Creating a sterile environment using the Bunsen burner (EN) Creating a sterile working environment, using the Bunsen burner Goal: To give “your” microorganism a head start on "foreign" microorganisms present in the air, on the table or on instruments you use. Creating a sterile bubble with a blue 'rustling' flame: Close windows and doors and let everyone know you will be inoculating and lighting the flame. No talking, no walking around. Sit down while working with the flame, to avoid accidentally leaning into the flame. Clean the table with 70% alcohol BEFORE you light the flame.  Open the gas valve and quickly light the yellow flame. Then open oxygen supply ring until you get a noisy blue 'rustling' flame: Work within 10 cm radius of flame on all sides: Don't wear gloves or synthetic face masks (can glue to skin when hot). Point tip of alcohol bottle away from flame at all times! Open petri dishes as little as possible, open petri dishes 'oyster style' towards the flame. Pass neck of bottle through the flame before and after each pour to sterilize the neck. Work fast but don't rush, get comfortable and at all times stay seated. Don’t move the gas burner when it's on. When finished, close the oxygen supply until you get a yellow flame, then close the gas supply.