I'm a software engineer, but my mom used to work in a lab. So I love parafilm. I once used parafilm to mend a violin bow I snapped right before a concert. I still carry a folded piece of parafilm in my wallet.
The only thing I've ever seen it used for is tree grafting and wrapping the buds on a cutting that is either going to be rooted or grafted to something else to keep them from drying out. I can't believe it's used to all that other stuff. I learned something ,thanks.
Parafilm is often used to wrap plant grafts. The scion, ( dormant twig with desireable fruit or flowers) is cut at the base in a way matching the cut on the rootstock (= tree you are grafting the scion onto). the scion away from the rootstock is commonly wrapped in Parafilm with a strip a few inches long hanging free. Then the cut end is attached and the Parafilm wrapped around it to both mechanically hold the twig in place a little and prevent dehydration before the bark grows together. When the connection is made buds grow through the Parafilm. Best to have it only one layer deep with some two layer overlap and shade graft till buds break through so it does not overheat....Many ways to graft this is only one.
There are more new ones coming! I have a couple already filmed an on their way to being edited. Grad school has been... overwhelming lately, but my videos are coming back :)
I have used this very successfully to seal perfume bottles before shipping. I make sure the crystal or glass stopper is turned well in until it stops. Then I take a Parafilm strip about 1" x 3" long, start stretching it at one end, and then holding the stretched end against the perfume bottle, slowly start winding and stretching all the time, round and round the place where the stopper and the neck meet, and even over the top and back around the neck. When I am near the end of the strip, I pull it down against the bottle so that the receiver can find the end. Magic! Even if the bottle leaks a little bit, the Parafilm holds the liquid and it doesn't escape and spoil the bottle's label. I was able to buy precut strips from Germany, but any will do.
I'm doing some fruit tree cloning. I went to my local garden center, asked the lady if they had Parafilm and she looked at me like I was crazy lol. Not sure where to get this stuff locally aside from buying it off amazon.
Parafilm is the greatest thing for covering stuff in the lab if they made it in 18 inch wide straps I'd buy it instead of saran wrap. Also great to see a new video out of you I was starting to wonder if you had given up on youtubing
Alex Dainis ash I missed that because I was writing the comment. Also love to see you back on the TH-cam I was starting to miss your bubbly personality.
Parafilm is magic. I don't remember ever ordering any but there was always plenty there. Instead of, like, a Bag of Holding, Parafilm was like a Box of Giving.
This is true! I did realize while filming this however that because the rolls they come in are endless, most of the Parafilm in our lab was likely... very old. There was a noticeable difference in "stretchability" between our (likely *decade* old...) Parafilm and the new box that came in!
Right?! One of the other grad students in my lab showed it to me as a way to mix samples with loading buffer before electrophoresis and it blew my mind too! It also ended up saving me so many extra tubes that I was just wasting on mixing.
Last video I saw from you was "DNA In Space." I went to your videos and noticed you've uploaded at least two more videos!? I had no notifications. I guess I'll use that bell thingy. Can't way too see more content from you!
Man how exciting - parafilm isn't cheap I reckon you saved your lab some money there ;) i love having a tiny piece and stretching it out as far as possibel!
I once used parafilm to make a spinning top out of a pipette tip and a ceramic ring from what I think was an inductor (which came from an old computer's power supply)
I usually just use parafilm to cover volatile chemicals so they don't evaporate away when I store them for a while. It's cool to see the uses for it in biology.
Long time no see! I really enjoyed this video! Has anyone gone through one parafilm roll? These things seem to last forever! Judging by their retro look, my hypothesis is that parafilm rolls are self-regenerating and that only a few were made a long time ago. I demand isotopic dating! :p
Talking about this video with a professor in my department, she remarked on the fact that the packaging instructs "When empty, reorder from your laboratory supplier," and how silly that is, because, do they think you wouldn't do that on your own? But also, no one could ever remember having to have done so...
