What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post Reply
User avatar
Dutch
Brewmaster
Posts: 1248
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:54 pm
Location: Evansville

What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by Dutch » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:56 pm

Just curious as I have seen a number of these powered by computer muffin fans with magnet followers. Isn't that far too fast? I was thinking in the 30 rpm range?
Dutch deHaan • OVHA Board Member


Twenty-four hours in a day, twenty-four beers in a case - COINCIDENCE?

User avatar
Don
Brewmaster
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:18 pm
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by Don » Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:59 am

I put a rheostat (potentiometer) @ 25 Ohm in the circuit that lets me adjust the speed.
I also added an adjustable power supply, 6, 7.5 & 12 vdc. This help me adjust the speed and power when I have a 5 liter Erlenmeyer flask or a 2 liter, heavy slurry or light one.
When I have a large yeast starter for my lagers I will need to turn up the pot to get a little more power.
As of RMP I have no idea, I've never measured.
Don Heisler

-------------------------
Brewers make wort, yeast make beer, God is good.

User avatar
ArtCox
Brewmaster
Posts: 334
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:13 pm
Location: Madisonville, Ky

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by ArtCox » Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:12 am

30 RPM's in a slug slurry may not turn at all.. plus the weight of magnet will slow it down some. It's not going to turn at 2000 RPM's or what ever the fan is rated for.
"If you can't stand the hops, get out of the brewhouse!"

Next Brew:
Primary:
Secondary: Seven C's of Rye
Bottled:
On Tap: SMaSH Mouth Vinnie
Upcoming Brews: Gumball Machine, Lil Irish Redhead, "Fat Bastard" Heavy Scottish Ale, Bonzai Rye,

User avatar
sirgiovanni
Brewmaster
Posts: 1059
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:53 am
Location: Evansville

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by sirgiovanni » Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:23 am

The best thing you can do is have too much power. EBAY has used lab equipment. Just have to watch for the right one. The ones you build or buy from a brew store are just too limited.
What would Jesus Brew?
Jimmy

User avatar
Chris Norrick
Brewmaster
Posts: 2544
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:21 pm
Location: Evansville, IN
Contact:

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by Chris Norrick » Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:41 pm

Both of the ones I built, one from an old AC muffin fan, and one from a new, really cheap DC muffin fan can handle 1/2 to 3/4 gallon starters in 1 gallon jugs with no problem. It will pull the vortex to the stir rod. The DC one will throw the stir rod off the magnet at full power but that is mainly due to the fact that the jugs have a convex bottom. A flat bottom flask has no trouble.

Now a surplus HEATED stir plate would be a nice investment! My AC one actually builds up some heat as it runs but the DC does not.
Chris Norrick
Up Next: OVHA Barrel Brew
Fermenting:
On Tap:

User avatar
sirgiovanni
Brewmaster
Posts: 1059
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:53 am
Location: Evansville

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by sirgiovanni » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:23 pm

Holy crap, I stand corrected!
What would Jesus Brew?
Jimmy

User avatar
SkyBrew
Brewmaster
Posts: 1641
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 11:47 pm

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by SkyBrew » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:13 am

Does anyone have any extra foam stoppers for a 2L erlenmeyer flask? I just need one, if you do would you please bring it to the meeting tommorrow and I'll pay ya?
Sky B.

User avatar
sirgiovanni
Brewmaster
Posts: 1059
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:53 am
Location: Evansville

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by sirgiovanni » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:38 am

I won't be at the meeting this month. But aluminum foil works great. ;-)
What would Jesus Brew?
Jimmy

User avatar
ArtCox
Brewmaster
Posts: 334
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:13 pm
Location: Madisonville, Ky

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by ArtCox » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:41 am

I agree with Jimmy, soak a piece of aluminum foil in Star-San and put over the top.
"If you can't stand the hops, get out of the brewhouse!"

Next Brew:
Primary:
Secondary: Seven C's of Rye
Bottled:
On Tap: SMaSH Mouth Vinnie
Upcoming Brews: Gumball Machine, Lil Irish Redhead, "Fat Bastard" Heavy Scottish Ale, Bonzai Rye,

User avatar
SkyBrew
Brewmaster
Posts: 1641
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 11:47 pm

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by SkyBrew » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:42 pm

Yea its more for me, I just like things to look neat... :beer7
Sky B.

User avatar
SkyBrew
Brewmaster
Posts: 1641
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 11:47 pm

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by SkyBrew » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:58 pm

Instead of using starsan on the flask and aluminum foil to sanitize I sterilized it in the oven at 340F for 60mins.. I read that in "How To Brew".. I still used star san on the magnetic stir rod and funnel though. I wasnt sure if the stir rod was oven safe..
Sky B.

User avatar
msjulian
Brewmaster
Posts: 1665
Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:01 pm
Location: Newburgh, IN

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by msjulian » Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:31 pm

I find that when the yeast starter looks like this it is a little fast..

Michael Julian

User avatar
Don
Brewmaster
Posts: 1768
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:18 pm
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

Re: What is the ideal speed for a Stir Plate

Post by Don » Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:30 pm

Whats it's look like on high speed?
Don Heisler

-------------------------
Brewers make wort, yeast make beer, God is good.

Post Reply