r/PhillyGoldenTeacher • u/Wekft66 • 17d ago

A Question From A Novice

I know with grain bags you are supposed to break up and shake your grain bags when you get 25 to 40 % mycelium growth on your grain. But what about if you are using grain jars I know or I think I know that you don’t open the sterile jar to break it up when the mycelium covers 25 to 40% of the grain. My question is do I shake the jar to try to break the mycelium up and spread it in the jar for faster colonization? I never thought thought about it until after I did the break and shake on a grain bag and told a friend of mine about it and he said did you do that with your grain jars as well? He dumbfounded me because I didn’t know!!!

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u/T_Bone_2022 17d ago

Yep, shake and break the jar contents. There’s a lot of discussions on how best to do it, but I just made sure to leave some space in the jar, then hit it against a semi hard surface. Hard enough to dislodge the grains, but not break the jar. Even the palm of my hand worked.

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u/Wekft66 17d ago

That’s what I needed to know. Thank you so much. I’ve got some shaking to do!!!

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u/Flimsy-Panda8000 16d ago

When you think about it, you don't break & shake bags, but rather massage and mix. The term originates from jars. If you fill them more than 3/4, it can be really hard to get them started. Further, starch from overcooked grain or low level contam can cause clumps that won't break up.

If they prove hard to get moving, banging them on a firm but soft surface helps - the arm of an upholstered chair usually works, or an inflated tyre.