I Bought A Laminar Flow Hood

ExNavyInSTL

ExNavyInSTL

Well-Known Member
Plant of the Month
November 2023
This hobby is so much fun that I invested in a Flow Hood.

I'm not a handyman, so the DIY route would never happen.

With a budget of $400-ish, I looked around (including our sponsors) and found a few very nice options.

Mycology-Supply Laminar Flow HEPA Bio Hood Model 2 ended up being my choice.

This model is their "Model 1" (13" x 15") mounted on top of a Bio Hood cabinet.

Supposedly, this configuration creates a 24 x 24 of positive pressure workspace.

Other features they list are:
  • CNC plasma-cut aluminum construction.
  • 99.97% @ .3 micron HEPA filter
  • True Laminar Flow
  • Commonly available Replacement Filter (AP1518)
  • Mushroom Flow Hood
  • 110 Volts
  • Built-in blower
  • Built-in Internal LED lighting
  • 24" x 24" x 24" positive pressure cabinet with generous viewing window.
  • Made in USA
It was over my budget, but after an excellent Black Friday Discount, I got it for $525.00.

That seems pretty good, considering you get protected downward flow.

Considering the bulk of this unit, I expected shipping to hurt more than it did ($66.28).

After taxes, the final total ended up at $599.76.

Of course, I used PayPal's "no-interest if paid in 6 months" deal to ease some of the pain.

They are made to order, so I won't see it until 2-3 weeks from now (fingers crossed).

I'll be rocking out with Sammy "Agar" before I know it.


This is what the Model 1 looks like with an optional cover.

1699637805307.png


Below is the cabinet without Model 1.

1699637883786.png



Here are the two pieces married up.

1699638072589.png




 
That's what I am thinking as well.

I'm experiencing quite a few failures to spawn and contaminations. It would be more practical to test on Agar beforehand. Hopefully, it helps cut back on wasting all the spawn materials.

By the way, shout out to one of our sponsors here: @Spore Genetics

Website: Spore Genetics

I've had zero failures to spawn and no contaminations thus far from their spores.

My Blue Meanie Cube 5x Concentrated spores were super fast to spawn and are in the micro bins now.

The Maui Platinum (PES Hawaiian) looks just as healthy but is slower to spawn.

The same goes for their Thai Tanic (Thai Lipa Yai), which is healthy but slower.

There must be something to their "5x" concentrations.


Stoned Ape said:
I got a flow hood about a month ago 12x24 inch. Pure luxury compared to the still air box.
Click to expand...
 
It sound like you are well on your way now @ExNavyInSTL

I hope all works out well for you.

Be safe and grow well my friend,
Tok..
 
Wouldn't you know it ... it arrived today!

So far, I am impressed with the quality.

However, it's sheet metal, so be careful for cuts when setting it up.


Let's take a tour:

Below is the main "box" for the filter unit.

It's assembled all the way up before adding the "brain" unit.

The plexiglass comes well protected. I used my cheap latex gloves to deal with the part.

Of course, it won't be long until it has my nose and face grease all over it. :cool:

IMG_1724_Nik_openWith.jpeg



Let there be light ...

Same thing as above, but I dimmed the kitchen lights to show off the internal LED lighting.

IMG_1725_Nik_openWith.jpeg



Filter Unit from 3 Sides

IMG_1727_Nik_openWith.jpeg

IMG_1728_Nik_openWith.jpeg

IMG_1726_Nik_openWith.jpeg



The Whole Kit with the Filter on Backwards

I noticed the filter orientation after I sat down to make this post.

IMG_1729_Nik_Nik_openWith.jpeg




The sheet pan (26" x 18") was my idea. It's a $20 cheapie from Amazon.

The base-unit interior is pretty much 24" x 24."



Bonus: I Made Willy's Pasteurizing Unit

It is pretty basic, just a:
  • Heavy-duty container (I went a little smaller).
  • High-Temp Tubing (1/4" ID for my Presto)
  • Small Clamp for tubing and Pressure Cooker Nipple
  • High-Temp Gasket Material (same as homemade self-healing injection port)

His method includes a long-stem BBQ Thermometer (see small pic), which is centered on the lid, and then the Hight-Temp Gasket seals it to the lid.

1700962759242.png


However, I just used my "Meater," which is wireless and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.

