So you've got some extra fermented substrate, what’s the best way to store it for later use?
Here are the three most common method
✅ Room Temperature Storage
This is the easiest method, but keep these in mind:
📌 Best used within 2 months
📌 Stir it thoroughly once a week
📌 If stored without airflow, mold can start to form
→ The weekly stirring helps prevent this.
If your substrate is packed in mushroom bags with breathable filters, just give the bag a good shake to mix it up
✅ Freezer Storage.
Freezing is a great long-term storage option,
but it comes with some caveats:
📌 You can store it for up to 6 months, but the sooner you use it, the better
📌 After defrosting, you’ll notice moisture condensing on the surface
→ Let the substrate sit at room temperature for 2–3 days to allow excess moisture to evaporate and air to circulate
📌Always stir it well before using, and check for any signs of spoilage or degradation.
✅ Dry Storage
(aka completely drying the substrate before storage)
This one’s a bit controversial.
Here’s a quick rundown of both sides of the argument:
🟢 People who support dry storage say:
“Larvae rely on symbiotic bacteria from their parents for digestion.
Even if you dry the substrate, those microorganisms don’t die, they just go dormant.
When you rehydrate it, they ‘wake up’ and become active again.”
🔴 People who oppose dry storage argue:
“Most microorganisms don’t survive the drying process.
Even if you rehydrate, the enzymes and nutrients provided by those microbes are significantly reduced.
This might not be a big issue with well-decomposed substrate, but it’s still a step down in quality, especially for larvae with weak guts.
If you must use dried substrate, let it sit and stabilize for a while after rehydrating so airborne microbes can recolonize it.
But don’t expect it to perform the same as fresh or well-fermented material.”