Here’s an idea: create a bulk substrate pasteurizer with a discarded Richard Simmons Steam Heat Cooker (manual here) and a couple of used bins from the Sally Ann. This ended up working way better than my old wet pasteurization method: ie. simmering in a a tub of water on a propane burner. With that the temperature was hard to control and manure substrates were always over saturated. With the RSSHP™, the substrate came out at perfect field capacity (just like it went in) and it cooled to a usable temperature much faster. I suspect less nutrients are lost in the steaming process, and I bet Richard Simmons would agree.
BREAKING NEWS I’ve made some improvement in the design! Check-out the New Improved RSSHP™
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- Richard Simmons Steam Heat Cooker with out the cooking containers. Aquired for free at the dump reuse centre!
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- Big Tub with a lid and holes drilled in the bottom. $4.50 at the Salvation Army.
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- Grocery bin/ laundry basket with extra holes. $4.50 at Sally Ann.
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- Manure and straw mix in the Pasteurizer
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- After half an hour on three burners the substrate is up to 166F. Two burners kept it at that temp for an hour.
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- The RS Steam Heat Pasteurizer in action. Keep an eye on it as the water will require replenishment.
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- …and The RS Steam Heat Pasteurizer all fits together for easy storage.
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- Spawn can be transferred to bags and mixed with the bulk substrate in open air, because it is pasteurized, not sterilized.
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- After just a couple of days the mycelium is jumping off onto the pasteurized manure/straw mix
You can buy these babies on-line – just do a search.
