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How do I build a Laminar Flow Hood?
In contrast, building your own can be done for just €200 – €500.
This article explains how to build a laminar flow hood for mushroom cultivation.
Materials: – HEPA-Filter– Old clothing or a professional pre-filter
– Plywood panels (12–19 mm thick)
– 4×4 cm wooden battens
– Silicone sealant/sealing tape – Fan motor
– Screwdriver
– Wood screws
– Handles (optional)
Steps:
1. HEPA-Filter: For mushroom cultivation, you need a HEPA filter with at least H13 or H14 filtration class. You can find second-hand options or purchase one from filter manufacturers. We got ours from Wieninger Filter.
2. Fan Motor You can use a fan motor from ovens, ventilation systems, etc. The motor should have a power rating of 250 – 500 W, depending on the filter size.
3. Cutting the Plywood Panels: The goal is to build a box with the filter at the front and an opening for the fan motor at the top. Cut your plywood panels to size so they can be screwed together to form a box. You can also have the panels cut at a hardware store. Cut a hole in the top panel that precisely matches the size of the fan motor opening.
4. Assembling: Screw the panels together with the battens to form a box that remains open at the front.
5. Sealing: Seal the inner edges of the panels with silicone or adhesive tape so that the air can only escape through the filter.
6. Attaching the HEPA Filter: Screw wooden battens to the inside of the wooden frame to support the HEPA filter. The HEPA filter is then “clamped” onto these battens from the outside using wooden strips and screws.
7. Installing the Motor: Place the motor on the box so that air can only flow through the pre-cut hole into the wooden box. It must be sealed so that the air can only exit through the filter. If you have basic electrical knowledge, you can connect the motor yourself. Otherwise, it is advisable to seek help from a friend or a professional. If needed, a speed controller can also be installed before the motor.
8. Installing the Pre-Filter: To extend the lifespan of the HEPA filter, an additional box should be built around the motor, ensuring that air is only drawn in through a pre-filter. You can use an old piece of clothing or a professional pre-filter for this.
10. Test Your Laminar Flow Hood: The air should only flow out through the HEPA filter. The ideal airflow speed for working with mushroom spawn or substrates is between 0.4 – 0.7 m/s. Alternatively, you can determine the correct speed using a lighter: If you hold a lighter about 10 cm in front of the laminar flow hood, the flame should bend at a 45-degree angle.
Tips:
– It is important to build your laminar flow hood in the cleanest, dust-free environment possible to avoid contamination.
– Clean and maintain the laminar flow hood regularly to ensure it remains sterile and effective.
In this guide, we have described one of our laminar flow hoods. You can adjust the materials and dimensions to suit your needs.
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- Tel.: +43 664 750 936 04
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Edt 4, 5205 Schleedorf, Austria
