The second video in my Your Home Yeast Lab Made Easy video series is on how to build and use an alcohol lamp - a key piece of equipment required for any home yeast lab.
One of the most important tools for any yeast or bacterial culturing lab is a powerful flame source. Traditionally, scientists have used a Bunsen burner, but these tools are expensive and can be unsafe in the home environment. A safer (and cheaper) alternative is the alcohol lamp. Like a Bunsen burner, these lamps generate a flow of air which provides you with a clean space that is relatively protected from contaminants in which you can open yeast samples, tubes of fresh petri dishes, and so forth. In addition, the flame itself can be used to sterilize some of the equipment used for yeast culturing. This is a must-have tool for the home yeast lab!
Hey, thanks a lot for the great video!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what the height of the clean working area would be from the flame? For example, if I was inoculating a 3l Erlenmeyer flask what would be the best technique using an alcohol lamp? As they are quite tall. Could one lift the lamp up to get a higher coverage?
I'm not sure what the height is, as it would depend on your lamp (larger flame = larger/higher work area). With something as big as a 3L flask I would suggest placing the lamp on something to raise it up - you'd probably want the flame at mid-flask level.
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