BRF stands for Brown Rice Flour. BRF jars contain a mixture of brown rice flour and vermiculite that provides an ideal nutrient base and moisture environment for mushroom mycelium to colonize. This substrate is the foundation of the PF Tek (Psilocybe Fanaticus Technique) method developed in 1992.

Wipe the injection port with isopropyl alcohol, then inject 1–2 cc of your spore or liquid culture syringe through the self-healing port. The port seals itself after the needle is removed. For best results, inoculate in front of a laminar flow hood or inside a still air box to minimize contamination risk.

BRF jars typically take 3–5 weeks to fully colonize at 75–81°F. You will see white mycelium spreading through the jar during this time. Wait until the entire jar is white before birthing. Using liquid culture instead of spores can reduce colonization time by 1–2 weeks.

PF Tek (Psilocybe Fanaticus Technique) is a mushroom cultivation method that uses half-pint jars filled with a brown rice flour and vermiculite substrate. After colonization, the BRF cakes are removed from the jars ("birthed"), dunked in water, rolled in vermiculite, and placed in a fruiting chamber to produce mushrooms. It is widely considered the easiest cultivation method for beginners.

No. Our BRF jars arrive fully sterilized in our commercial autoclave at 15 PSI. There is no substrate preparation or sterilization required on your end. Simply inject your syringe through the injection port and incubate. This is the primary advantage of buying pre-sterilized BRF jars versus making your own.

BRF substrate jars are compatible with virtually all mushroom species, including oyster mushrooms, lion's mane, shiitake, reishi, maitake, turkey tail, and many more. The brown rice flour provides a universal nutrient source that supports colonization by most edible and medicinal fungi.

A fruiting chamber is a humidity-controlled environment where colonized BRF cakes produce mushrooms. The simplest version is a shotgun fruiting chamber (SGFC) — a plastic storage tub with holes drilled on all sides and a layer of damp perlite on the bottom. Our starter grow kit includes a pre-built fruiting chamber with everything you need.

Store your sterilized BRF jars at room temperature in a clean, dry location. For best results, inoculate within 60 days of receiving your jars. Do not refrigerate — room temperature storage maintains the sterile seal and substrate quality.