Bucket tek — pasteurized straw in a 5-gallon bucket

The bucket tek is the most popular beginner method for growing oyster mushrooms. Straw is pasteurized in hot water inside a 5-gallon bucket, mixed with grain spawn, and fruits within 2-3 weeks. One bucket yields 2-4 lbs of mushrooms per flush.

Steps

1. Chop straw into 2-3 inch pieces. Use wheat, oat, or barley straw. Stuff loosely into a 5-gallon bucket until 3/4 full.
2. Pasteurize: Pour 160-180°F water over the straw until fully submerged. Cover with a lid and hold at temperature for 60-90 minutes. A thermometer helps, but boiling water poured in and left to cool naturally gets close enough.
3. Drain and cool: After 60-90 minutes, drain all water. Spread straw on a clean surface until it cools to below 80°F (warm to the touch, not hot).
4. Mix with spawn: Layer pasteurized straw and grain spawn in the bucket — 2 inches of straw, a handful of spawn, repeat. Use 1-2 lbs of grain spawn per bucket.
5. Drill holes: Drill 8-12 holes (1/2-inch) around the bucket at various heights for fruiting. Cover holes loosely with micropore tape.
6. Incubate 10-14 days in a dark area at 65-75°F. White mycelium will colonize the straw.
7. Fruit: When mycelium is fully colonized, move to a spot with indirect light and fresh air. Mist the holes 2-3 times daily. Mushrooms pin and mature in 5-7 days.

Tips

• Expect 2-3 flushes per bucket, each 10-14 days apart. Total yield: 3-6 lbs
• Blue oysters are the most forgiving species for beginners; pink oysters need warmer temps (70-85°F)
• Spent substrate makes excellent garden compost