Storing Potato Dextrose Agar in California isn’t always straightforward—especially if you’re in areas like Fresno or Bakersfield where it gets seriously hot during the summer.
I’ve had issues with condensation forming inside sealed Petri dishes, which sometimes leads to premature contamination even before I’ve inoculated them. I keep them in the fridge, but the temperature swings in my workspace (non-climate-controlled) seem to have an effect.
Has anyone else had storage issues like this? I’ve read that condensation can be managed by letting plates sit at room temperature after pouring before sealing them, but I’m not sure if that helps when you’re buying them pre-made.
I’d like to hear if others in California are doing anything differently to manage storage during hot weather. I'm especially curious about low-cost or DIY solutions. Refrigerators help, but they don’t completely solve the issue when the surrounding environment is fluctuating.
