A Still Air Box (SAB) allows mushroom cultivators to conduct sensitive mycological work in a sterile environment. It’s simple, inexpensive and much more accessible than a laminar flow hood.

It simply consists of a large plastic container and rubber gloves, and can be made in less than 10 minutes for under $20. Experts have used this nifty bit of tech for anything from mushroom cultivation to fungal ecology.

Preparation

For many home growers, a Still Air Box (SAB) is the first piece of equipment that they purchase or build to help reduce contamination when working with cultures. The basic idea of a SAB is an enclosed workspace that has a window to see into and two holes in the front where you can place your hands. The idea is to create a sterile environment that allows you to work with cultures without any contaminants settling on your gloves or transferring from your hands to the culture.

In order to make the most of a SAB, it is important that you follow a few simple guidelines. The first step is to clean and sanitize the box before you use it. You can accomplish this by using a sterile wipe. After that, you can put in your supplies and get to work. During this stage, it is also important to minimize disturbances and movements that can disrupt the airflow and allow contaminants to enter the SAB.

Creating a SAB is a very popular DIY project for mushroom cultivators because it can be completed on a budget. This is particularly true for those who are just starting out, as purchasing a professionally built Laminar Flow Hood can be quite expensive. Luckily, you can make your own SAB for about $100 with widely available parts and tools.

To start, you will want to find a plastic container that has a locking lid and is large enough to fit your arms. Next, take a white towel and soak it in water with some bleach. This will kill any bacteria that may be living on the surface. Next, wring the towel out so that it is completely dry and then place it inside the container’s locking lid. Make sure that the towel is centered and wraps around as much of the sides of the lid as possible. This will ensure that you can reach all of the arm holes with your fingers.

Finally, you will want to take some plastic sheeting that has been pre-cut and spray it with 70% isopropyl alcohol. After that, you will drape the plastic sheeting over the arm holes and tape it in place. The result is a SAB that is easy to clean, provides ample room for your arms and hands and will prevent any contaminants from entering the box.

Sterilization

A Still Air Box is a sterile workspace that allows for mycological work to be performed in an enclosed environment, keeping the surrounding area contaminant-free. It can be used for a wide variety of mycological tasks, including spore prints, agar transfers, cloning wild mushrooms, grain to grain transfer inoculations and more. A Still Air Box can be purchased or made at home. It is important to sterilize the box, utensils and materials before use to minimize contamination of the cultures. It is also a good idea to work in a laminar flow hood when transferring material into the box to further reduce the risk of contamination.

The most common problem associated with a Still Air Box is contamination introduced through the arm holes. The open holes allow non-sterile turbulent air to enter the work space, which can introduce contaminants that could ruin the culture being worked on. This can be avoided by covering the arm holes with a sterile plastic sheet when not in use and spraying them down with an aerosol disinfectant before using them. It is also a good idea to wear a mask when working inside the box to further reduce the likelihood of introducing contaminant particles through your breath and skin.

Another common issue associated with a Still Air Box is difficulty working with materials inside the box due to limited visibility and lack of dexterity. To overcome this, it is a good idea to practice with empty jars to build up dexterity before trying to work with actual cultures. It is also a good idea for cultivators to invest in a good quality microscope so they can clearly see their work as it happens, without having to remove the materials from the box.

A Still Air Box is an affordable way for cultivators to have a sterile environment to work in at home or in the field. It can be made at home or bought commercially, and is easy to sanitize for use. It should be regularly sanitized and disinfected using a 10% bleach solution or 70% isopropyl alcohol before each use.

Inoculation

Using a Still Air Box greatly increases your chances of successful mushroom cultivation. The box provides a shield against the turbulent air in your room and, when combined with sterilization techniques, ensures that only sterile air enters the workspace. It also allows you to work with your hands in a clean environment, which is an important consideration in mycology, especially when working with spores and other delicate materials.

A Still Air Box is a simple device that can be easily constructed at home. It consists of a clear container with two holes in the front that you put your arms through. The holes should be big enough to get your arms through but not so big that non-sterile air can enter. The box should also be sanitized with 70% isopropyl alcohol before use.

You can purchase a pre-made SAB, but it’s also very easy to make one yourself. Just get a large, clear plastic storage container and drill two holes in the front to fit your arms through. You can even use a hole saw attachment on a power drill to achieve this, but it’s better to buy a pre-made SAB, as the holes will already be cut out and not open to unsterile air.

Once you have your SAB ready, you’ll need to sanitize the surfaces that you’ll be touching in it. The box itself should be wiped down with isopropyl, and all the materials that you will use should be sanitized as well. This includes all your gloves, as well as the tools you will be using, such as a needle, syringe, and all-in-one bag or grain bag.

When you are ready to begin, put on your gloves and place the materials in the SAB. You’ll be ready to start a new step in your mushroom cultivation. Performing this step in a Still Air Box is crucial for reducing contamination, and it can help you avoid having to restart your project. Once you’ve sterilized your substrate, it’s time to add spores. This is a critical step in the process and will affect your results.

Monitoring

The Still Air Box is a simple, inexpensive way to work in semi-sterile conditions. It is similar to a Glove Box — it is a clear container with a window you can see into and two holes for your arms that go in through. Keeping your hands in and the outside environment out minimizes contamination and increases your chances of success with your mushroom cultivation.

The air inside the SAB needs to be as still as possible to minimize contamination from the spores, bacteria and viruses floating in the surrounding environment. To achieve this, the SAB should be closed and sterilized before use and positioned in a room free of drafts or rapid movements that could disrupt the still air environment.

You should also wear a mask while working in the SAB, as your breath and any particles expelled from your nose or mouth could introduce contaminants into the sterile environment. Finally, you should sterilize the towel that goes across the inside of your SAB’s locking lid. This towel should be damp, but not wet, so that it is easy to wipe clean and prevents the transfer of contaminants from your hands into the SAB.

If you find the SAB is not as sterile as you’d like, you can invest in a laminar flow hood that is designed to eliminate any contaminants in the surrounding air. However, a laminar flow hood can be expensive and requires special equipment to set up.

Those just getting started with their grow might find that the Still Air Box is more affordable and can be used as a temporary solution until they can afford to upgrade to a more permanent setup. One of the most common ways people make their own SABs is by converting clear plastic totes into mycology work stations using a hole saw kit. You will need to be careful when using the tool, as you may inhale toxic fumes while melting the plastic. You should also be careful not to injure yourself with the sharp edges that may occur when cutting and sanding.