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jjb007

Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 338
Loc: Near Philly
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw?
#9265254 - 11/18/08 10:33 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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I have a few jars of oyster spawn that will be fully colonized soon. I have decided that mixing the spawn with pasteurized straw is my best bet since I live in the country and there are tons of farms in the area with straw...
I have read many posts on this forum about pasteurizing straw and it seems that I have a lot of options... So, before I go out and buy the materials needed to pasteurize, I figured I would ask you helpful people on this forum for advice on which method is best.
Thanks!
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b3jamboree
yes we have no portabellas


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 423
Loc: 45th Parallel, MI
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: jjb007]
#9265516 - 11/18/08 11:45 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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The way we do it on the farm is to fill up a 110 gallon tank with a bale straw and then pipe 140-160 degree water from the boiler on to it. We let that sit for an hour or two, take it out and then put a second bale in. We add a bit more hot water to keep the temperature up and let that sit for a few hours. Then we do a third bale, adding more hot water and then let it sit over night.
We have had great luck doing three bales in the same water but I would not try to do any more than that.
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Wingman4l7
Thinks Before He Posts


Registered: 06/11/06
Posts: 235
Last seen: 2 years, 10 months
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: b3jamboree]
#9267950 - 11/18/08 06:30 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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It kind of depends on the scale of operations you want to work at... I believe RR's method involves soaking the straw in warm/hot water with liquid dish soap for a couple hours and then pasteurizing in 180 F water and some hydrated lime, all done in plastic totes. However, if you have the space country property provides, plastic/metal troughs, barrels, tanks etc. might make more sense.
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jjb007

Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 338
Loc: Near Philly
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: Wingman4l7]
#9268454 - 11/18/08 07:48 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Well I do not have any materials such as barrels and tanks because I live in an apartment right next to my college (which happens to be in the country).... although I do have a lot of back yard space so I was thinking of purchasing a propane burner and a metal trash can... The only thing I am unsure of with this method is how to keep the temperature below 180 degrees?
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denger
Mycelium keeper



Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: jjb007]
#9268955 - 11/18/08 08:52 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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There are probe thermometers available at some kitchen stores. These are basically electronic thermometers with a probe on a long temperature resistant wire, like this: http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from-froogle.asp?id=964697843&rf=froogle&dfdate=11_17_2008
I am sure you can find a cheaper/better one, but it gives you an idea what I am talking about.
Insert the probe right into the middle of your straw and play with the burner settings.
Going over 180 for a brief period of time is not going to make a lot of difference, as long as it does not stay well above for a while.
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solumvita
Q.B.E.


Registered: 02/12/08
Posts: 2,061
Loc: South Africa
Last seen: 7 months, 18 days
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: denger]
#9270016 - 11/18/08 11:45 PM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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If you want to only do it on a small scale you could always use the bath, a pillow case, temperature probe and boiling water from the geyser, just set the temperature higher on the geyser. once the water is in the bath keep it hot by insulating with some bubble wrap. You can always top up as needed.
-------------------- One of these days all the answers will be revealed until then we learn from each other! www.mushrush.co.za
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jjb007

Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 338
Loc: Near Philly
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: solumvita]
#9271097 - 11/19/08 07:16 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
solumvita said: If you want to only do it on a small scale you could always use the bath, a pillow case, temperature probe and boiling water from the geyser, just set the temperature higher on the geyser. once the water is in the bath keep it hot by insulating with some bubble wrap. You can always top up as needed.
the geyser? Not sure what you are referring to here...
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b3jamboree
yes we have no portabellas


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 423
Loc: 45th Parallel, MI
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: jjb007]
#9271123 - 11/19/08 07:23 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Careful what kind of propane burner you buy. From my experience the cheap ones are shit. If you are going to use it alot just spring for a nice one.
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solumvita
Q.B.E.


Registered: 02/12/08
Posts: 2,061
Loc: South Africa
Last seen: 7 months, 18 days
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: jjb007]
#9271131 - 11/19/08 07:26 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
jjb007 said: the geyser? Not sure what you are referring to here...
The device that is used to generate hot water for household use.
-------------------- One of these days all the answers will be revealed until then we learn from each other! www.mushrush.co.za
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Paresthesia
Stranger



Registered: 07/02/08
Posts: 1,090
Loc: Texas
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: jjb007]
#9271180 - 11/19/08 07:49 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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The typical washing machine has a hot water cycle of 140F. I read this suggestion on another board. Put the straw in pillow cases, tie them closed and put them in the washing machine on "soak." This works better if you have a machine without the paddle thing. It's pretty well insulated compared to a bath tub, and you can always add a bit of boiling water if the temperature drops. If you had one of those digital probe thermometers with the external display, you could leave the probe in the washer and still close the lid. Maybe lay some towels over the lid.
This would probably do alright with straw that had been soaked and rinsed already. I don't know how well a washer can handle the inevitable particulate matter, even through a pillowcase. I would not recommend this for horse manure.
-------------------- "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T. S. Eliot
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denger
Mycelium keeper



Registered: 09/19/08
Posts: 1,177
Loc: Unites States of Dreams
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: What techniques do you guys use for pasteurizing straw? [Re: solumvita]
#9271253 - 11/19/08 08:18 AM (15 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
solumvita said:
Quote:
jjb007 said: the geyser? Not sure what you are referring to here...
The device that is used to generate hot water for household use.
... Also called the water heater
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