Yet another stir plate option

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:15 am

In case anyone is looking for a stir plate and don't really want to go the DIY route, here's a guy who builds pretty much the same thing for only $42 including the stir bar and shipping.

http://www.stirstarters.com/index.html

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:30 am

I contacted him in January this year and this was his reply. Was a nice guy. He also uses the two circle magnets like Lee and some others I found on the web.

CJ, I didn't give you the $5 for magnets last night. Let me know when you are getting ready to place an order so I can get you the cash.

______
Hi, Matt

Thanks for the inquiry.

5L flask? I think that may be more than my little old StirStarter can handle, although I do have a customer in Texas who has sent me a photo of his 4L flask on my stir plate.

If you want to try one of my stir plates, there is no risk to you. If it doesn't perform to your satisfaction, I will refund the purchase price and pay for the return shipping.

Regards,
Dan Jeska
www.stirstarters.com

On Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 4:40 PM, Franklin, Matthew <MFranklin@aegonusa.com> wrote:
> I have a 5 L flask for doing large starters. Is this too big for your
> stirplates?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Matt Franklin

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:47 am

Matt, I have you on the list of people for new magnets. Even if you don't get up with me before I put the order in, I will cover until you pick up the magnets.

TappedOut · Post by **TappedOut** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:40 am

I got one of his stir plates a while back. Works as advertised, and at a good price.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 12:09 pm

I should point out that most people could complete a stir plate at home for less money usually about $15 - $20. This is because most people usually have items that they can use to build from around the house.

Most people have a computer fan sitting around there house, or an old 12v DC power supply, an old box that can be used as a housing for the assembly, even an old hard drive that you can steal magnets out of.

The last one that I build cost me about $4 or $5. That is because the only thing I had to purchase was a Potometer, dial, and power switch along with some wire connectors.

The main reason these cost so much is that for the sake of a group event, I wanted everyone building the same item with the same supplies. It would have been 10x more complicate if everyone showed up with different items that they had kicking around the house.

So before you run off and purchase one for $45. Think about it, and look around your house. There is a good chance that you have almost all the supplies you need to build your own for a couple of dollars.

The DIY event was more about getting your hands dirty and building a unit, so that you have the knowledge and ability to build one just using conceptual ideas and some parts from around your home.

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:58 pm

Jeremy,
I did not mean to take anything away from the tech meting, and I agree that if you already have the parts and the technical skills to make one then that is a great option. I merely offered it to as an alternative for those who lack the skills or the desire to build one themselves. I just didn't want anyone to spend the $$ I see them being sold for at other shops online.

brownbeard · Post by **brownbeard** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:33 am

For me, the tech project was less about getting a cheap stir plate, than it was about doing a project with my beer nuts buddies. I had a good time that night.

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:01 am

I agree with Tim. CJ, thanks for hosting the tech meeting. I was one of the few who couldn't get the plate to work but that isn't unusual for me. I have trouble screwing in lightbulbs.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:07 pm

A schucks Tim…thanks.. you’re a swell guy too!

I just read an interesting article on stir plates and starters in my recent NB catalog.. good timing..I’m ready to stir… baby stir…

From: brownbeard [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 11:33 AM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: Yet another stir plate option

For me, the tech project was less about getting a cheap stir plate, than it was about doing a project with my beer nuts buddies. I had a good time that night.

You can't get with this with a bad hip - Matt

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:08 pm

Guy's I know you all meant well, and meant no offence either. I just wanted to re-iterate the stir plate thing. Because I don't want to turn people off to doing the DIY appoach because I my a dumb decision.

I choose to do a more complicated design because I had burnt out a podometer in a previous one that is a straight wiring design (wired directly from the power supply to the pot to the fan) very simple that anyone could do, with how long it takes to burn one up and the cost, it really is a decent enough solution.

Also the cost thing, I just wanted to make all aware that it can be done for less, it seems silly to build one at the same price you can buy one, but again this was a product of trying to get 12 people together to build something. If we were all building different things with different parts, it would have been a nightmare and it was difficult enough.

So anyway, I just wanted to people to make sure to check there options, especially if cost is a significant factor involved. When it is the choice of not having a stir plate or spending 6 dollars, then it can be an important brewing factor.

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:07 pm

Did the $35 for the stir plate include the stir bar? If not, can I get one locally or do I need to send for one?