Advice needed on buying heated stir plate

[SRJHops]

Could anyone give a recommendation on an economical heated stir plate? Under $100?

I have to make starters in a cold (60 degree) room, so I need to have a little heat. Some of the heated stir plates I've researched so far don't seem to have very good/stable heat control -- at least not ones that are very affordable...

 

[RPh_Guy]

No reason you need to combine the functions into one device.
With a limited budget I would recommend a separate method of heating, like a lightbulb, heat lamp, or heat mat that you plug into a controller with a probe insulated against the flask. Then you could also use these things for controlling the batch fermentation temperature if you aren't already doing that (otherwise use what you have already).

Cheers

 

[SRJHops]

No reason you need to combine the functions into one device.
With a limited budget I would recommend a separate method of heating, like a lightbulb, heat lamp, or heat mat that you plug into a controller with a probe insulated against the flask. Then you could also use these things for controlling the batch fermentation temperature if you aren't already doing that (otherwise use what you have already).

Cheers

Thanks. I do have a pad and controller so that is a good option.

 

[Loud Brewing]

Heated plates do however make things like forced d tests a breeze. I would def pick one up if you have the spare coin.

 

[Deadalus]

No reason you need to combine the functions into one device.
With a limited budget I would recommend a separate method of heating, like a lightbulb, heat lamp, or heat mat that you plug into a controller with a probe insulated against the flask. Then you could also use these things for controlling the batch fermentation temperature if you aren't already doing that (otherwise use what you have already).

Cheers

I have the same problem of a cold basement. Do you just put the stir plate on top of the heating mat or maybe coil around it as a cylinder? I'd bring the plates upstairs but most of the time I have one of those clickety bars in it and they drive me nuts!

 

[RPh_Guy]

I would probably put it around the flask, not under it.

 

[SRJHops]

I have the same problem of a cold basement. Do you just put the stir plate on top of the heating mat or maybe coil around it as a cylinder? I'd bring the plates upstairs but most of the time I have one of those clickety bars in it and they drive me nuts!

I was thinking of buying this little $10 heating wrap. It looks to me like it would work quite nicely combined with the controller I already have (for the larger heating mat I wrap around the carboy):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073PTZCJ4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_MDUtEbE5TS8XS

 

[Deadalus]

I was thinking of buying this little $10 heating wrap. It looks to me like it would work quite nicely combined with the controller I already have (for the larger heating mat I wrap around the carboy):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073PTZCJ4/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_MDUtEbE5TS8XS

Thanks for the link.

I have two of the 10X20's and one 20X20 from that same company for garden starts, no issues with them so far. I've been using them this winter on my ales though. The temperature controller for those has a little suction cup on the probe which could be useful here too.

I might try the light option too as I have a clip on one not being used at the moment for seedlings.

 

[RPh_Guy]

I recommend insulating the probe against the flask. Stick it on with some tape and then tape something over it.

Here's an image of how I insulated my probe and I wrap a FermWrap against a carboy:

I keep it further insulated with a simple reflectix cylinder I made:

I think you could do something similar with a flask on a stir plate (even though I would probably use a lightbulb or heat lamp instead). The heater doesn't necessarily need to be in contact with the flask.

Here's a better image with just the probe and insulation over it

You can also use a sponge or folded sock for insulation

Hope this helps

 

[day_trippr]

Absolutely true, isolation from chamber temperature is as important as providing as good a contact with the vessel as possible if there's going to be any benefit vs a dangled sensor. I use inch-thick closed cell foam scavenged from product cartons and velcro straps...

Cheers!