I remember that one of the analytical chemistry labs in my university was running short of parafilm, so us students were told to use it with restraint. btw, I loved this video, and so did my colleagues with which I shared it!
Btw that book " fundamentals of cartography" is indian and sometimes the high school students have a need to refer to books of the same kind because of topography work we have to do in school.
It has that effect. It's the funky stetchable and self sticking properties with chemical and air resistance that naturally appeals to people. Nerdy-biology people that is.
This moment, if you get a push notification about this video, currently having a box of parafilm in hand in lab... :D But I NEVER saw such a big role of parafilm :O
I've searched high and low for an answer, so I'll try here. I'm trying to find out if wrapping individual batteries in Parafilm to protect them from moisture and the elements when in the field (outdoors) will work... anyone know anything about this or if there is a reason I shouldn't wrap a battery in Parafilm?
Have you thought about doing a video on the current tax overhaul? I want to go to graduate school, but tax changes are making me think I'll never get there, due to taxing tuition waivers as income.
I have thought about this, mostly because I've been constantly worried about it for weeks, but there's definitely an "but I'm not a tax attorney, I can't talk about that" mental roadblock in my way :(
GO SEE EVERY MSDS FOR THE CHEMICALS Befor YOU MANIPULATE them every potencial and glassware you like take it to your lab ;) same things with all product found at the grocerystore and drugstore and anf garden store and pool suply store for salt, sulfur, potassium nitrate, amonnium nitrate(coldpack), potassium clhorate (sodium free salt replacement), chlorine, etcetcetcetc xD tthis is wath im doing xD and its fun a made all sort of other compound ... etcetc
Hey Alex! How are you? My name is Felipe and I'm a 17yo Brazilian Education TH-camr which was inspired a lot by your videos. In my channel I do a lot of chemistry experiments inside a homemade lab! Well, I actually want to thank you for being a motivation for me during this TH-cam years, your passion for science makes me realize that we still have brilliant minds thinking and creating. Congratulations for your work and please keep doing it, you definitely have a worldwide public and I'll help translating your videos to Portuguese if you wish so! A big shout out from Brazil! :)
Hey quick question would the parafilm used for nursery grafting be the same? I'd like to get some but the m parafilm is a bit up there lol any advice is welcome thanks!
Are you the "bitescized" chick? Also, in your weird "look, TH-cam has snapchat now" video, mobile users can't click on the link. Glad to have found this channel if you are who I think
It doesn't like pathology machines. We have a machine that caps tubes with parafilm and it is ALWAYS getting jammed and needs fixing. Also it's no good for transporting specimens either.
I didn't know this. I'm smarter today.
Hey destin!
Indeed.
Destin :)
Colab
Maybe you can melt parafilm and make it flow in a laminar fashion.
I'm a software engineer, but my mom used to work in a lab. So I love parafilm. I once used parafilm to mend a violin bow I snapped right before a concert. I still carry a folded piece of parafilm in my wallet.
It's a useful thing to carry!
The only thing I've ever seen it used for is tree grafting and wrapping the buds on a cutting that is either going to be rooted or grafted to something else to keep them from drying out. I can't believe it's used to all that other stuff. I learned something ,thanks.
Glad you’re back!
I never heard of parafilm before, it seems incredibly useful in the lab.
Parafilm is often used to wrap plant grafts. The scion, ( dormant twig with desireable fruit or flowers) is cut at the base in a way matching the cut on the rootstock (= tree you are grafting the scion onto). the scion away from the rootstock is commonly wrapped in Parafilm with a strip a few inches long hanging free. Then the cut end is attached and the Parafilm wrapped around it to both mechanically hold the twig in place a little and prevent dehydration before the bark grows together. When the connection is made buds grow through the Parafilm. Best to have it only one layer deep with some two layer overlap and shade graft till buds
break through so it does not overheat....Many ways to graft this is only one.
Nice to see you post something again. I was just going over your old videos the other day as I missed having new ones.
