FLAMING A LOOP

Heat from the base of the wire first (Fig. 1) and slowly move towards the loop (tip) (Fig. 2). Heat the wire until it is red-hot (Fig. 3).

Remove caps from liquid specimens and replace the caps of the test tubes with the same hand that holds the loop. The caps must be held during the entire procedure, as shown below in Figures 4-6, and not placed on the desktop or contamination may result.
Flame the neck of the tube (as in Fig. 4). If using a plastic tube, flame briefly to avoid melting the opening of the tube. Remove a loop full of the culture with the cooled loop (Fig. 5) and briefly flame the opening of the tube again (Fig. 6).