DIY Agar Cup Alternatives

[@duglasbayr]

Thank you for running this experiment! 🤓

[@KitchenMycology]

You bet! 😎👍🏼🧪

[@TechGorilla1987]

I just got the pack of the condiment cups from Walmart. I got the 4oz mason jars but they're harder to work with in my opinion. I did the "no pour" with the mason jars. With the plastic cups, I am going to use a lab flask to PC the agar, then cool it in a water bath (sous vide) pot set at 151f to get to cooling temp. I may eventually get the nicer PP5 containers to try. Great subject.

[@KitchenMycology]

Yes. I like the "No Pour" method because they're no exposed to the air. You can let them cool down in the PC for a while and then take them out and tighten the lids even before you peel off the foil. I think the PP5 Cups are worth the money but you can use the other cups as well - the ones that don't melt. 😜

[@MostWantedOHA]

you wont need a bath to cool the agar it cools pretty quick , i try to pour around 140 , also if you stack the poured dishes you will rid most of the condensation or even place a cup w/ hot h2o on a condensed dish and the cond. will be rid of . Enjoy !!! Cheers !!!

[@MostWantedOHA]

@@KitchenMycology ive melted my share but the hobo flow hood fixed it !!! hahaha !!! Cheers !!!

[@TechGorilla1987]

This isn't relevant, but up till now, all I had was an EZPot knockoff to PC. My FIL just gave me a pressure canner that has been in the family since 1964 (that the date on the manual he has for it.) Its a 21 quart Sears and Roebuck pressure canner with a weight and a pressure valve. I stepped up in to the big leagues now. If I understand correctly, there are 2 more canners that I am going to get from him when he finds them. One is reported to be an All American electric 23 quart canner/autoclave.

[@KitchenMycology]

Woohooooooo!

[@TechGorilla1987]

@@KitchenMycology There is something satisfying about canning 7 quarts of grain in one go. The cheap cooker can do a quart jar partially balanced on it's side. 2 hours PER JAR is not worth my time.

[@KitchenMycology]

@@TechGorilla1987 I agree.

[@elizabethr2908]

Are acrylic jars safe in a pressure cooker? Your videos are so informative! I’m binge watching them 🙂❤️

[@KitchenMycology]

I don't think Acrylic will work in a PC. They tend to be brittle. PP5 is flexible. As you can see in the video, these PP5 (Polypropylene) cups are safe to pressure cook. I PC them for 30 minutes. I've used them for a while now over and over with great results.

[@robb.5035]

Another awesome video. Thanks!

[@raytry69]

The last two cups will be good to observe how quickly they became contaminated.

[@robb.5035]

Dear @KitchenMycology , When you're cultivating agar, do you store your PP5 petris with the lids screwed completely, or are they partially open for airflow? Thank you.

[@KitchenMycology]

I screw them tight (closed all the way) since I pull them out of the Pressure Cooker. Then store them face down as soon as the Agar is solid.

[@robb.5035]

@@KitchenMycology , Ok. Thank you.

[@nakefatty9167]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@KitchenMycology]

I'm glad to help! 😎👍🏼

[@TechGorilla1987]

@10:30 - IMA need a link for those cups. I'll bet that if you stacked them right out of the PC and put a cup of boiling water on the stack, you would have no condensation.

[@KitchenMycology]

a.co/d/37ZKBYk

[@SilencedByYoutube]

For the larger PP5 containers, I'm guessing you have to unscrew it slightly before leaving it upsidedown to release condensation? Should I leave them just on the countertop until then or should I be storing it in a larger plastic tote to prevent contamination from entering? Also, how long does it take normally for the condensation to go away?

[@KitchenMycology]

Yes. Screw the PP5 lids tight. Leave them upside and all condensation goes away in about 3 days. These lids are airtight so I leave them in a closet shelf. The other two, I put inside a small Ziploc bag. (Plastic container is fine). If you're not going to use fr awhile put them in the fridge and they'll last a while. Youll get some cnsendarion back in the fridge.

