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18G Sterile Syringe Needles FAQ
What is included in each pack?
Each pack contains:
10 individually wrapped 18G sterile syringe needles
Protective needle caps
Single-use sterile packaging
Syringes, liquid cultures and other inoculation supplies are not included unless purchased separately.
What are 18G sterile syringe needles used for?
18G needles are commonly used for:
Inoculating sterilised grain
Injecting mushroom liquid culture
Transferring liquid culture between sterile containers
Withdrawing liquid culture from jars
Using self-healing injection ports
General mycology and laboratory work
They are suitable for most standard liquid cultures and provide controlled flow during inoculation.
What does 18G mean?
The “18G” refers to the needle gauge.
An 18G needle has a narrower internal diameter than a 16G Sterile Syringe Needle. It is suitable for many standard liquid cultures, while thicker or heavily colonised cultures may flow more easily through a wider 16G needle.
Are the needles supplied sterile?
Yes. Each needle is supplied sterile and individually wrapped.
The needle should remain inside its sealed packaging until immediately before use. Do not use the needle if the packaging is open, damaged or wet.
Once the sterile packaging has been opened, the needle should be treated as a single-use item.
Are these needles reusable?
No. These needles are intended for single use.
Reusing a needle can increase the risk of contamination, cross-contamination and accidental injury. Always use a fresh sterile needle when working with a new culture, container or project.
Can these needles be used with mushroom liquid culture syringes?
Yes. The needles are suitable for use with standard mushroom liquid culture syringes fitted with a compatible Luer connection.
They can be used with cultures from our full range of Mushroom Liquid Cultures.
Before attaching the needle, wipe the syringe connection with an appropriate disinfectant and avoid touching the sterile connection points.
Are 18G needles suitable for thick liquid culture?
They are suitable for most standard liquid cultures.
Very dense cultures or cultures containing larger pieces of mycelium may move more easily through a wider 16G Sterile Syringe Needle.
If the needle becomes blocked, do not apply excessive force to the syringe plunger.
Can these needles be used to inoculate grain bags?
Yes. They can be used to inject liquid culture through the self-healing injection port of a sterilised grain bag.
Our 2 kg Sterilised Wheat Grain Bag is supplied fully prepared with a self-healing injection port for easy inoculation.
Wipe the injection port before use and allow the disinfectant to dry before inserting the needle.
Can these needles be used with self-healing injection ports?
Yes. 18G needles are suitable for use with Self-Healing Injection Ports.
Insert the needle through the centre of the silicone port and withdraw it carefully after inoculation. Avoid twisting or repeatedly puncturing exactly the same spot.
How should I attach the needle to a syringe?
To attach the needle:
Check that the sterile packaging is intact.
Clean the syringe connection if required.
Open the needle packaging carefully.
Hold the needle by the plastic hub.
Attach it securely to the syringe.
Keep the protective cap in place until immediately before use.
Do not touch the metal needle or the syringe connection point.
Should the needle be flame sterilised before use?
A newly opened needle is already sterile and does not normally require flame sterilisation before its first use.
Flame sterilising a needle after it has already been used does not restore the original packaged sterility and does not make it suitable for reuse between unrelated cultures.
For the lowest contamination risk, use a fresh sterile needle for each new inoculation.
Can the needle be used to inject through a syringe filter?
No. Syringe filters are used for filtered gas exchange and should not be punctured with an inoculation needle.
Insert the needle only through the self-healing injection port. Our 13 mm 0.22 Micron Syringe Filters should remain intact.
What should I do if the needle becomes blocked?
Do not press the syringe plunger with excessive force, as this can cause the needle to detach or the liquid to release suddenly.
Instead:
Withdraw the needle safely
Replace it with a fresh sterile needle
Consider using a wider 16G needle for thicker cultures
Do not return a used needle to the original culture container
How should used needles be disposed of?
Used needles are sharp medical-style items and must be handled carefully.
Place them immediately into an approved sharps container or another suitable puncture-resistant container. Do not place loose needles directly into household rubbish or recycling.
Follow the disposal guidance provided by your local authority.
How should unused needles be stored?
Store unused needles:
Inside their sealed sterile packaging
In a clean, dry location
Away from moisture
Away from direct sunlight
Away from children and animals
Protected from damaged or crushed packaging
Do not use a needle if its packaging has been compromised.
Where are the 18G sterile syringe needles shipped from?
Each order contains 10 individually wrapped sterile 18G syringe needles, carefully packed and shipped directly from Ireland.
Fast shipping is available to customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the United States and Canada.
