In my mushroom growing guides I don't try to recommend specific brands and companies because it's important to focus on the fundamentals and not be so focused on who makes the product. This also helps our group innovate on mushroom cultivation methods, as newer and better products will enhance an already great system.
But I will dedicate this post to a great company for those who are beginning their journey into mushroom growing, North Spore. I started growing mushrooms using North Spore's Lion's Mane/Pink Oyster liquid cultures, which have always been reliable and aggressive cultures. I've also bought growing apparatuses, like Martha Tents and Monotubs from this company, because they have such strong guarantees on the quality of their hardware that—when issues do occur—they help replace parts as fast as possible.
I can't recommend many companies out there because I've run into so many questionable quality control practices, but North Spore is the rare company that has gone out of their way to be on the top of my mind when I need certain hardware. Here's a brief list of what I purchased from them the last couple months:
- Wide Mouth Culture Jar w/ Port and Filter, which are modified jar lids that save me the hassle (and cut fingers) of drilling holes into standard mason jar lids, which have always been a messy process. Their filter patches and ports last for quite a few sterilization cycles as well before replacement, which is cents on the dollar.
- Wide Mouth Silicone Lid Covers, which are a less wasteful alternative to aluminum foil
- Trumpet, Pink Oyster, Lion's Mane Liquid Cultures, as I needed to re-up my LC stock after doing some failed agar experiments.
- I also regularly purchase Organic Millet from them, as I have trouble sourcing organic millet from my local area (I'm still looking though!). They don't have the best rates for Millet when only purchasing 10 pounds, but when I'm spending more than $150, their free shipping makes it an okay deal.
If you're looking for some mushroom growing hardware, North Spore does have it. But keep on the look out for up and coming companies who can do even better! Finding new suppliers will keep this community at the cutting edge of mushroom cultivation.