[@SilencedByYoutube]

@@KitchenMycology Oh so the condensation doesn't leave the container it just gets reabsorbed into the agar? Since it's airtight how is the condensation going away if the lid is closed tight?

[@KitchenMycology]

@@SilencedByKZbin That's my theory too: that the humidity gets reabsorbe into the Agar, because I don't think it can escape the closed container. I didn't use to care about condensation since it was always present in the cheap Ketchup Cups, but I noticed that if I didn't put these in the fridge right away, and just left them outside in ambient temperature, the condensation would clear up. So, as aways: Patience for the win! So it's either that, or some magical Alchemical Transmutation going on 😜

[@helpyourfellowhuman]

Subscribed my brother. 👍🏻

[@KitchenMycology]

Thank you brother!

[@Vellieveil_64]

Where can I get the cups from with the screw on lids. It was the only one you had agar in at the begging of the vid? Nice experiment

[@KitchenMycology]

These are the ones I use: a.co/d/8OTVf5T

[@Vellieveil_64]

@@KitchenMycology thx

[@patrickmemel3010]

Where can i by these cups?😅😝🤙

[@sporemuse]

Great experiment! & well done documentation ⚛️

[@KitchenMycology]

Thanks for the feedback brother! 🍄❤️

[@RetiredPTI]

You ommited what PSI you "cooked" them at. and the duration. Important info and makes all the difference

[@KitchenMycology]

@@RetiredPTI Hmmm. I missed that? That Instant Pot does about 13 PSI, and I ran it for 30 minutes. Here's my "No Pour Agar Cup video where I explain everything in detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r37dhGdra9iVh7M

[@KitchenMycology]

@@RetiredPTI I also have an Agar Playlist here: m.kzbin.info/aero/PLerR1zfM1CNkjP7pcGTccTTeLKEBdXVW6

[@RetiredPTI]

@@KitchenMycology What were the results of those agar plates, any contam? The general consensus is anything less than 15Psi doesn't full kill bacteria.

[@KitchenMycology]

​BTW, General consensus doesn't always reflect reality. I, and many many many others have been using with complete success the Instant Pots that go no higher than 13 PSI. If you're worried, you can add 5 to 10 muminites to the Sterilization Time. Now I'm using an 8 qt Instant Pot Pro/Max which does go up to 15 psi, but I use the same times that I use on my regular Instant Pot with the Max. In my Patreon, I shared a study where they tested the Regular Instant Pots ad found they killed bacteria etc just as well with no issues.

[@KitchenMycology]

@@RetiredPTI ​@LivingAloneWithCPTSD They were contam free. General consensus doesn't always reflect reality. I, and many many many others have been using with complete success the Instant Pots that go no higher than 13 PSI. If you're worried, you can add 5 to 10 muminites to the Sterilization Time. Now I'm using an 8 qt Instant Pot Pro/Max which does go up to 15 psi, but I use the same times that I use on my regular Instant Pot with the Max. In my Patreon, I shared a study where they tested the Regular Instant Pots ad found they killed bacteria etc just as well with no issues.

[@ilikefishing7858]

do you have a link for the plastic screw top containers please? 👌👍🏼🇬🇧

[@KitchenMycology]

@@ilikefishing7858 It's in the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3i6hJ2gob9gg7Msi=7M2H_fCR-YhKxFqA

[@KitchenMycology]

@@ilikefishing7858 You may also like the Agar Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLerR1zfM1CNkjP7pcGTccTTeLKEBdXVW6&si=xHf3YsGuZmpAGpai

[@joshhawn3988]

how much do those PC safe agar dishes cost? not the condiment cups but the actual dishes you put in the PC.

[@KitchenMycology]

I think it's about $11 for 20 cups. I'm not 100% sure though. The Amazon link is in the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3i6hJ2gob9gg7M

[@ANismo82]

Could you use something like star san?

[@KitchenMycology]

Star San Sanitizer? I'm not sure. I like to keep it simple, so I haven't tried it on anything. Sorry.

