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tomasej · 11-01-2010, 12:32 AM

I actually had a great DIY stirplate that I made from a cigar box and some old computer stuff. The only problem is my stirbars became magnetized because I kept them inside the cigar box for storage. They inevitably "found" one of my extra earth magnets (used to keep the stirbar stuck to the flask when pouring) and became magnets. Now they don't hold to the magnet well and end up spinning right off as soon as I turn it on. I checked the web and can't find a way to "un-magnetize" the stirbars. I guess I can chalk this up as another lessons learned. They are now stuck to my kegerator and actually hold really well.

Quaffer · 11-01-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomasej

I actually had a great DIY stirplate that I made from a cigar box and some old computer stuff. The only problem is my stirbars became magnetized because I kept them inside the cigar box for storage. They inevitably "found" one of my extra earth magnets (used to keep the stirbar stuck to the flask when pouring) and became magnets. Now they don't hold to the magnet well and end up spinning right off as soon as I turn it on. I checked the web and can't find a way to "un-magnetize" the stirbars. I guess I can chalk this up as another lessons learned. They are now stuck to my kegerator and actually hold really well.

This is odd. All my stirbars are magnets and have always been so. They stick to eachother end-to-end. I thought this was necessary for them to be held by the driving magnet. Your'e saying that yours were not magnets at one time?

Catt22 · 11-01-2010, 01:51 AM

AFAIK, all stir bars have a magnet embedded inside. They should be stored in pairs stuck together to help preserve their magnetic properties. I have yet to see a stir bar that was not magnetic, but from what I've heard, they can lose or weaken their magnetic properties if subjected to strong shock such as if dropped repeatedly. Thrown stir bars are usually an indication of poorly aligned or spaced drive magnets. Stir bars can be damaged though, so that is a possibility, but I doubt that the problem is due to them suddenly becoming magnetized when before they were not.

**IrregularPulse** · 11-01-2010, 01:55 AM

agreed. Mine stuck to each other right when I got them. Ordered 2. Seem to work.

**Yuri_Rage** · 11-01-2010, 01:59 AM

My stir bars are all magnets. In a pinch, a piece of plastic coated steel works, but not nearly as well.

Catt22 · 11-01-2010, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrregularPulse

agreed. Mine stuck to each other right when I got them. Ordered 2. Seem to work.

I once bought a pair of stir bars and the package had instructions recommending to store them stuck together. They were packaged that way too. I'm not making this up!

tomasej · 11-01-2010, 09:46 AM

All,

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I thought that was my "smoking gun" and did not look anymore into it. If they were always magnetic then I wonder what has gone wrong with my stir plate. The thing worked great before and now all of a sudden it's throwing stir bars. I might try replacing the rheostat next. Thanks again.