There are more new ones coming! I have a couple already filmed an on their way to being edited. Grad school has been... overwhelming lately, but my videos are coming back :)
I have used this very successfully to seal perfume bottles before shipping. I make sure the crystal or glass stopper is turned well in until it stops. Then I take a Parafilm strip about 1" x 3" long, start stretching it at one end, and then holding the stretched end against the perfume bottle, slowly start winding and stretching all the time, round and round the place where the stopper and the neck meet, and even over the top and back around the neck. When I am near the end of the strip, I pull it down against the bottle so that the receiver can find the end. Magic! Even if the bottle leaks a little bit, the Parafilm holds the liquid and it doesn't escape and spoil the bottle's label. I was able to buy precut strips from Germany, but any will do.
I found my way here because of Smarter Every Day on Patreon. Great video - now I'm checking out your whole channel!
Welcome!!
Welcome back. It's always a pleasure to see your videos!
Parafilm is my antistress in the lab! I'm in love with it! :D
We missed your channel. This is what should be in TH-cam rewind. I did not get this in my sub box saw from your reels video.
I was looking for piece of information about what parafilm is; but then I become a parafilm school graduate. Thank you 🙏.
Hahaha this is one of my favorite comments eve! I hope it was helpful!
Yes. Indeed. Priceless.
I'm doing some fruit tree cloning. I went to my local garden center, asked the lady if they had Parafilm and she looked at me like I was crazy lol. Not sure where to get this stuff locally aside from buying it off amazon.
Fungi Perfecti from Paul Stamet use to have it.
It's so awesome! Used to use it in the chem lab. I use it now for grafting plants too haha
Yay another Alex Dainis video!!! I shall learn something awesome today!
Parafilm is the greatest thing for covering stuff in the lab if they made it in 18 inch wide straps I'd buy it instead of saran wrap. Also great to see a new video out of you I was starting to wonder if you had given up on youtubing
THEY DO! I didn't know it until this video: Look at the big blue box that Andrew pulls out around 1:35. That's a 20 inch wide roll!
Alex Dainis ash I missed that because I was writing the comment. Also love to see you back on the TH-cam I was starting to miss your bubbly personality.
Until now I didn´t even know that Parafilm exists and I somehow already love it.
Using as a clearer residue free substitute to tape for masking clear parts prior to painting for plastic models. i.e. Aircraft canopies.
Hope you are well, just started using parafilm for my mycelium agar plates, so it was interesting to learn more about!
Cactus collectors love this!
Really?! How is it used? I love finding out new ways people use parafilm :)
It was nice to know about a thing we use everytime in lab but knew nothing about. Thank you!
Parafilm is magic. I don't remember ever ordering any but there was always plenty there. Instead of, like, a Bag of Holding, Parafilm was like a Box of Giving.
This is true! I did realize while filming this however that because the rolls they come in are endless, most of the Parafilm in our lab was likely... very old. There was a noticeable difference in "stretchability" between our (likely *decade* old...) Parafilm and the new box that came in!
That parafilm mixing trick blew.my.mind. Going to use that for my experiments now!
Right?! One of the other grad students in my lab showed it to me as a way to mix samples with loading buffer before electrophoresis and it blew my mind too! It also ended up saving me so many extra tubes that I was just wasting on mixing.
Last video I saw from you was "DNA In Space." I went to your videos and noticed you've uploaded at least two more videos!? I had no notifications. I guess I'll use that bell thingy. Can't way too see more content from you!
Man how exciting - parafilm isn't cheap I reckon you saved your lab some money there ;) i love having a tiny piece and stretching it out as far as possibel!
You gotta have the right temp.
Wow after a long time we are seeing you back.
Se usa también en los viveros de producción de plantas para envolver el injerto
slowly but surely I am sealing all my closed whisky bottles with an extra layer of protection using this.
