How to Make No-Pour Agar Plates for Growing Mushrooms

This method of making re-usable agar plates is super easy and reliable. You don't need a laminar flow hood or still air box to pour the agar plates because they are poured before sterilization. The twist top eliminates the need for parafilm around the edges. I have not noticed any problems from lack of air exchange for the short term. If you plan on using them for longer term storage i would loosen the lid and wrap in micropore tape or parafilm.

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#mushrooms #agar #mycology

[JinTalzeus]

Nice, I first saw these containers being used by Mossy Creek. They provided a bulk warehouse link that is way too costly for me. Thanks for sharing this Amazon link. Will try!

[peterbaryshnikov]

Ive been using this technique for a couple months. I ended up saving a good amount of money but it was a bit challenging for a novice at sterile technique. The drawbacks are condensation and difficulty working with one hand.

For condensation: When my plates leave the cooker they are stored upside down so any residual water falls to the lid. When I use a plate I unscew it upside down and right it. Then I let the water drip off the lid before I screw it on.

One handed: When I use traditional petri dishes its so much easier because one hand can hold a scalpel and one can manipulate the plate. Unscrewing these with one hand is possible but it takes a little dexterity.

Keep in mind that these are smaller than petri dishes so I typically use the whole plate to innoculate grain.

Buy more than you think you’ll need and buy your agar mix in bulk to actually save money.

[Sazerac]

Another Banger! Love the different methods you showcase, especially those that help save money while streamlining workflow. 💪

[DarkOrders]

Hey! I got some of those twist tops too :D I made a hole on the center of them as well and put a self healing injection port on them too for easy inoculation :D

[Michelle_Collie]

Its been amost a year, are you still using these or did you go back to the reg petri dishes. Because I see your new videos with petri dishes.

[fungalfangirl]

Omg, I'm obsessed with your mushroomy heat mat!!

[therabbithole]

I love this, its a great way to cut down on the waste we produce. What are your thoughts on how thick that your agar is? Is that just using what you make or do you actually like it that thick? I usually pour my plates about 2mm and ketchup cups are thicker which I like for keeping samples longer. Keep up the great work.

[ZombieSnax]

Lolz amazon needs to give you a discount, since you shared those twist tops everyone bought them all up. Its been 3 weeks and they stay sold out .😂.

[ashboom]

thanks for this video! typically use ketchup cups since they're easily accessible for me and less hassle than the petridishes but these look fantastic. I'll definitely be giving them a try, are they able to be sanitized and reused?

[MissHelium]

Great idea I will try it 🙌
Thank you for the video

[SkornClawYT]

(1st Question) How long can you wait between pouring these and pressure cooking them (2nd Question)How long can you store them after pressure cooking before you use them in a SAB or in front of a Flow Hood. And would you recommend learning to do Agar or Liquid Culture Method first? (I know people often use Agar to LC, or Agar to Grain). I'm Currently Working on growing Yellow Oyster Mushrooms with your instructions!

[ChuckNoctis]

The poured small ketchup cups, do you store those with the lid on and in room temperature?

[davidsanchez-rsnp]

Hey men ! I already tried with these plates in a presión cooker, however, when i opened it after cooled down all the plates were deformed from the pressure and the agar was still liquid. Any idea why?

[waking_up_lions]

I just received everything I need to start making my own agar, and have a question for you. Did you have to wash these re-usable containers before you use them?
Also, how long can I store these once poured, and how should I store them? I have some slants that just came in but I need to do some transfers to plates before I use a slant to ensure there is no contamination.

[chili_]

I use instant pot 11, 6 psi. So i guess more time is needed in PC? 45 min?

[kevinsmith]

I’m a newbie and my agar is white except for a few dots of dark brown spots close to the edge and the white is in middle where I squirt the LC. ?

[jeremyjetson]

Will they last 45+ mins at 15psi, say if I wanted to sterilize some grains at the same time?

[hardstylestrength]

Could you do this with glass petries and parafilm? Just load them up before sterilization?

[Kylex]

Could I use these cups and make modified lids for them?

[angelomespinoza]

like your agar content! Are you from SagNasty? i grew up there