White labs vials

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quixoticgeek

White labs vials

Post by quixoticgeek » Thu Sep 18, 2014 3:19 pm

I seem to have an ever growing collection of white labs vials. Does anyone know if you can autoclave them?

Julia
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Eadweard
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Eadweard » Thu Sep 18, 2014 5:04 pm

I doubt it, but there is an easy way to find out! ;-)
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Kev888
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Kev888 » Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:10 pm

They are essentially the blanks that plastic fizzy drinks bottles start out as (before they're blown up to size), rather than something designed to be autoclaved. I seem to recall hearing they lose transparency if boiled even without pressure, but I could be misremembering.

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quixoticgeek

Re: White labs vials

Post by quixoticgeek » Thu Sep 18, 2014 11:06 pm

Kev888 wrote:They are essentially the blanks that plastic fizzy drinks bottles start out as (before they're blown up to size), rather than something designed to be autoclaved. I seem to recall hearing they lose transparency if boiled even without pressure, but I could be misremembering.
In that case, any thoughts on uses for the empty vials?

Julia
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vacant
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Re: White labs vials

Post by vacant » Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:40 am

If you're buying gypsum or other salts in larger than 100g they will keep longer if not exposed to moisture each time you open the container. The vials are also ideal for Agar Agar.

I don't think these vials are the same as un-blown drinks bottles. They turn white when pressure-cooked and keep their size (I've done that). A PET bottle shrinks a bit but remains transparent if filled with boiling water (I've done that too).
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Rookie » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:03 pm

quixoticgeek wrote:I seem to have an ever growing collection of white labs vials. Does anyone know if you can autoclave them?

Julia
Carefully pack them away, White Labs is changing their packaging and the vials will be worth a lot, if you save them long enough: leave them to your great-great-great grandkids. :wink:

A couple of times I refilled the vials from the starter to reuse. A good soak in oxi-clean and a dunk in Star San and they're good to go.
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imark
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Re: White labs vials

Post by imark » Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:35 pm

White labs will exchange them for gifts as per list on this link [URL] http://www.whitelabs.com/customerclub [/URL]
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Re: White labs vials

Post by barneey » Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:44 pm

quixoticgeek wrote:I seem to have an ever growing collection of white labs vials. Does anyone know if you can autoclave them?

Julia
No they will turn a VERY milky white colour, if I still have the one I did I`ll up a photo.
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Rookie » Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:31 pm

imark wrote:White labs will exchange them for gifts as per list on this link http://www.whitelabs.com/customerclub
You don't have to send the vial, they'll accept the labels only, lots cheaper to mail.
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mozza
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Re: White labs vials

Post by mozza » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:54 am

5000 labels? Sweet Jesus! :lol:
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Jocky » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:35 am

I heard an interview a while ago where Chris White was talking about the 5000 vial prize. It started as a joke, but quite a few home brew clubs in the USA have managed to club together and hit the 5000 vial mark, and he's more than happy to encourage it.
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Re: White labs vials

Post by Deebee » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:45 am

I have a few of these too.

Soak in a good warm bath of cleaner, Starsan them then use then to save yeast from a starter. I have never had one go bad in 5 years
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