Drinkmixer instead of stir plate

fivehoursfree · Jan 20, 2009

I stumbled into one of these things at the store earlier today:
Sport Drink Mixer (battery operated)

Has anyone had any experience with using something like this to mix up a starter, instead of the stir plate. I would think sanitizing it would be a concern (it uses an impeller) , and it may be a bit smaller (1 liter I think).
This is assuming I could rig up the switch to stay on all the time.

NewBrew75 · Jan 20, 2009

Sounds like you are on to something, but yeah, I'd be worried about sanitation. Although you could spin some sanitizer through it and it might work. It also looks pretty small, but if it is at least a liter, it should work ok. And yes, you would definately have to rig it up to a plug in DC source, unless you want to change the batteries every half hour. Let us know what happens!

david_42 · Jan 21, 2009

I suspect the motor would burn up, it's probably designed to run 30-40 seconds at a time.

alpo · Jan 21, 2009

Yeah, probably not worth the risk since you can make one yourself for like $20.

As already mentioned, sanitation is probably going to be an issue because the propeller is probably permanently attached, so stuff can get up under there. I would worry about the life of that motor too. PC fans are made to run all day and night.

Lastly, it only looks like 12 or 16 ounces to me. Not really enough for a proper starter.

I, personally, don't think it'd be worth $10+shipping to even take the chance.

Joe Camel · Jan 21, 2009

Extended operation will probably also wear out the plastic seal that's keeping the liquid away from the motor. If you can find one with an overhead drive that you can slow down, you might have better success.

fivehoursfree · Jan 24, 2009

Yea, I saw the drink stirrer thing, and it had a nice picture of a whirlpool on the box, and all I could think of was the pictures of a flask of starter whirling on a stir plate. It was only like 8 bucks at the store I saw it at.

I have this thing going on in my head, where I see things in the world and at stores mainly, and I start thinking how I could use them for brewing. I can't walk by a bucket or water cooler jug without wondering if its useable. My girlfriend has to slap my hand when I try to pick bottles off the street, or bring them back from a party.