I have been looking and studying this website (garden junk  hypertufa-etc.) for a while, taking in all of the information that I could find.
I have now took up mushroom making, while IÂm not an expert on this or anything I will tell you what I have tried and what I like best. And mind you that I am cheap, and try to do this with a lot less effort or money.

1. I like plastic the best of all; itÂs easy to use and easy to clean up.

2. IÂve read to use PAM, armorall, Vaseline, and others as a release agent. I used PAM for a while, and it works well, but it is to pricy to spray on plastic. I tried the off brand from the Dollar Tree and it was just a big mess. I have now taken cooking oil and put it in a spray bottle, and it works fine.

3. I do not know if Styrofoam will work. I went to the flea market and purchased some plastic cups (Hardees, Burger King, and McDonalds) from a vendor for about 2 bucks for 30. You will need to spray them also. Note: Do not fill the all of the way up. I leave about ¼ to ½ of an inch at the top. I leave it 24 hours and the turn upside down and hit it on the table and it slides right out.

4. As I said earlier I am cheap and I also have a little streak of lazy, so to make things simple I purchased the "sand / topping mix", and it is made by quikrete. The sand / topping mix already has the sand and Portland mixed together. I also purchased a bag of vermiculite. My recipe that I use is 1 to 1. Add enough water to hold together, but not make it runny and you are all set to go.

I have made about 20 mushrooms so far and everything works out fine. The more you do the more comfortable you will be with it. I hope this helps.