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babyshroom
addict
Registered: 09/09/01
Posts: 456
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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How do YOU steep?
#543418 - 02/07/02 07:40 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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I'm bored with my cakes, and I want to try something new. I've colonized bird seed a couple times, but I haven't followed thru yet. I want to use Ryche Hawk's formula, which includes 20 tbls finch seed that has been steeped in mineral water first. But I'm not sure I know how to steep. What ratio of water to bird seed should I use? Do I keep the burner on the whole 45 minutes, and try to keep it almost boiling, or do I get the water boiling, turn it off and throw the birdseed in? I know this has been discussed before, but since I'm following a new recipe, I could use some clarification. Thanks for any help.
-------------------- I don't really know anyone who grows mushrooms. I just come here for fun.
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tomatofarmer
enthusiast
Registered: 01/10/02
Posts: 261
Last seen: 21 years, 11 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: babyshroom]
#543436 - 02/07/02 07:59 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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stteeping is when u boil on a low heat with a lid on....kinda when u make tea and let it sit to make it stronger, i not sure how much water to add i am going to do some today with birdseed and i plan on using enough to cover the seeds and leave just a little water in there after i get done....u can always add more if u need to(to the substrate) if its too dry -Lee
-------------------- I swear those mushrooms are going on my pizza officer!
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TCatz
Manic
Registered: 11/09/01
Posts: 215
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: babyshroom]
#543439 - 02/07/02 08:02 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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bird seed usally is used at a 2:1 b-seed/water, so you need to add more h20 than that for preboiling if you want to preboil/steep bring the water to boil, toss in your seed or whatever, cover and bring back up to a boil then turn the heat down til its just "barely" at a boil. for b-seed i would go 30min. no longer than 45min. for the larger grains like rye 45 -60min. When you see the grains exploding your done i almost always preboil, if you use rye and preboil theres none of the waiting for endospores to hatch... just boil and pressure cook
-------------------- Flying in a Blue Dream
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babyshroom
addict
Registered: 09/09/01
Posts: 456
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Thanks!! I had no idea I needed a lid. Are you using mineral water, and do you think distilled would be okay instead? Or maybe even tap water. Since the substrate will later be sterilized, could I use any water I wanted to? I'm ready to get started right now, so I'll keep you posted tomatofarmer. I guess I'll just follow your lead and try covering the birdseed plus a bit.
-------------------- I don't really know anyone who grows mushrooms. I just come here for fun.
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babyshroom
addict
Registered: 09/09/01
Posts: 456
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: TCatz]
#543446 - 02/07/02 08:06 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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Oops....glad I checked again after I measured my bird seed!! I will need a bigger pot than I planned on originally. I'll take your advice tcatz, and keep a close eye when I get at about 30 minutes.
-------------------- I don't really know anyone who grows mushrooms. I just come here for fun.
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CuckoosNest
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Registered: 01/31/02
Posts: 666
Loc: Northwest (shaped like a ...
Last seen: 21 years, 9 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: babyshroom]
#543513 - 02/07/02 09:44 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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Just like cooking rice.
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"...Three geese in a flock. One flew east, And one flew west, And one flew over the cuckoo's nest." Ken Kesey
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Shdwstr
FSRCanada


Registered: 02/17/01
Posts: 2,156
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: babyshroom]
#543575 - 02/07/02 10:25 AM (22 years, 14 days ago) |
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To make things a little less messy, I put 2 cups of grain/millet in a "Jelly Bag" and then steep for an hour. It makes rinsing the grain a breeze. Let it drain for 30 min and then just fill my jars to pressure cook.
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babyshroom
addict
Registered: 09/09/01
Posts: 456
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: Shdwstr]
#547850 - 02/11/02 12:04 PM (22 years, 10 days ago) |
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Well, my first jars are colonizing - not much yet, but the Maz look good. A couple Orissa's aren't showing growth yet, but they're only 3-4 days old yet Thanks for all the advice. Shdwstr, what are jelly bags? I don't cook much...can I get those in the states? I'm about ready to start another batch, and I'd like to give the bags a try. That pot full of seeds and funky water wasn't the cleanest way to go.
-------------------- I don't really know anyone who grows mushrooms. I just come here for fun.
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Shdwstr
FSRCanada


Registered: 02/17/01
Posts: 2,156
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Last seen: 10 years, 2 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: babyshroom]
#548398 - 02/11/02 09:24 PM (22 years, 9 days ago) |
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"Jelly bags" are small nylon bags used in making Jelly preserves. The fruit is placed and cooked in the bag keeping all the solid material contained. Pectin and sugar is added to the broth and .... Jelly for your morning toast. You should be able to find them in any store that carries a good selection of canning supplies, Wal mart, hardware strores etc... if all else fails, you could use some nylons etc.
Make sure they are only half full, cause they do expand.
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babyshroom
addict
Registered: 09/09/01
Posts: 456
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 19 years, 10 months
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Re: How do YOU steep? [Re: Shdwstr]
#548790 - 02/12/02 10:23 AM (22 years, 9 days ago) |
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Well, I've read a lot of posts and this is the first I've heard of Jelly Bags. They look great, I can't wait to find some and give them a try. Thanks!!
-------------------- I don't really know anyone who grows mushrooms. I just come here for fun.
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