Re: Magnetic stirrer stirrer?

Hi Rick et. al., Teflon-coated magnetic stir bars. Want one?? I think BME lab supply company located on University (just east of Hwy 280) would have them in stock. For a 2L flask, get one about 1 1/2 - 2" long. Stir at slow speed to keep yeast suspended during initial starter culture growth (first 12 - 18 hours). Once high krausen is reached, no need for stirring...the culture is plenty active on its own! :) Can you boil a wort starter on the mag. stirrer/hotplate surface? Sure! Go for it!! I'm assuming you have a Pyrex-type glass flask. If the surface can get up to temp... use it! Boil the starter as you usually do, PUT THE STIR BAR IN WITH THE WORT SOLUTION NOW. DONT USE STIRRING FEATURE YET. Use only the heater control dial and heat the wort to boiling. Watch the heat a bit....once it hits a rolling boil you may need to back off on the heater control a bit. Depends on how well the stirrer/hotplate heater unit is working.... After the boil shut the hotplate off, cool your starter.... inoculate as usual. When the surface of the stirrer/hotplate has cooled....this can take awhile, but you can "help" the cooling with a damp, cool rag and wipe the surface.... put the starter culture flask on the surface and turn on the stirring feature. Start pretty slow and increase slowly, there is usually quite a lag between turning the dial and actual increase in RPM's of the stir bar. That's it.... Cheers and happy fermenting, Rick! Steve ------ http://USFamily.Net/info - Unlimited Internet - From $8.99/mo! ------