[@robb.5035]

Hello again. Since polypropylene survives high temperatures, what about using an oven to sterilize the pre-poured containers instead of a pressure cooker? 250° in the oven for 30 minutes seems more convenient. No? Thank you for your reply.

[@KitchenMycology]

Since the cups have a thin layer of Agar, they don't need much to sterilize - compare it to a big jar full of Agar... I haven't used the oven method so I don't know how long it would take. I have seen videos of people using the oven to sterilize Agar but I can't remember the details. The pressure of the PC is much more effective at sterilizing than the oven. A Steamer Pot is another option: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKbGgWOcbdB4aqc

[@robb.5035]

@@KitchenMycology , Ok. Thanks again.

[@kosmika_didjeridoo]

How you colour your agar in blue? :)

[@KitchenMycology]

@@kosmika_didjeridoo A drop of Food Coloring. See here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r37dhGdra9iVh7M

[@MostWantedOHA]

build yourself a box fan flow box w/ a merv 13 house filter and use a prefilter to have the merv 13 filter last longer . i hated the sab . everything changed after the box fan setup . i use blu paintres tape for everything . you will not be disappointed . thanks !!! oh i get my mer 13 filters from wally world ...''''

[@KitchenMycology]

@@MostWantedOHA Yes. Some of my friends use the box fan setup. I don't mind the SAB at all though.Idon't use it enough to warrant using something more complicated. Also, I use it on all my videos to show people how do it cheap and simple. Thanks for the input!

[@jayhovah5621]

Do you open the lid to innoculate or stab the top and seal with micropore tape?

[@KitchenMycology]

These PP5 Cups that I prefer, are thick hard plastic, so you wouldn't be able to poke through them. Nevertheless, I never poked the Ketchup Cups either. I just open, inoculate, and close quickly, inside my Still Air Box, of course.

[@jayhovah5621]

@@KitchenMycology awesome! That's the easier answer in my opinion.

[@KitchenMycology]

BTW, I like the old broom on your user thumbnail 😂

[@jayhovah5621]

@@KitchenMycology ha! appreciated. It's been my pfp Pic for over a decade. Never intend to change 😂

[@dummkompf]

where to find those containers?

[@KitchenMycology]

In the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r37dhGdra9iVh7M

[@dummkompf]

@@KitchenMycology TY. So I guess the lids form a good seal? Doesn't the mycelium need to breathe? normal petri dish lids don't seal, and people wrap them with parafilm to keep contaminants out while allowing the dish to breathe.

[@KitchenMycology]

@@dummkompf Exactly. These seal completely, so there's no need for parafina tape or anything. The Mycelium doesn't need FAE in Pitri Dishes. Actually, the Ketchup Cups also seal. Put water in them and test them out...

[@mohammadgaben2532]

How many times you can use the cups?

[@KitchenMycology]

I don't know, but I've been using them for a couple of years. They hold up really well. 😎👍🏼🍄

[@SergioSantana-je1yy]

Ebay link for cups?

[@SergioSantana-je1yy]

🙏🏻

[@KitchenMycology]

@@SergioSantana-je1yyI added the links at the end of the video description. See Also: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r37dhGdra9iVh7M

[@SergioSantana-je1yy]

@@KitchenMycology thanks bro

[@KitchenMycology]

@@SergioSantana-je1yy You got it. 😎👍🏼

[@anonharingenamn]

I simply cannot find those screw-lid jars in Europe. It's a shame.

[@KitchenMycology]

That sucks! I don't know where you are, but they don't sell them on Amazon UK? They are intended for storing beads etc. They will have the recycling icon with a 5 in the middle...

[@anonharingenamn]

Yeah I've been looking, sadly the UK has left the EU so I don't order anything from them anymore. I can find identical snap-lid PP5 cups you showed in another video though!@@KitchenMycology

[@KitchenMycology]

@@anonharingenamn those will work, as you saw, but they're not the best option. You have to always store them in a Ziploc. These PP5 have an airtight seal. Or resign yourself to pour after PCing. And you can use the cheap Ketchup/Condiment Cups that are easy to find. 😔