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.
i really like this idea 🙂
I am using this right now as a matter of fact. I have more to add to this post. I have since insulated this unit and put the whole ting inside another bin to contain the steam. Substrate comes up to temp much faster and stays longer with less stream.
I’ll post it on the Tech site once I add the new features.