old plates. Also save a bit of money. I haven't tried microscope tape but i thought it may be worth a try. I dont like the idea of cling wrap, if you have to go thru the work of cutting it into smaller pieces. Grafting tape is already the right size and has a good stretch to it to make a good seal around the plates. Only issue with it for me is when the plates are moist the wrap can slip a little, but nothing a little extra pressure cant solve.
Currently i pour my plates then put some heavy duty foil on top and on bottom and autoclave, once cool i transfer to a clean still air box and start inoculating.
I was wondering if maybe there is a way of putting the foil on or elevating the plates a bit , anything to prevent moisture buildup inside the foil and on the plates.
I've avoided pouring the sterile agar onto sterile plates just to try avoid extra points of contact for contamination, but i will have to give it a try.
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SporeJunkie
Pöåšt Šhïttēr



Registered: 11/30/18
Posts: 3,054
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I got this for my no pours and really anything that can fit in there without taking it out. Idk how much it helps condensation but it was cheap and makes me feel slightly better about things. For what that’s worth.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09JS9C4BB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
Also, cling wrap is pretty shitty ime. It’s hard to mess with and the amount it helps is minimal at best. So, yeah, you’re probably better off keeping that opinion lol.
-------------------- I been drinkin green tea all goddamn day
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Organic_Spirit
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Quote:
SporeJunkie said: I got this for my no pours and really anything that can fit in there without taking it out. Idk how much it helps condensation but it was cheap and makes me feel slightly better about things. For what that’s worth.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09JS9C4BB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
Also, cling wrap is pretty shitty ime. It’s hard to mess with and the amount it helps is minimal at best. So, yeah, you’re probably better off keeping that opinion lol.
For 10 bucks looks like it could be worth trying. Thanks
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Arctic_Fox
Mr. Furious


Registered: 03/13/23
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Loc: Ontario
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How did you manage to write "microscope tape" even in the portion that was quoting me?
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Organic_Spirit
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Quote:
Arctic_Fox said: How did you manage to write "microscope tape" even in the portion that was quoting me? 
Haha, i just noticed that was you who spelled that. I did a spell check and was like wait did i write microspore tape?? I just corrected it and moved on. That is funny tho.
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B Traven
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Registered: 03/10/20
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I do no-pour with pp5 storage containers and pyrex petri dishes. I don't wrap them, ever.
I don't really care very much about condensation. However, letting the plates sit on the counter and cool completely before putting the lids on and autoclaving generally helps keep it to a minimum. That, and dialing in the water-agar ratio so that there's not a ton of extra steam generated during sterilization.
-------------------- Beware of advice- even this.
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