Glove Box. Open Oven Method. etc...

[kouun.no.hoshi]

I read around and got different methods of sterilizing the environment.

Such as making a box with Plastic Wrap on top, and cutting holes on the side to put gloves through, but one question is, how do you sterilize everything around it, for instance, taking the jars and putting them into the box wouldn't that cause contaimination? How would you sterilze the inside of the box, and do you do that before or when the jars are in the box?

Second method, I hear was pulling out the bottom rack of the oven and putting the temperture on the lowest heat, and innoluating the jars like that. Does that raelly work, and if it doesn't has anyone tried it and it's per say more successful that the glove box method?

i'm doing it all for my first time, and I'm going to try my best to not deal with any contaimination problems, just because I know it's going to happen >.<

And lastly.... How many cc's do I put into each hole? I have 1/2 pint jars, with 4 holes in each. and I have 2 syringes 12ccs each

[kouun.no.hoshi]

bump bump ^^

[LegalAlien]

What does it mean?

[Heatsink]

So clean everything once while pressure cooking , glove box, tools, the whole room your working in. You can't eliminate ALL contaminates but, the cleaner the work area and equipment the better chance for success. Then spray the inside of the glove box, I do not recommend the oven method, your cutting corners by working in open unsterilized air, do what you want though. Let the air in the glove box settle. When the jars are cool, slowly move them to the glove box, try not to make sudden movements, that stirs up dust and mold. Once you put all the jars you can fit in the glove box leaving you self plenty of room to work while inoculating. Spray 91% rubbing alcohol or 10% bleach water in the box to ensure that any thigh that got in there when you put the jars in will be dead. Let the box alone for a while so the air in it can settle. Then slowly innoculate each jar. Think about how mold and bacteria spread through the air. If there's a breeze it stirs up all kind of crap from the surfaces of the room redistributing the contams. There are many docs and threads on proper sterilization teks on the web, check out shroomtalk on the web there lots of good info there.

And secondly please do not waste thread space "bumping". People will answer you as so as they are able, this is still a small forum and it hard to live and post at the same time all the time, just be patient, you'll get a reply- No need to bump.

1cc per jar if the syringe is heavy with spores (you can see the spores in the syringe, the will be lots, it won't look like just tinted water)) 1/4cc per hole.
Or do 1/2 cc per hole for faster colonization or weaker syringes, do not exceed 2cc per 1/2 pint jar. you'll just be wasting spores and could cause the outside of the cake to colonize too fast leaving the center uncolonized and prone to contams.
Standard you should get 24 jars out of the two syringes or 18 for faster colonization.
Sterilize with 10% bleach water or 91% rubbing alcohol in a little spray bottle, all can be bought at walmart, the spray bottles are like a dollar in the travel personal care items.
The oven tek is possible but more risky,
Don't cut corners when growing mushrooms, I did the first two batches both ended in near complete failure, follow the tek your using to the T and youll be okay. Google: sterile technique for mushroom cultivation and/or search at the other shroom forums for ways get sterile environments. This is the one major key factor for success for the new guys.
Good luck and please remember that we will reply to your questions as soon as we are able, we have live outside the board to manage also.

[NHMI]

good post Heat

[LegalAlien]

Besides very expensive commercial glove boxes, there isn't much choice on the Web, but I found one simple "shrooming" glove box for sale for $50. It's a simple plastic container with nice holes for hands, and it comes with gloves and hand gators. Do you think it's worth spending $50 on a glove box?

And thank you, Heatsink, now I know what bump bumping means!

Alien

[Heatsink]

I don't know. I bought a kit that came with a glove box and for what I paid altogether it was a total rip off. Do the math on the materials. Your paying 50-75% just for them to build it and send it to you. IMO just build one you self. Its cheaper and you can design it to your needs. You can get any size of tubs at W-Mart, gloves too. Get Clear or buy plexi glass so you can see in it. If you budget right it'll be a lot cheaper and better cause you know what you need and want, rather than some company trying to make bucks off those who think there something special to these kits.
When I bought my kit I thought I was getting a deal. FC, glove box, incubator, jars, ect. the whole works. Except I paid way, way to much for it. At the time my ability to surf the web was limited because my computer way super old. The value of the kit not including the pressure cooker and spores was $96, reported on the customs sheet. That means $600 - $700 was pure profit for them to gather the products, drill a bunch of holes and ship it. I was a damn fool then, Everything they sent me, except spores, I could have bought in town and built my self the way I wanted it. I've made quite a few changes to the original chambers.
Just look at pics and vidoes on the web, you'll know exactly what you need to build it. And the price will be cheaper, so that means you'll have more money for spores, jars, substrate, or to make mods to the glove box or FC. Trust me buying a chamber or glove box is a rip off, your paying out your ass for shit they buy at w-mart or target or lowes, or whatever. There's nothing special about these kits.

[LegalAlien]

Thanks a lot, Heatsink, for your in-depth answers. You are very helpful. I won't be buying any boxes! (I'm a novice, although not a kid anymore, but I would like to be a mushroom apprentice very much, so I'd like to succeed. I've had two very powerful experiences with shrooms, and found them very spiritual and helpful.)

Alien

[Maximillian1]

Jesus, I just cut two hand sized holes in the side of a large, clear rubbermaid storage bin and inoculate my jars inside that while wearing surgical gloves. Never had any problems with contamination yet. This is also where I cut up and case my cakes. I think some people are over thinking this and being way to careful and paranoid.

[LegalAlien]

You are absolutely right. I did the same (cheap Rubbermaid plastic box, two holes on the sides, used rubber gloves) and had no contamination on any of my 12 jars, inoculated on two different days.