1700962931036.png







IMG_1723_Nik_openWith.jpeg
 
In his video, he puts his substrate mix in a heavy-duty trash bag (field capacity) and ties it tight to keep steam-condensing water from permeating the media. In his case, the needle from the thermometer makes a tight seal.

In my situation, I just used mason jars with aluminum foil only to keep the "water" out since I had it to field capacity already going in.

My first time using it is going on right now.

It took a while for things to get moving. But now, it is cruising to near 150ºF. Soon, I'll have to figure out how to "throttle" it in the sweet spot for pasteurizing.

As you can see from this chart, it is taking too damn long. This certainly makes the bucket or ice chest method seem much more economical. You know, pour some boiling water in and check it the next day.

On the other hand, I'll know what exactly is going on in real-time.

The fun is in the experimenting.

1700967652716.png







Stoned Ape said:
The flow hood looks very well made. The stainless steel should be easy to keep clean. So with that pasturising u run steam through the substrate?.my little pressure cooker has done a good job but I am looking for a cheap way to do bulk.
Click to expand...
 
ExNavyInSTL said:
This hobby is so much fun that I invested in a Flow Hood.

I'm not a handyman, so the DIY route would never happen.

With a budget of $400-ish, I looked around (including our sponsors) and found a few very nice options.

Mycology-Supply Laminar Flow HEPA Bio Hood Model 2 ended up being my choice.

This model is their "Model 1" (13" x 15") mounted on top of a Bio Hood cabinet.

Supposedly, this configuration creates a 24 x 24 of positive pressure workspace.

Other features they list are:
  • CNC plasma-cut aluminum construction.
  • 99.97% @ .3 micron HEPA filter
  • True Laminar Flow
  • Commonly available Replacement Filter (AP1518)
  • Mushroom Flow Hood
  • 110 Volts
  • Built-in blower
  • Built-in Internal LED lighting
  • 24" x 24" x 24" positive pressure cabinet with generous viewing window.
  • Made in USA
It was over my budget, but after an excellent Black Friday Discount, I got it for $525.00.

That seems pretty good, considering you get protected downward flow.

Considering the bulk of this unit, I expected shipping to hurt more than it did ($66.28).

After taxes, the final total ended up at $599.76.

Of course, I used PayPal's "no-interest if paid in 6 months" deal to ease some of the pain.

They are made to order, so I won't see it until 2-3 weeks from now (fingers crossed).

I'll be rocking out with Sammy "Agar" before I know it.


This is what the Model 1 looks like with an optional cover.

1699637805307.png


Below is the cabinet without Model 1.

1699637883786.png



Here are the two pieces married up.

1699638072589.png
Click to expand...
Very impressive unit and fantastic deal. . Welcome to the fantastic fungus family @ExNavyInSTL. Looking 👀 forward to seeing all of your new 🆕 projects. CL🍀. :thumb: :woohoo:
 
If I may offer a suggestion, wrap the tote with space blanket to hold the heat in and it will come up to temp faster, @ExNavyInSTL (note it will cool slower as well). That stuff reflects 80% of the infrared back. Probably wear out after a few runs but it will tell you if I'm right or my "thought experiment" is off the rails, lol!
Flow hood is awesome as is the Myco Wily tek, btw. :thumb:
 
Great idea. This will be here between 0400-0800.

1700980977207.png

BeccaBuds said:
If I may offer a suggestion, wrap the tote with space blanket to hold the heat in and it will come up to temp faster, @ExNavyInSTL (note it will cool slower as well). That stuff reflects 80% of the infrared back. Probably wear out after a few runs but it will tell you if I'm right or my "thought experiment" is off the rails, lol!
Flow hood is awesome as is the Myco Wily tek, btw. :thumb:
Click to expand...
 
ExNavyInSTL said:
Wouldn't you know it ... it arrived today!

So far, I am impressed with the quality.

However, it's sheet metal, so be careful for cuts when setting it up.


Let's take a tour:

Below is the main "box" for the filter unit.

It's assembled all the way up before adding the "brain" unit.

The plexiglass comes well protected. I used my cheap latex gloves to deal with the part.

Of course, it won't be long until it has my nose and face grease all over it. :cool:

IMG_1724_Nik_openWith.jpeg



Let there be light ...

Same thing as above, but I dimmed the kitchen lights to show off the internal LED lighting.

