In an effort to make the colonization of a quart jar with a BRF cake faster, could you fill the jar maybe 1/3 or 1/2 full with vermiculite, and then put the BRF/Verm/water on top at about the thickness that a half-pint jar would have? I think using the Neglect tek would work well this way, it's just a small cake growing in a quart jar and elevated so the needle can noc it.
Do you live in the USA? If so Walmart sells great PCs and has a no questions asked 30 day return policy. Buy a PC and any other equipment you need (tupperware containers, thermometers, canning jars....ect. on a credit card..... Also a 50 pound bag of bird seed costs under ten bucks at walmart. PC a shit ton of jars and then return the PC before the credit card bill arrives. this is how I did it when I was a poor college student and by doing grains and bulk substrate casings you'll be growing pounds of mushrooms and you'll be able to afford a All American PC of your very own in no time.
Where a good grain tek? im finally going to start growing mushies and im so excited! been reading up so much information. Some research i did today: http://web.archive.org/web/20071019020507/http://www.fanaticus.com/mycoalki.htm#gottlieb http://www.instructables.com/id/Growing-Mushrooms:-PF-Tek/ http://www.shroomery.org/8410/Simple-Cubensis-Growing-Technique
I don't like to toot my own horn but take a gander at this.. Not all the steps are detailed because it assumes you have done some research on your own but I'd be happy to elaborate on anything and point you to the treks I use things like spore syringe making....substrate prep or pressure cooker safety. http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=416240&f=118