A better mushroom growing kit for home growers
Mushrooms continue to have their moment, and now is the best time to learn how to grow them in the convenience of your own home with North Spore’s new Boomr Bin grow system. Indoor grow chambers are the standard for home mushroom cultivation, and our Boomr Bin is easy to put together, takes up little room, and allows for fast colonization speeds in addition to boasting a modular design with optional attachments for humidity control and fresh air exchange; critical factors for mushroom growth. In this guide, we'll show you what makes the Boomr Bin the right choice in home mushroom cultivation and offer a step-by-step guide for its use.
Boomr Bin features
- Food-grade materials are FDA-approved for contact with consumables
- Compact durable design holds up to 25 pounds of substrate
- Latches attached to base to prevent lid from popping off when picking up
- Extra large latches with recessed grips for easy lifting and transport
- Large rounded corners for easy cleaning and fewer places for contaminants to hide
- Row of 1” holes placed lower in lid for CO2 dispersal
- Black light-blocking base helps colonization and aids in preventing side pinning
- Modular design accepts automated air exchange and humidification systems
- Dimensions: 22”(W) x 15”(D) x 11”(H)
What can I do with a Boomr Bin?
Mycology is the study of fungi, and growing in a clean, contained environment designed for mushrooms is the perfect way to get up close and personal with these fascinating organisms. The Boomr Bin is designed for the cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms using either manure-based and hardwood-based substrates. Its potential for innovation is limitless, with opportunities to explore different substrate/species combinations as well as growing techniques, allowing you to embark on your mushroom growing journey with ease and confidence. Currently we are offering Boomr Bin bundles for both dung-loving species and hardwood-loving mushrooms in addition to solo Boomr Bin monotubs for home mushroom cultivation.
Using your Boomr Bin
A single Boomr Bin bundle comes with the following components:
• (1) Boomr Bin Mushroom Monotub (lid and base)
• (3) Boomr Bag or Wood Lovr Substrate (5 lbs each)
• (1) Organic Sterilized Grain Bag with Injection Port (3 lbs)
• (1) Coco coir casing layer (2 lbs)
• (2) Sheets of self-adhesive filters (1” and 2”)
You will also need:
• Spore syringe or liquid culture syringe
• Bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Nitrile gloves
• Two spray bottles (one for alcohol and one for water)
Step 1: Get your grain spawn
While each Boomr Bin bundle comes with a single bag of Organic Sterilized Grain Bag, you can also make or purchase your own. Grain spawn is sterilized grain that's been fully colonized with mushroom mycelium. We wrote an article about the difference between mushroom spores and spawn in addition to how they fit into the larger mushroom life cycle. We sell grow bags as well as fully-colonized grain spawn and liquid cultures for a variety of species in addition to specialized jars and lids suitable for sterilizing. Once colonized, a single 3lb bag of grain spawn is sufficient for inoculating a single Boomr Bin. If delivered through the mail, it’s best practice to allow your sterilized grain spawn to sit for two weeks before inoculation to expose any issues that may have occurred in transit. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, once inoculated, it can take a few weeks to a month for the grain spawn to be fully colonized and ready to use. If you have purchased a fully colonized grain spawn bag, you are good to go! For tips and questions regarding inoculation, visit our Sterile Substrate FAQ page here.
Step 2: Preparing your bulk substrate
The type of sterile bulk substrate you need depends on the mushroom species you're growing, with our two different Boomr Bin bundles catering to each substrate. Boomr Bags are the best choice for dung-loving mushrooms while Wood Lovr and our line of hardwood sawdust spawn can be used to grow a variety of edible, hardwood-loving varieties. You may opt to make your own sterile substrates as well, using a pressure cooker, hot water bath or by another means. We outline two different sterilization techniques in our article on growing mushrooms in buckets.
Step 3: Sterilize your workspace and prep your Boomr Bin
Maintaining a sterile environment is crucial for the study of mycology and growing mushrooms in particular, as we discussed in this article on common contaminants in mushroom cultivation. You can also clean and inoculate your Boomr Bin inside of a NocBox still air box to further mitigate contamination. Disinfect your workspace, hands, tools, and all components of the Boomr Bin with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Ensure your workspace is clean overall and devoid of air turbulence by shutting windows and doors and turning off any heating or cooling units. Place the accompanying self-adhesive filters (1” and 2”) in their appropriate spots along the length and width of the lid of the Boomr Bin.
Step 4: Combine your grain spawn & bulk substrate in the Boomr Bin
This is where the magic happens. First, test for appropriate field capacity by squeezing a handful of your bulk substrate. If a couple drops of water are released, your substrate is at proper field capacity. If it’s too dry, hydrate the blend with water from your spray bottle as you fill your bin. Begin by adding a thin sprinkling of colonized grain spawn, then add another inch of substrate followed by more spawn. Keep sandwiching grain spawn in layers of bulk substrate until you've reached your desired depth of 3 to 5 inches total. Make sure the Boomr Bin lid is also sterilized with 70% isopropyl alcohol and for good measure wipe down the sides of the bin just above the inoculated bulk substrate. Once loaded, tightly fit the lid and clamp it shut, resisting the urge to open it until the substrate is fully colonized. Keep your Boomr Bin at the recommended temperature for colonization (typically between 55 - 75 degrees F) and out of direct sunlight.
