Hey I want to make a sterilizer for mycology from a 55 gal. drum that will do 15 psi. I have read that these drums are often used to hold pressurized contents above this pressure, so I think this is possible. I am thinking: an open head drum with a pressure regulator welded to the lid, heated by a large gas burner. Ideas? Please no 'omg ur gnna explode yourself!!' unless you actually know what you're talking about :p

15psi isnt an unreasonable pressure for a 55 gallon, how do you plan on sealing the open top? Weld on a plate? How about a door seal material?

I was thinking of using C clamps in case the lid couldn't hold itself. To clarify, an open-top drum means the lid can open.

you might want to use a rubber rim to get a tight fit.

in my early pneumatic spudguns, i find plastic on plastic would leak air

Metal-on-metal is also going to leak. Get a rubber rim for it.

omg ur gonna explode yourself







jk



Metal-on-metal is also going to leak. Get a rubber rim for it.

Unless you can do a really good weld(i could but it'd take a while).

Unless you can do a really good weld(i could but it'd take a while).

Getting an air-tight weld isn't the problem. You could even epoxy over any holes that you have. I was under the impression that the lid had to be removable, thus could not be welded.

How many pounds of mushrooms you planning on growing?

idk yet, this is still in the planning stage

You'd never be able to inoculate that much or keep that much media uncontaminated.

I'm inclined to feel this. By all means prove me wrong though.

You aren't just planning on doing a massive PF Tek though are you? There are better methods available for large-scale mushroom production.

Actually, I was planning on doing bags with a special substarte mix (google carlito bags). The giant sterilizer seemed like a good addition ;)

You're going way too big.

Ever even grown before?

No, but I have a mentor.