Pouring a few new Petri dishes

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of pouring Petri dishes using agar, inspired by the practices shared in the video by Myco-Alan. Whether you're looking to save money on Petri dishes or want to ensure better sterility than generic options, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve effective results in your mushroom cultivation or microbiology projects.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Start by cleaning and sterilizing your workspace to minimize contamination.
• Spray down all surfaces, including your hands, with a disinfectant.
• Sterilize your scissors and any other tools you will use.

Step 2: Gather Materials

• Obtain high-quality Petri dishes; in this case, Celltreat grip ring dishes are recommended.
• Prepare your agar mixture. For this tutorial, a total of 1,000 mL of agar is prepared, which is suitable for approximately 40 plates.
• Use clean containers for pouring. Recycled milk jugs can work well for this purpose.

Step 3: Measure and Prepare Agar

• Measure 400 mL of agar for the initial pour and set aside an additional 200 mL for later use.
• Ensure that the agar is mixed thoroughly and is at the correct temperature for pouring.

Step 4: Pour Agar into Petri Dishes

• Open the Petri dishes carefully to avoid contamination.
• Pour the agar into the dishes, aiming for a consistent depth.
  • For 100 mm plates, you can expect to fill approximately 15 to 20 plates from 400 mL of agar.
• Monitor the amount of agar poured to avoid wastage.

Step 5: Seal the Dishes

• After pouring, consider using heat shrink bands to seal the Petri dishes instead of traditional methods like parafilm or tape.
• Heat shrink bands can provide a tighter seal, reducing the risk of contamination.

Step 6: Store the Dishes

• Once sealed, store the Petri dishes in a cool, dry place.
• Label the dishes if necessary, especially if you are conducting different experiments.

Conclusion

You have now successfully poured and sealed your Petri dishes for use in your projects. This method not only ensures better sterility but also provides a cost-effective solution compared to purchasing pre-made plates. For your next steps, consider planning your experiments and keeping track of the results for each batch of agar plates. Happy cultivating!