How to Build a Mushroom Box

If you want to grow your own mushrooms, you need to provide an environment for them with a balance of fresh air and humidity. You can buy commercially made mushroom boxes, or fruiting chambers, to foster the fruiting of inoculated mushroom substrate. However, for less money you can build your own mushroom box with a few items found at your local discount store. In addition to the structure of the mushroom box, you must fill it with a substrate that retains moisture.

Plastic storage container with lid
Drill and ¼-inch bit
Perlite
Colander or strainer
Aluminum foil

Instructions

- 1
  Buy a plastic storage container with a lid. It does not have to be airtight. The container should be transparent so you can observe the development of your mushrooms without removing the lid. Keeping the lid on maintains the humidity inside the chamber. The size of the container depends on how many mushrooms you want to grow at a time and how much space you have to keep the mushroom box.
- 2
  Drill holes on all sides of the storage container, including the bottom and the lid. Use a drill with a 1/4-inch bit. Space the holes about 2 inches apart.
- 3
  Pour enough perlite into a colander or strainer to cover the bottom of the plastic container 4 inches deep. You can put the perlite in the container to measure then pour it into the colander or strainer. Hold the perlite under running water so that it takes up as much water as possible. Perlite is porous and will wick up moisture and hold it in its many microscopic holes. It does not actually absorb the water.
- 4
  Spread the moistened perlite evenly in the bottom of the mushroom box. The water in the perlite will provide the humidity. The holes will allow fresh air to flow through the chamber. Cover the perlite with a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Your mushroom box is now ready to use.

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