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Author Topic: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?  (Read 4910 times)

Offline alikocho

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Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« on: October 21, 2010, 12:52:34 am »
This may be out there somewhere, but I didn't find an answer. It's a quick question, inspired by looking at a load of empty White Labs vials and a desire to make some slopes.  I have the means to autoclave in my pressure cooker or pressure canner. Are the vials reusable for this purpose?
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Offline BrewArk

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2010, 12:59:45 am »
I've had the same thought, but after pulling some warped and shriveled PETE containers out of my dishwasher, I've been afraid of melting vials to the bottom of my pressure cooker.  Besides I can "borrow" glass culture tubes from work.
Beer...Now there's a temporary solution!

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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2010, 01:18:59 am »
If you're talking about autoclaving the tubes, yeah, they'll melt.  If you're just talking about adding autoclaved agar to them, it should be fine as long as you let it cool sufficiently before you add it to the tube.

On the other hand, glass tubes can be gotten cheaply.  I don't know what you'll do with 1000 of them, but these are inexpensive and (comparatively) in your area.  Add some parafilm and you'll be set for a long time. :)
Tom Schmidlin

Offline Hokerer

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2010, 08:32:01 am »
On the other hand, glass tubes can be gotten cheaply.  I don't know what you'll do with 1000 of them, but these are inexpensive and (comparatively) in your area.  Add some parafilm and you'll be set for a long time. :)

Here's the ones I use for slants...

http://www.cynmar.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=11527906

...come in packs of 12 for $5.50
Joe

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2010, 10:27:21 am »
Those are nice and would work really well.  Quite a bit more pricey than the others, but in more manageable quantities.  I mean, it's nice to get 1000 for $20, but then you have 1000 tubes . . .
Tom Schmidlin

Offline alikocho

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2010, 11:01:29 am »
Those are nice and would work really well.  Quite a bit more pricey than the others, but in more manageable quantities.  I mean, it's nice to get 1000 for $20, but then you have 1000 tubes . . .

...only giving rise to further comments about how much brewing related equipment is in the house.
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Offline flapjack

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2010, 11:16:19 am »
you could always turn them in for free stuff
http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/homebrew_customerclub.html
James
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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2010, 09:07:19 pm »
You need to autoclave for slants.
If you boil then they turn milky and you will lose seal from the cap.

After I use yeast from the vial I add some (20 ml) autoclaved 1035 wort and grow yeast in there.
It seams to be working.
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beveragebob

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2010, 04:50:55 pm »
Why not just clean them and sterilize with iodophor?

Offline Hokerer

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2010, 06:18:20 pm »
Why not just clean them and sterilize with iodophor?

Iodophor (Starsan, etc.) are sanitizers, not sterilizers.  For slants, since we're dealing which such small amounts, sanitization isn't enough.
Joe

beveragebob

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2010, 05:18:05 pm »
Isopropyl Alcohol? Vodka? Gin? ::)

Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2010, 04:02:12 pm »
Those are nice and would work really well.  Quite a bit more pricey than the others, but in more manageable quantities.  I mean, it's nice to get 1000 for $20, but then you have 1000 tubes . . .

...only giving rise to further comments about how much brewing related equipment is in the house.

I'd be more worried about the nosy neighbor who thinks I'm making crack.

Paul
Where the heck are we going?  And what's with this hand basket?

Offline wingnut

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Re: Empty White Labs Vials - reusable for slants?
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2010, 09:13:10 am »
Those are nice and would work really well.  Quite a bit more pricey than the others, but in more manageable quantities.  I mean, it's nice to get 1000 for $20, but then you have 1000 tubes . . .

...only giving rise to further comments about how much brewing related equipment is in the house.

I'd be more worried about the nosy neighbor who thinks I'm making crack.

Paul

Could always tell the wife they are for vodka shooters at her next party... and the party after that... and the party after that.... Hmm if we are going to throw that many parties, I had better brew some more beer!!  ;D
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