National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Taf on January 08, 2014, 06:05:36 PM

Title: Stir Plate
Post by: Taf on January 08, 2014, 06:05:36 PM
Hi All.

I'm thinking of buying a stir plate from amazon in US, as I have a voucher, and I cant find anything else I want to buy with it.

What do people think of the below. There doesn't seem to be a lot of detail, so I'm wondering what size starter I could put on it, and will I have issues with the american plug? With my voucher it will cost me about $40.

http://www.amazon.com/HJ-1-Magnetic-Stirrer-Stir-Bars/dp/B005F7R8Z8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_6

Thanks,
Billy.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 08, 2014, 06:23:16 PM
The main issue would be the 110V input which would require a transformer to get working over here. 
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Rossa on January 08, 2014, 10:12:57 PM
You could make one. Dead easy. How big is you flask?
Title: Stir Plate
Post by: Ciderhead on January 08, 2014, 10:28:51 PM
Like this one for 15 yo yos

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=5056.msg63051#msg63051
The magnets are strong it even spun on my concave 1 gal Demi
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Taf on January 09, 2014, 01:00:27 PM
Thanks lads, but should have said that I don't really want to build one, as my skills are limited when it comes to wires, or if a job involves anything more advanced than a hammer. I tried to make a heat source for my fermenting fridge out of a lightbulb and a tin box, and ended up with a melted base, and visions of nearly burning down my garage. My own fault, but nobody told me I needed a vent on the tin! I have certain skills, but building things isn't one of them, so will keep looking for a stir plate.

To answer Rossa's question, I don't have a flask yet, so flexible on it's size, but notices that the amazon one mentions a limit of 1 litre, so not sure if that is too small. I'm only doing regular size batches nowadays, so that might be okay. What's the story with requiring a transformer for a US one, or is there anyone selling these in the UK? Nothing came up when I googled it, apart from extortionate ones on ebay.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: irish_goat on January 09, 2014, 01:34:46 PM
Maybe someone in the club could build a few and sell them on? I'm thinking about getting one myself, and like Taf, wouldn't be the most skilled at wiring. Would rather someone in the NHC made a few quid than someone on Amazon.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Taf on January 09, 2014, 04:57:56 PM
Quote from: iTube on January 09, 2014, 01:46:56 PM
Quote from: Taf on January 09, 2014, 01:00:27 PM
My own fault, but nobody told me I needed a vent on the tin!

Whoever told you to use the tin sent you on the wrong road. Have been using a lightbulb suspended in my fridge for 3 years now, and no fires so far, thankfully!

I thought it was you! But know that I come to think of it, I do remember you having a debate in relation to the merits of the need for a tin. I got a tube heater in the end, which reminds me, I must sort out JohnRM for that.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Taf on January 09, 2014, 04:58:47 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on January 09, 2014, 01:34:46 PM
Maybe someone in the club could build a few and sell them on? I'm thinking about getting one myself, and like Taf, wouldn't be the most skilled at wiring. Would rather someone in the NHC made a few quid than someone on Amazon.
+1 to that
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 19, 2014, 12:29:26 AM
Taf I got my hands on a few professional stirrers. Keep an eye out in the for sale section.  ;)
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Taf on January 19, 2014, 08:17:12 AM
Quote from: shiny on January 19, 2014, 12:29:26 AM
Taf I got my hands on a few professional stirrers. Keep an eye out in the for sale section.  ;)
Excellent. I know there probably isn't a list or anything, but when there is, I'll be straight on it.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 19, 2014, 01:25:45 PM
What do you think of this? I'm looking up prices for them on the internet, it might be out of your budget as I'm finding prices well above £100. The hot plate can do 400W so it can boil up a starter in addition to stirring at room temperature.

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320x240q90/199/wn9q.jpg)

Its a Stuart  SM3, never used. Plate is around 5.5 inch which fits a 2L conical perfectly.
Title: Stir Plate
Post by: Ciderhead on January 19, 2014, 01:36:38 PM
Nnooooooooooo!
50 snots on conicals this month, I would be shot, I thought they were in excess if 4-500!
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 19, 2014, 01:41:32 PM
I have two of them CH.  ;)
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Rossa on January 19, 2014, 02:20:00 PM
I could be persuaded😀
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 19, 2014, 02:38:00 PM
One of them is gone for €100. I will give Taf first refusal on the last one for the same price otherwise I will put it up in the for sale section.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Ciderhead on January 19, 2014, 02:39:25 PM
Ok amazon have one for 195stg with a plate 160x160 square, not the product quality you have tho


Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 19, 2014, 02:46:25 PM
Yeah I found the one I'm selling second hand for £175 but that is a ridiculous amount. I think €100 is a nice little bargain.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 21, 2014, 09:44:26 AM
Taf is taking the other one.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Damien M on January 21, 2014, 10:20:17 AM
Shiny,

If you come across other heated stir plates for that money I'd be interested!
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: irish_goat on January 21, 2014, 10:54:40 AM
Why do you'se need it heated? Surely sticking it somewhere the temp won't fluctuate much is good enough.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Shane Phelan on January 21, 2014, 11:25:37 AM
Of the heat or the speed?
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Ciderhead on January 21, 2014, 11:29:05 AM
It's for boiling wort not keeping at ambient right?


Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: irish_goat on January 21, 2014, 11:31:33 AM
Sure if you have a conical you can just do that on the stove.
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Kieran the Human on January 23, 2014, 10:11:56 AM
Quote from: irish_goat on January 09, 2014, 01:34:46 PM
Maybe someone in the club could build a few and sell them on? I'm thinking about getting one myself, and like Taf, wouldn't be the most skilled at wiring. Would rather someone in the NHC made a few quid than someone on Amazon.

Great idea, I'm useless at wiring, I've got the fan, the magnets attached and all in a housing box but I have no idea what I'm doing with the wiring  ???
Title: Re: Stir Plate
Post by: Damien M on January 23, 2014, 11:02:54 AM
I have build a prototype stir plate,but I am waiting for stir bars, before I can confirm proper operation, but might build 10 and make them available here for those practically challenged among us.

The Heat thing was a lazy option on the putting in a temperature controlled area, but ignored the probable roughness of the temperature control.