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i got a recent shipment of melanogaster mix. the stuff is finer than usual, like flour. when i mix it it gets clumpy. sticks to the spoon. i don't use boiling water like other people do. could this be the problem ? water is not hot enough.
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Try adding more water Walt. I used to use Josh's but now I make my own mix. The potato flakes I use aren't really flakes, they are really ground to a powder. It takes less mix and more water to mix it up propertly, but it lasts a lot longer. Of course if you use boiling water you'll get more absorption quicker
Jon
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1. Use very hot water....doesn't quite have to be boiling, but it should be VERY hot.
2. Clumping is ok, it happens....just eye-ball it up and add a little more water to bring it up to the proper consistency.
3. Sticking to the spoon ? Always happens for me.
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i have used room temp water and warmer temp water. the reason i don't use hot water is lately i am being clumsy and afraid i would burn myself.
clumping, it did clump before but not as much as before. i use the back of a soup spoon to mix it and with a tap it would drop off the "handle" part.
i will try to just more water in it. see what happens.
also i do measure it out. i have one of those scoops that you get with ice tea mixes.
i only make 2-3 cultures at a time. maybe one of these days will use the 2/3 cup mix instructions.
it is not really a big problem just a slight annoyance.
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I use Josh's mix. I use boiling water (1min 30secs in microwave) that I'll leave out for a few hours to cool down then I'll mix. I find it's a bit too pasty so I just use my hand mister and give it a little extra.
Jon
1.0.6 D. Leucomelas
0.0.2 D. Azureus
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Newest shipment of Josh's mix, The measurements aren't right on the bag. Says 1/2 cup of media and 2/3 cup of water. Not even close. I did exactly what it called for and culture crashed due to dry out. I'm now using about 1/2 cup of media to a little over 1 cup of water. Also hate how powdery it is. Makes a serious mess when scooping it out.
Jon
1.0.6 D. Leucomelas
0.0.2 D. Azureus
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ANY premade retail media still requires some experimentation. Water, temps ,seasonal factors, elevation (sea level) and humidity are different all over the country / world. Think cake or bread baking.
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Been using the suggested mixing ratio with the older mix without an issue until the most recent bag. I've found that almost soupy mix works best. I use a butter knife to mix and have it to the point where it falls off with a gentle tap.
Jon
1.0.6 D. Leucomelas
0.0.2 D. Azureus