IMG_1725_Nik_openWith.jpeg



Filter Unit from 3 Sides

IMG_1727_Nik_openWith.jpeg

IMG_1728_Nik_openWith.jpeg

IMG_1726_Nik_openWith.jpeg



The Whole Kit with the Filter on Backwards

I noticed the filter orientation after I sat down to make this post.

IMG_1729_Nik_Nik_openWith.jpeg




The sheet pan (26" x 18") was my idea. It's a $20 cheapie from Amazon.

The base-unit interior is pretty much 24" x 24."



Bonus: I Made Willy's Pasteurizing Unit

It is pretty basic, just a:
  • Heavy-duty container (I went a little smaller).
  • High-Temp Tubing (1/4" ID for my Presto)
  • Small Clamp for tubing and Pressure Cooker Nipple
  • High-Temp Gasket Material (same as homemade self-healing injection port)

His method includes a long-stem BBQ Thermometer (see small pic), which is centered on the lid, and then the Hight-Temp Gasket seals it to the lid.

1700962759242.png


However, I just used my "Meater," which is wireless and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.

1700962931036.png







IMG_1723_Nik_openWith.jpeg
Click to expand...
State of the art setup you got there, very cool. CL🍀
 
Change of Plans:

For those of you on the journey with me ...

I woke up this morning only to realize the thermal blanket does arrive until 0400 - 0800 tomorrow.

So, I cleaned up the jars and decided to go the "Dry" route in the oven.


The plan:

  • Run oven at 250ºF until the thermometers read 150ºF or so
  • Then back down to 170ºF
  • Once internal temps hit 160ºF - set the timer for 90 minutes
  • Cool Them Down
  • Get Busy with my Shoe Boxes in the LFH (if spacing works)
  • Then get that monster out of the kitchen to keep my marriage pasteurized ; )


I couldn't believe all of those jars fit.

I want the steam method to work, mostly because it keeps this hobby out of the kitchen

Although, if the oven is proficient at getting the same results it seems like a much cleaner way to go.

1701018277140.png



When I started, it was 10:44.

The ambient temp was about 72º center jar.

As you can see, I am "borrowing" my BBQ/Smoker Probes instead of the Meater.

The Meater has a limited battery life before getting back on the charger.

By the way, these wireless Temp Probes are fantastic if you cook SousVide style. They can be problematic on a BBQ grill if they end up in a direct line with flame or a flare-up. That's because they can only handle about 500ºF, which is fine if you offset your pit or plan for it somehow.

I'll track hourly times and report when complete.

1701018798087.png
1701018822673.png
 
Follow Up

The oven was highly efficient.

My game plan was to run at 250 until internal temps were 150 and then cut back to 170. Even with leaving the oven door open for a while to remove some hot air, the internals raced to 200ºF.

In the future, if I am not in a hurry, I might go 170 in the oven all through the process.

Another thought: if time is an issue, maybe 200 until 140, then go to 170, and include an open door for a short period.

As for the Steam Method, I have the thermal blanket, and I also bought some hi-temp foam insulation for the hi-temp silicone tubing.

Final Thought: The oven would be fine if I were only preparing enough substrate for one or two shoe-box containers.

Extra Final Thought: This experiment was for CVG, not manure. I wonder if reheating rehydrated manure adds a delightful fragrance to the home.

I just ordered a 5-gallon bucket of dry manure mix, so that experiment is on the horizon.
 
If I remember correctly, I created my LC from an LC syringe.

I didn't read the fine print when I bought my first batch of syringes. I just assumed everything was in a spore state.

I say this because when I bought my next batch, the little black dots of spores were very obvious.

What I shot into my LC Jar looked more like the puffy clouds, which is what the LC looked like when it matured.


BeccaBuds said:
Hey, @ExNavyInSTL, did you inoculate your liquid cultures with spores? If so, how long was it before you saw any colonization? Curious because I just shot my first ever jars of LC last Saturday and they look like they are barely getting going. :Namaste:
Click to expand...
 

Similar threads

SmokeyMacPot
How can I improve the air flow in air cooled light hoods?
Replies
6
Views
12K
FX Grower
F
Jackalope
Air cooled hoods
Replies
8
Views
779
MrSauga
MrSauga
J
Hood choice question
Replies
5
Views
1K
jakej941
J
D
Bought a new 1000w hps off ebay for $120
Replies
5
Views
1K
JJ Bones
JJ Bones
U
HTG EasyCool 6 vs. Euro Air Cooled Hood
Replies
10
Views
5K
Bandit420
B
Back
Top Bottom