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Is a 4.5cm stirrer going to be big enough to properly stir a 2L starter on a stir plate?

I picked 2 of them up at the local cheap shop for $99 cents each!

Yep. Mine are about that size.

I was thinking of using my sanitary filter and aeration stone to keep oxygen in the wort as it is stirring, would that be going overboard?

Yep. The yeast only need oxygen at the start, I'm not sure what would happen if you keep aerating over the whole fermentation.

Theoretically, you'd get a low alcohol beer with incredibly high DMS.

Edit: That shouldn't be DMS, it should be esters and diacetyl.

Kevnlis wrote:Is a 4.5cm stirrer going to be big enough to properly stir a 2L starter on a stir plate?

I picked 2 of them up at the local cheap shop for $99 cents each!

You picked up 2 what? Stir bars? Seriously? I haven't been able to track any down. I built my own magnetic stirrer well over a year ago, but haven't been able to track down any stir bars.

Well I was thinking if I kept the yeast in the adaptive phase it would just keep reproducing and would build the yeast up faster? Plus I would think it would create alot more yeast. Maybe I am wrong, worth a shot though!

As for your comment Chris about lower alcohol, that would be ideal for a starter I would think.

TF, I indeed did get 2x 4.5cm stir bars for $1.99 at the local cheap shop. They are called "singing magnets" but look feel and act just like any stir bar would. They are meant to be a stress reliever I guess. The cheap shop was Crazy Clarks, I suppose I could mail you a couple if you want to e-mail me your details.

I got my stir bars online from Science Supply Australia, got some conical flasks too, which have nice flat bottoms which is important if you're using magnetic stir bars so that they stay on top of the magnets and don't make too much of a racket.

Livingstonein Sydney supplies heaps of stir bars, flasks etc as well...

Cheers,
TL

Can you use something else beside a lab grade stir bar to stir your starter? not keen on the postage cost for one stir bar cheers

I use a pair of these:

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/i ... t&p=269925

Hot glued one to an 80mm case fan and built a speed controlled for the fan. Mounted it under the conical and put the other magnet inside the conical. It is not flawless yet, but I will get there

I was thinking of just hooking up the computer fan to a car battery, do you really need a certain speed for the stirrer?

Yes you definitely have to have speed control. Ideally you want to be able to fully stop the fan and slowly bring it up to speed.

I made one out of a case fan, a potentiometer, and a couple of rare earth magnets. I use a real stirrer bar though. In my dreams, I'd love to do my own yeast culturing, but time, money, &c intervene. <sigh>

T.

Stop, start and even heat if its a touch cold.....



It followed me home from work and mum said i could keep it!

DrS...

Love your work on the aquisition. they arent cheap, but like me you probably have/had a heap laying around the lab not being used because everyone has upgraded to shaking water baths or incubators.

I have been tempted to BORROW one of those stirrers and a peristalting pump... but havent had the courage...

If i had the chance, i'd take home one of the incubators, but i think they'd miss it...

The problem is working in a PC2 containment lab, god know whats been spilt/is growing in/on the equipment...

James L wrote:I have been tempted to BORROW one of those stirrers and a peristalting pump... but havent had the courage...

The problem is working in a PC2 containment lab, god know whats been spilt/is growing in/on the equipment...

I don't know your position with in the Lab, but I would ask and tell them what you want to use it for and how long your gonna need it, If there are a few and there not being used I can't see why they would say no, my work would let me.

and who knows the person you asked may leave

Cheers
Ron