spawn bags~ the elusive goal

[snailsnot]

SO, ive have just recently been working with spawn bags. I tried the "quick soak wbs filter bag tek" but decided the grain didn't need additional water after the soak--so none was added to the bags. Several bags suffered blowout--pretty sure psi was too high & trying them again shortly. Those first ones, after sealing and cooling, have quite a bit of condensation on the sides, the grain looks wet, but no pooling water--still, this condensation worries me. Further, i intend to try innoculation with a mycelium slurry from a petri dish and water--about 60ml per bag. Worried this will majorly F*** the water content--we'll see, we'll see...
You think this heavy condensation is alright?? --peace

[Myc]

Any word back on those bags?
How'd they turn out?

[snailsnot]

thanks fer askin! Innoculated via LC. Bottom areas show light growth. Top grains looked dry. Gave em a shake. Making some tonight and I'll add some water-- as the tek says to-- hmm maybe a cup per bag. My second run had about as many blowouts as the first with only half making it. Reducing the psi's on tonight's run, and using different bags. Tried bags a long time ago and just gave up on em...

[Myc]

I use Doc's wild birdseed tek and just load it into the bags.
Works perfectly every time.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/wild-bir...-seed-tek.html (Doc's Wild Bird Seed Tek)

I never load more than three quart jars' worth of grain in each large spawnbag.
Do not impulse-seal the bags prior to pc
Rather, roll the top down and secure with a binder clip/ clothespin or tape

I pressure cook 3 spawnbags at a time (each with 3 quart jars' worth of grain inside)
Approx. 1hr 15 min @ 15 psi
Allow to cool in front of flowhood,
Innoculate and seal

With such a large amount of grain, I only use other colonized grains for rapid colonization.
Reasonably large amounts of LC would work too - If using LC, I would add some dried vermiculite to the grain prior to pc'ing

Do a test at home.
How much LC do you plan to use?
Get an amount of water equal to the intented LC amount -
And see how much verm is required to soak it up.
Add a little bit less than that amount of verm to your grain spawnbags prior to pc as a buffer for excess moisture in the future

Bags are the only way to go.
I rarely use any other type spawn container other than the occasional quart jar.
When I'm really lazy, I just make compost bags, pasteurize and fruit them rather than mess with tubs/trays.

Good luck on your next run.