Step 5: Monitoring substrate colonization
Regularly check your Boomr Bin for signs of colonization. As the mycelium spreads, you'll notice white spots expanding from each point of grain spawn, along with drops of yellowish liquid called mushroom exudate which is a sign of proper hydration and rapid colonization. Keep an eye out for pinning, or the formation of small knots of dense white mycelium, or “baby mushrooms” as we call them, which usually occurs after 2-3 weeks.
Step 6: Casing the substrate and awaiting fruiting
When you observe hyphal knots or pins, it's time to case your Boomr Bin. Gently remove the lid and add a thin layer of coco coir to the top of the colonizing substrate. Spray the casing layer with water to ensure proper hydration and return the lid onto the base. Maintain humidity by spraying the tub daily and providing indirect light for healthy mushroom growth. Harvest your mushrooms at the desired stage, typically before the caps fully flatten out.
Regularly check your Boomr Bin for signs of colonization. As the mycelium spreads, you'll notice white spots expanding from each point of grain spawn, along with drops of yellowish liquid called mushroom exudate which is a sign of proper hydration and rapid colonization. Keep an eye out for pinning, or the formation of small knots of dense white mycelium, or “baby mushrooms” as we call them, which usually occurs after 2-3 weeks.
Step 6: Casing the Substrate and Awaiting Fruiting
When you observe hyphal knots or pins, it's time to case your Boomr Bin. Gently remove the lid and add a thin layer of coco coir to the top of the colonizing substrate. Spray the casing layer with water to ensure proper hydration and return the lid onto the base. Maintain humidity by spraying the tub daily and providing indirect light for healthy mushroom growth. Harvest your mushrooms at the desired stage, typically before the caps fully flatten out.
Step 7 (optional): Automated Tech Kit upgrade for fresh air exchange (FAE) and humidity
North Spore’s automated Boomr Bin monotub has a modular design upgrade kit allowing for simple-scale mushroom cultivation or full automation of your home grow. Whether you use monotub filters for passive air exchange or upgrade for complete control of fresh air and humidity levels for finicky CO2 sensitive species, the choice is yours by adding the Fae Fan Mini and Myco Mister Mini to your Boomr Bin. Simply pair your growing system to the demands of the species you're trying to grow and dial it in with confidence and consistency. To avoid contamination, we recommend only setting up your automated systems once your bin has fully colonized.
Fae Fan Mini
• Proper ventilation is critical for your mushrooms' growth and vitality as it supplies the oxygen they need to breathe while filtering out carbon dioxide. The Fae Fan Mini system works by cycling CO2-rich air out of the growing environment while simultaneously pulling in fresh O2-rich air through the adhesive filter patches attached to the side of the Boomr Bin. FAE stimulates the initial stages of mushroom development and ambient oxygen levels in the growing environment will influence the shape and structure of your mushrooms. Gourmet edible mushrooms such as oysters, chestnut, and nameko are sensitive to CO2 levels and will develop thin, leggy stems and undersized caps if FAE is not properly maintained.
• The Fae Fan Mini can be attached to the front of the Boomr Bin (as shown).
MycoMister Mini & Humidity Controller
• Mushrooms are over 90% water, meaning that they require moisture at every stage of development and especially during formation of primordia, or the initial stages of mushroom growth. Low humidity can stunt or even abort growth, and can lead to thin, cracked stems and discoloration in mushrooms and mycelium. The MycoMister Mini and Humidity Control system maintains relative humidity (RH) levels at their optimum range (80 - 90%) by a simple turn of a dial.
• The MycoMister Mini ducts humid air into the Boomr Bin through a corrugated tube attached to the front of the chamber and is maintained by the humidity control with a sensor that can be fitted into the Boomr Bin via an adhesive filter.
Final thoughts on the Boomr Bin
Get started growing your own dung-loving or hardwood-loving edible or medicinal mushrooms with North Spore’s newest grow chamber, the Boomr Bin, a beginner-friendly monotub system created by mycologists. Our Boomr Bin bundles come equipped with everything you need to grow mushrooms at home (all that’s required is a spore syringe or liquid culture!) while a single Boomr Bin is a perfect option for those who have procured their own materials. The unique modular design of each Boomr Bin is optimized for all growers, from the lo-tech to those eager to get fully automated with fresh air fans and humidity controls. What’s more, the Boomr Bin is crafted from food-grade materials that are FDA-approved for contact with consumables so you can grow worry free. As you embark on your adventures in cultivation, remember that patience and attention to detail are key. With practice, you can achieve consistent and bountiful harvests, all thanks to our innovative Boomr Bin system. Happy growing!