Pellet fuel is an ideal substrate for the peroxide method, because it is completely peroxide-compatible, free of enzymes that break down hydrogen peroxide. But pellet fuel is far from being the only substrate that works. You can use straw and similar drainable materials (details in Volume II of the manual), or certain peroxide-compatible porous woody materials such as sawdust-based cat litter (in the UK, Fussy Puss™ litter), additive-free composite logs (in the UK, Clean Heat™ logs), the sawdust derived from milling of kiln-dried lumber, paper fiber pellets (in the US, Crown™ Animal Bedding or Good Mews™ Cat litter), paper pulp, and clean cardboard. Any other porous substrate commonly used for mushroom growth, such as raw sawdust, will work with peroxide if you first pressure-sterilize the substrate, or bake it for several hours at 275-300 degrees F (150 degrees C), or steam it 24 hours, to destroy the peroxide-decomposing enzymes present in it.
Some mushrooms, such as white buttons and their relatives, grow best on compost, which can generally be prepared without peroxide, although I am investigating ways to improve compost making with the help of peroxide. [Next]
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