Stir plate and flask

[redrocker652002]

Where is the best place to get a stir plate and flask? I have looked at NB, Austin Home Brew and Morebeer and all in they are over 100 bucks. Any deals out there?

 

[Tony B]

Amazon? OfferUp ?

 

[mac_1103]

Wort Whipper at BrewHardware and a two liter flask. But if you want to make big starters you'll have to spend more.

 

[mac_1103]

Although shipping to the west coast might set you back a bit more than you'd like.

 

[505-Brewer]

Get a shaker instead. Worth the funds if you make a lot of starters.

 

[IslandLizard]

Get a shaker instead. Worth the funds if you make a lot of starters.

+10 to that!
I acquired 2 (decommissioned) lab-grade (orbital) shakers from a homebrew friend. Still work wonders for yeast starters.

Aside from flasks, pretty much any type of jug or jar will work on a shaker.
In addition to 2 liter flasks I also use 1/2 gallon (64oz) pickle jars for starter vessels. I can fit 4 of those on one shaker. 1500ml starters is about the limit for that size jar, though, sloshing needs some headspace.

 

[Drinking Sensibly]

If cost is an issue, make one. Also fits in with the homebrew ethos. Plenty of ideas of how to go about it on the internet.

 

[k-daddy]

This is my second stir-plate (first one was too small, plastic and generally poorly constructed). I've been very happy with it... and BTW, a great company for your all of your brewing needs. https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/stirplatenoreaster.htm

 

[rallenhall]

Got my commercial-grade stir plate years ago from a lab selling off old equipment on Ebay.

 

[redrocker652002]

Thanks to all who replied. I have been using a gallon jug and doing the SNS method. I thought a stir plate might be better so you all have given me a good start to looking for something.

 

[brewbama]

I haven’t used my stirplate to make a starter for yrs. I use a growler and shake the $#!+ out of it thru-out brewday

 

[redrocker652002]

I haven’t used my stirplate to make a starter for yrs. I use a growler and shake the $#!+ out of it thru-out brewday

That's what I did the two times I tried making a starter.

 

[bailey mountain brewer]

A starter should be done days ahead of time, given time to "grow", then floc out, chill, and decant off the liquid so you can pitch the healthy yeast, not shake the whole thing and dump the oxidized beer/yeast mixture into your freshly made wort... you want the healthy slurry on the bottom of the container, not the whole works.

You can do a vitality starter that way, using some of the wort from your mash, allow that to get your yeast up and running while you do the rest of your brew day, gives them a jumpstart so to speak..

 

[MikeCo]

I have a Nor’easter from Brew Hardware and it works well.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/stirplatenoreaster.htm

 

[whoaru99]

Got my commercial-grade stir plate years ago from a lab selling off old equipment on Ebay.

Same here.

Got a Corning one off eBay that fits nicely under a 5L (or is it 6L??) Erlenmeyer.

 

[Deadalus]

They can often be found on the FB Marketplace too. Finding one with heat can be harder but would be nice. They are usually lab quality though and not cheap.

 

[BongoYodeler]

I have a Nor’easter from Brew Hardware and it works well.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/stirplatenoreaster.htm

Me too. Used with a 3000ml flask makes starters a breeze.

 

[redrocker652002]

Thanks to all. I was watching some Youtube vids on how to make one and they look pretty cool. Might give that a shot and use an old computer fan from a computer I have laying around. Gonna check out the links too and see what is there.

 

[Willy]

I made the DIY stir plate out of a computer fan and two strong little magnets super glued to the fan hub. Works great and cost less than $15. I made i little frame for the computer fans out of scrap wood. The fan assembly is slightly recessed - so the flask weight sits on the wood frame and doesn't scrape or slow down the fan blades.

The computer fan i got has the ac included with a small knob controlling speed.