Microwave substrate?

[kenspidey]

Could i microwave my substrate to remove water. I wanted to add more substrate but in order to do this i have to add water to it but i know the T does not like this so could i wet it then microwave it to remove water?

 

[cacoseraph]

Could i microwave my substrate to remove water. I wanted to add more substrate but in order to do this i have to add water to it but i know the T does not like this so could i wet it then microwave it to remove water?

careful, depending on microwave configuration you can cause hotspots that can actually smolder/burn

oven works good, set to ~250

put substrate on cookie sheet and stir regularily

your whole house/apartment will smell like the forest for a while though

 

[strat321]

microwave & water

if you wish to dry out the material > oven or sun


if you want to sterilize > microwave or oven.

I thought microwaves actually need water in the object to be heated to work.




be careful

 

[Fini]

A conventional oven is a lot safer!

 

[moricollins]

there's no need to sterilize substrate for inverts......

i take it you are likely using bed-a-beast or eco-earth and need the water to help it expand..... your best bet to let it dry out is to simply let it sit out in the open spread as thinly as possible on newspaper (this is from my experience)

 

[Nerri1029]

I thought microwaves actually need water in the object to be heated to work.


be careful

YOU ARE CORRECT !!

I fully endorse the Oven Idea as well..
Oven is much safer... and you can be sure the ENTIRE contents are dry and that it reached the desired temp..

 

[kenspidey]

Yes you are correct with the water i would also put a microwave safe cup with water inside i believe it will still work. This wasnt really a sterilizing issue just a way to dry a substrate faster so my T who doesnt like water would be more comfortable.

 

[agentbsmithi]

its going to take forever to dry out. whenever drying bed a beast or eco earth it takes a long time. if you wanna sit it out in the sun to dry its gonna take a while, but if you use the oven itll speed it up a bit but it still takes a while. microwaves dont work too well but i guess it might help a little.

i would oven bake it and stir it to let the steam out. also you can do what others said and lay it thinly across some newspaper and set it outside. i never wanted to do this because i was afraid of bugs and stuff getting into it, but it shouldnt be a big deal.