Mycelium WorksCultivation tools & knowledge
StageInoculationColonizationFruitingHarvestingProcessing
Sterilization & Cleaning

Alcohol Lamp

An open flame for sterilising loops and needles on the spot.

Illustration of a alcohol lamp
Typical specifications
FuelDenatured alcohol or ethanol
Flame temperatureRoughly 400 – 800 °C at core
Burn time2 – 4 hours per fill
WickCotton, replaceable
UseLoops, needles, scalpels
StyleGlass body with metal collar
Sterilization & CleaningSmall batches

Overview

An alcohol lamp provides a small, steady, soot-free flame that is ideal for sterilising inoculation loops and needles. The flame also creates a rising convection current that gently pushes particles away from your work area, which is why flames are still used alongside a still-air box rather than replaced by it.

Primary stage: Inoculation

Where it fits in the grow

Used during agar transfers and syringe preparation.

Safety & handling

Never refill a lamp while it is lit or still hot, and never leave an open flame unattended. Store fuel in a clearly labelled container away from the lamp.

Practical advice

Hold the loop in the cool upper cone of the flame until it glows red, not the wick itself — the wick region deposits soot that will contaminate your plate.

Educational only. Mycelium Works does not sell this or any other product, and we receive no payment for listing it. Specifications vary by manufacturer — always follow the maker’s instructions and local regulations.
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