Melting agar

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Merilyn1
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Melting agar

Post by Merilyn1 »

So I've had a student that has been a bit airy fairy about how many agar plates she was going to need. I cooked up enough agar for an extra 20 plates. I didn't want to pour it because I suspected I would be wasting 20 petri dishes. So I sealed up the (Schott) bottle and put it in the fridge.
Of course, she now needs the extra 20 plates. I have a bottle of solid agar that I need to melt but I don't have a microwave. I've tried sitting it in a water bath, but ours only goes to 70 deg. I've tried sitting it in very hot water. I still have a mostly solid bottle of agar.

Any suggestions?
emma.hunt
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Re: Melting agar

Post by emma.hunt »

Could you use a staffroom microwave?
paper towel underneth, and power at 50%
Merilyn1
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Re: Melting agar

Post by Merilyn1 »

I could wait until there's no teachers around! My agar is probably cleaner than what they've left behind in the fridge :giggle:
RosalieL
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Re: Melting agar

Post by RosalieL »

Can you use a stirring rod to smoosh it up a bit? Do you have a magnetic stirrer hotplate? Maybe put it in a large beaker/small saucepan (if you have one) in a waterbath on that? Then once it's melted enough to transfer to a conical flask, pop the magnetic bean in and stir straight on the hotplate. Good luck!
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superbug
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Re: Melting agar

Post by superbug »

place it back in the autoclave
Merilyn1
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Re: Melting agar

Post by Merilyn1 »

So, the stage was set - all teachers were on class. I snuck in with my bottle, zapped it a few times for one minute on 50% and voila! I have liquid agar. I did have to air out the staffroom before they got back :D
RosalieL
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Re: Melting agar

Post by RosalieL »

Merilyn1 wrote: 07 May 2021, 12:09 So, the stage was set - all teachers were on class. I snuck in with my bottle, zapped it a few times for one minute on 50% and voila! I have liquid agar. I did have to air out the staffroom before they got back :D
Great!!! I'm glad it worked out for you! haha they'll never know!
emma.hunt
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Re: Melting agar

Post by emma.hunt »

hahaha wonderful!
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Anna Z
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Re: Melting agar

Post by Anna Z »

Great you got it sorted..... I would have put it back in the autoclave if you have one.
Merilyn1
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Joined: 12 Mar 2013, 08:10
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Re: Melting agar

Post by Merilyn1 »

I was really trying to avoid the whole process of cranking up the autoclave. Microwave worked a treat. No one noticed the smell...
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