I love your use of reels on TH-cam. And I love this channel
Thanks! I like the idea of using reels to get more science out there :)
Alex Dainis your doing an amazing job
is paraflm airtight? will it prevent evaporation of solvents containing alcohol or perfumes if its used to seal the bottle?
What is the number on the parafilm?
For example 11 12
I have the same question, but in my parafilm appears 17 and 18
I once used parafilm to make a spinning top out of a pipette tip and a ceramic ring from what I think was an inductor (which came from an old computer's power supply)
Small pieces of parafilm between the corners of a stack of paper with a hot air gun, and then it's a real lab staple.
Oh I love this idea!
Thank you for the video and welcome back!
You're finally back!!!
And I have more videos coming!
I usually just use parafilm to cover volatile chemicals so they don't evaporate away when I store them for a while. It's cool to see the uses for it in biology.
It is good for plant grafting too.
You gave summer students scissors...? You're one brave grad student!
Not every summer student earns scissors, but these ones were special ;)
Long time no see! I really enjoyed this video!
Has anyone gone through one parafilm roll? These things seem to last forever! Judging by their retro look, my hypothesis is that parafilm rolls are self-regenerating and that only a few were made a long time ago. I demand isotopic dating! :p
Talking about this video with a professor in my department, she remarked on the fact that the packaging instructs "When empty, reorder from your laboratory supplier," and how silly that is, because, do they think you wouldn't do that on your own? But also, no one could ever remember having to have done so...
I remember that one of the analytical chemistry labs in my university was running short of parafilm, so us students were told to use it with restraint.
btw, I loved this video, and so did my colleagues with which I shared it!
Using parafilm with restraint is a hard task! And I'm so glad you liked it :)
2:42 but, it raises a new question !!! What is "chartex" ?
Parafilm is also used in bartending alot just to prevent those pesky alcohol bottles from evaporating away.
I love parafilm! I want to get a pack myself for home use cuz it's so handy in the lab 😂
i am curious if it is reactive to acids or alcohols(breaks down or dissolved).. or if it is non conducting of electricity
Yayyyyy you're back! We missed you
Is this used for covered organic solvent in test tube after extraction ???? And is it also good to put tubes in freezer ???
I somehow never made the connection between parafilm and paraffin, interesting!
About time! You finally uploaded ... Can i get a hallelujah 😂😂
And there are more coming soon (for real this time!!!)
Btw that book " fundamentals of cartography" is indian and sometimes the high school students have a need to refer to books of the same kind because of topography work we have to do in school.
Oh cool! It did seem useful!
Is it normal that my parafilm is separated from the protective layer? When I dispense it, it's already detached.
The research is strong with this one.
Do you know why a number appears on the paper that cover para film?
And now I crave this thing I didn’t know existed five minutes ago. 😮
It has that effect. It's the funky stetchable and self sticking properties with chemical and air resistance that naturally appeals to people. Nerdy-biology people that is.
Definitly going to mapmount something on my labcoat
That would be SO COOL
This moment, if you get a push notification about this video, currently having a box of parafilm in hand in lab... :D
But I NEVER saw such a big role of parafilm :O
Me either!!!! I was shocked!
Oh nice! maps...so kind of like the laminating of paper things with plastic teacher do in school~!
As I was got smarter as well today!!!! Thank you so much
What happen if i didnt not stretch the parafilm tape does it affect the gaseous exchange??? im using if to seal petri dish
I've searched high and low for an answer, so I'll try here. I'm trying to find out if wrapping individual batteries in Parafilm to protect them from moisture and the elements when in the field (outdoors) will work... anyone know anything about this or if there is a reason I shouldn't wrap a battery in Parafilm?
Where is Bumhead? Or is this just Bemis solo?
I need to learn how to use parafilm to seal a petri dish properly for agar work with mycology.
I love your videos. I am writing a novel, so your videos are so helpful!
Oh cool!!! I don’t know how my videos are novel-helpful, but I’m glad they are! Best of luck 😊
Best teacher ever!
