Cheap flasking supplies

[SteveT]

I was at a dollar store and saw a 12" pair of tweezers. Guess how much I paid.

I decided I wanted some autoclavable bags so I could keep equipment sterile and not have to autoclave it everytime i want to use it. So I began a search. And I found that you can use the plastic bags from _____________ grocery. They won't melt at 250'.

A little bit of sterno in a small shallow pot works wonders for cramped gloveboxes.

A lot of "disposable" gladware is cheap and polypropylene. Better yet, some of the "hard" stuff is polycarbonate, and the gaskets are polyprop rubber and won't get destroyed in the autoclave.

Instead of motherflasks, glass petri dishes. Boy you save room on space.

Also, I'm thinking about building a new flow hood. However, I don't have any of my shop tools in this city. So I'll have to be creative, and thrifty.

I'm sure I'll think of more. What have you found?

[horse2755]

Great ideas...

[horse2755]

I was wondering if regular small canning jars and lids can be used for mother flasking??? My concern is the seal on the lid. Is it glue and does it effect growth?

[ATester]

I was wondering if regular small canning jars and lids can be used for mother flasking??? My concern is the seal on the lid. Is it glue and does it effect growth?

Actually that is what I have been using the entire time with alot of sucess. Inexpensive and will keep a seal longer than you need...just think of how long canned foods last, and those seals haven't been compromised.

[horse2755]

Thanks Atester

I bought some 1/2 pint jars that will be perfect.

[mdclark]

Kudos for bargain hunting!! I plan to use petri dishes for mother flasks, should they be sealed with parafilm or stacked and back into the bag? I'd like to use the standard 100x15mm, sterile plastic, because they are cheap and readily available. Any suggestions on how much media to use for this?

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Petri dishes do not give you good seal even if you seal them with parafilm, unless you have access to a very good sterile lab or environment. They are more likely to get contaminated with mold, which is the kiss of death of orchid seed germination and flasking. My 2 cents!
Cheers. Hoa.