Preparing your own grain spawn in jars is an economical way to produce mycelium in bulk quantities, while keeping some separation between the “cakes” in case any contamination is introduced. The White Millet Grain Spawn Tek is easily accessible and suitable for home cultivators, and you can use either an Instant Pot Duo or a pressure cooker to sterilize the jars.
This tek differs from our WBS tek in that it requires a long soaking step, to germinate endospores and prevent contamination of the final jars. However, the drying step is eliminated.
The process will result in 4-5 sterilized jars for each 2-3 jars of dry millet. I would recommend repeating the process about 3 times, to yield 12 jars.
Please ensure that all your equipment and utensils are clean prior to preparing your grain jars.
You Will Need
- Instant Pot Duo or pressure cooker
- White Millet (available at your local feed store)
- Large stock pot
- 5-gallon bucket with lid
- Scoop with holes
- Colander or large strainer
Read First
Soaking the Millet
Add about 16 cups of millet to your bucket. I use a cheap measuring cup and add 4 scoops. Add about a gallon and a half of water to the millet, until it is covered about 5 inches above. Lots of husks, dirt and potentially other seeds will float to the top. Stir the millet around and get as much to the top as you can. Then, scoop the floaters off and discard. Repeat these steps until a minimal amount of grain is left floating at the top.
Place a lid loosely on top and allow the millet to soak for 18 hours.
Washing the Millet
After the millet is done soaking, the water will have taken on a noticeably darker color. Pour the water off the top and add new changes of clean water. You should do this about 5-6 times until the color is gone. Then, strain all the water off the millet and clean your bucket out for next time.
Flash Cooking the Millet
Fill up your large stock pot about halfway with water. If you wish to add gypsum at this time, you may, about 2 tablespoons.
Bring the water to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat, add the millet and cover. The millet should now sit in the hot water for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, drain the water off the millet in a strainer, and transfer it back to the pot for immediate transfer to jars.
Filling the Jars
Using a scoop, fill each jar up to about halfway. Now you can add a modified lid and a ring to each jar, and cover the lid with aluminum foil to prevent the filter paper from getting wet during sterilization.
Sterilizing the Grain Jars
You may now sterilize 4 jars to a time in your Instant Pot Duo using the same technique from the WBS tek, or in a pressure cooker at 15 psi for 1.5 to 2 hours.
These jars may be prepared up to a week in advance, stored in a room temperature area with the foil still tenting the lid. Remove the foil before using the jar, and do not use the jar until it feels completely cool to the touch, typically after 8-12 hours.