Is there an alternative for parafilm that you can use for sealing?
My fav use is grafting trees!
I'm searching for a cheap source of parafilm or no brand paraffin grafting tape and that's how i found out this vid! :)
Did you ever find one?
Can you tell me where I can purchase some please parafilm
It is used a lot for grafting fruit trees
It is also used alot by us, chemists, and for weighting small weights :D
thank you. this is realy help me know what it's.
I love to graft with parafilm🌱
I guess that's one way to get lab equipment on a tight budget.
I wonder if they sell this thing worldwide? 🤔
I used Parafilm to fix my broken glasses. Boom!
Have you thought about doing a video on the current tax overhaul? I want to go to graduate school, but tax changes are making me think I'll never get there, due to taxing tuition waivers as income.
I have thought about this, mostly because I've been constantly worried about it for weeks, but there's definitely an "but I'm not a tax attorney, I can't talk about that" mental roadblock in my way :(
since you refer to them as summer lab students, did you shoot this in the summer and not upload until now?
...maybe. It's been a busy few months!
Hey I'm not sure what major I should do because I love chemestry but not big on biology what would you recomend
GO SEE EVERY MSDS FOR THE CHEMICALS Befor YOU MANIPULATE them
every potencial and glassware you like take it to your lab ;) same things with all product found at the grocerystore and drugstore and anf garden store and pool suply store for salt, sulfur, potassium nitrate, amonnium nitrate(coldpack), potassium clhorate (sodium free salt replacement), chlorine, etcetcetcetc xD tthis is wath im doing xD and its fun a made all sort of other compound ... etcetc
0:34 is giving me war flashbacks
I want to be a summer student in your lab just to be filmed opening a massive box of parafilm :D can you give us a hint about the next videos?:)
Yay new vid
can you tell us a little about your experience in scientific writing and publishing papers
I really like the vid but we still don’t know what it is 😖
Can you recycle it?
Hey Alex! How are you? My name is Felipe and I'm a 17yo Brazilian Education TH-camr which was inspired a lot by your videos. In my channel I do a lot of chemistry experiments inside a homemade lab! Well, I actually want to thank you for being a motivation for me during this TH-cam years, your passion for science makes me realize that we still have brilliant minds thinking and creating. Congratulations for your work and please keep doing it, you definitely have a worldwide public and I'll help translating your videos to Portuguese if you wish so! A big shout out from Brazil! :)
Hey quick question would the parafilm used for nursery grafting be the same? I'd like to get some but the m parafilm is a bit up there lol any advice is welcome thanks!
wait for it !..... @ 1:44.. laugh = awesome !
I think i'm contacting Bemis.
Are you the "bitescized" chick?
Also, in your weird "look, TH-cam has snapchat now" video, mobile users can't click on the link.
Glad to have found this channel if you are who I think
Ive never heard of parafilm. Definitely looks useful, but also kinda expensive.
While true, I don't know anyone who has ever finished a roll. Each box may actually be infinite...
You nerds. You love Parafilm. I understand 😍.
It doesn't like pathology machines. We have a machine that caps tubes with parafilm and it is ALWAYS getting jammed and needs fixing. Also it's no good for transporting specimens either.
The most expensive saran wrap you will ever buy.
Before this I never knew parafilm existed.
I'm here for knowledge and you can offer more so I hit the subscribe button. 👍
use parafilm for grafting plants.
Could those be used... as... condoms?
Parafilm is the shit
Plastic makes things happy, like "lab rats" :) But not seas! Seas don't like plastic, at all...
Any saxophone players out there?
The guy is sawing through the side of the box, this doesn't look good.
Alex, you look great but you never needed makeup to make great videos. This just the signs of being done with your dissertation and being stress free?
Hahahaha, oh no, wait until you see the upcoming "week in the life!" blog where I am makeup free but definitely not stress free!
That's some shit you put on stuff to keep shit in