grain jar set up help please!

[dimension traveler]

HI everyone I would like to start a cultivation again it's been a year and I have only done pf cakes. Anyways I would like to set up quart jars using organic rye berries. If anyone has done this can you tell me the best way (water grain ratio) and the best way to set up the jars to innoculate with a spore print. or is agar a must? any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.

[Thre365ive]

If you're starting with a print, I would suggest that you make a syringe out of it. Agar isn't a must, but it is nice if you can do it.

As far as the grain prep, there are a million teks out there. Just search the vaults. Personally, I've never worked with rye, so I'll let someone else answer that part.

[larshroom]

What I do is measure 1 cup for every quart you are going to use, then add 1 more cup and put into a tall pot.

Fill the pot with water a couple of inches above the grain, swish around and pour the water out. Do this about 5 times until the water looks clean when draining.

Fill up with water one more time about 4 inches above the grain and let soak 12 to 24 hours.

After the soak, drain the water, and fill with clean water 4 or 5 inches above the grain and bring to a boil striring occasionally.

Once at a boil, keep cooking for 10 to 15 minutes or until you start seeing cracked grains.

Pour the water/grain into a strainer (run cold water in the sink so you dont ruin the pipes.)

I pour from one strainer to another several times.

When completely dry, load grain into jars no more than 3/4's full.

I have a hole with polyfill in my lid, then I cover the top half with foil and pc at 15psi for 70 minutes.

When the pc is done, let out the steam and let cool over night.

Open the pc, shake the jars good, put in a glove box and inoculate.

[ishkaboo]

Yep.

Get yourself some plastic lids and synthetic filter disks to make the lids. Make a hold in your lid and make a silicone injection port there. Now, make another hole and fasten the filter disk covering the hole, effectively making a filter. That would be the best jar setup IMO.

You can buy both the plastic lids (http://sporeworks.com/store/product....4&cat=0&page=1) and the synthetic filter disks (http://sporeworks.com/store/product....5&cat=0&page=1) from our good sponsor sporeworks. Both are very affordable. You can cut the filter disks to whatever size you need.

I would recommend this method of prepping your grain once you have your jars and lids in order.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/holding-...-rye-prep.html (Quick step rye prep)


edit:

This thread was also posted today. You might learn something from reading over it. http://forums.mycotopia.net/fungi-gr...rye-grain.html (Question bout rye grain..)

[dimension traveler]

yea I like the plastic lid and synthetic filter disk idea but can you pressure cook at 15 psi with them on the jars? also can the silicone be pc as well? thank you for your help.

[MLBjammer]

Yes, filter disks can be PC'ed. And so can silicone as long as it is the high-heat stuff (RTV and other heavy duty brands--I use GE Silicone II) once you let completely cure. The stuff I use is ready in 24 hours; others might have a shorter cure time. Good luck.

[ishkaboo]

I just use regular silicone sealant from lowes. It doesn't say it is made specifically for high heat, but it pressure cooks just fine. Actually, after the PC it feels more solid than it does before it goes in. Never had a problem yet.

[MLBjammer]

If you read the tiny writing on the tubes, it will say whether it's for high-heat applications. I believe most brands are rated for 400 F nowadays, but there are always exceptions, I reckon.