Hey Dean
I buy the bricks blocks 5 kg I believe for 40$ it makes about 5 3 gal pots . I soak it for 30-60 mins in warm hot ish water to cook it. This will expand it. Then I stir occasionally. I then add some enzyme cleaner in it. Stir again..then I put and fill pots then rinse with normal tap water until run off is clear enough I am happy with this stuff has to be the best stuff I've bought in that regards.
Oh I add perlite in as well this time I did around 20 percent per pot..
Thanks for stopping by buddy