How to build a stir plate for less than ten quid

[Dutto]

...........

How do you know when it's started fermenting? (not that I'm impatient or anything )

I've got my starter and yeast in a flask running nicely on the stir plate.

Would we expect to see some krausen forming on the surface once it's started fermenting, as you would in the FV, or if you just left it without stirring.....

Or is the stir plate mixing all that stuff in?

The stirrer keeps the yeast mixed in with the liquid so expect a change in the colour (brown to beige) as the yeast multiplies and consumes the malt extract.

 

[matt76]

The stirrer keeps the yeast mixed in with the liquid so expect a change in the colour (brown to beige) as the yeast multiplies and consumes the malt extract.

Extract you say... Hmm...

Just messing - I made an all grain starter as I've never owned DME, but that's understood, thanks for the tip

 

[Dutto]

Extract you say... Hmm...

Just messing - I made an all grain starter as I've never owned DME, but that's understood, thanks for the tip

I keep a jar of Holland & Barrett Malt Extract on hand to make Yeast Starters; and H&B have a "Buy One and Get 2nd for a Penny" at the moment.

 

[strange-steve]

I know homebrew is mostly about DIY but having built a few stir plates and then bought this. You can't really argue for £20. Works really well even with my 3litre flask.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/192803187355

I was gonna say something along the lines of "where's the fun in buying when you can bodge and tinker yourself" but since moving to the grainfather after years brewing with homemade mash tuns, chillers, RIMS, eBIAB control panels etc. I don't actually believe that anymore

 

[strange-steve]

Question:

How do you know when it's started fermenting? (not that I'm impatient or anything )

I've got my starter and yeast in a flask running nicely on the stir plate.

Would we expect to see some krausen forming on the surface once it's started fermenting, as you would in the FV, or if you just left it without stirring.....

Or is the stir plate mixing all that stuff in?

Yeah you can't always tell from looking if it's working or not, though sometimes you can't miss it, see below (I think I need a bigger flask)...
I find the easiest way to tell is from a sniff test, you can usually smell the fermentation.

 

[Snoop]

I was gonna say something along the lines of "where's the fun in buying when you can bodge and tinker yourself" but since moving to the grainfather after years brewing with homemade mash tuns, chillers, RIMS, eBIAB control panels etc. I don't actually believe that anymore

It's genuinely far better than either of my homemade stirplates and only marginally more expensive. Though did take 2 weeks to get delivered. To be fair I do also now own a grainfather so perhaps I'm the sort of that likes the convienence too :)

 

[Henders]

Yeah you can't always tell from looking if it's working or not, though sometimes you can't miss it, see below (I think I need a bigger flask)...
I find the easiest way to tell is from a sniff test, you can usually smell the fermentation.

Aha I forgot that I could just sniff, like in my freezer chamber except probably less burning sensation!

With mine at the weekend I just stopped the stir plate after 12 or 18 hours and waited a bit. First time I noticed a nice bit at the bottom settle out, next time it was taking ages and I decided it was done. Then I just noticed why i shouldn't leave my grain bag out. Cat has had a go at it!

 

[Oneflewover]

Proper chuffed with that!

 

[matt76]

Anyone else found the fan to be particularly noisy?

My stir plate is working ok, but the fan makes quite a high pitched whine. I think it's just the particular make/model of fan I bought so considering replacing it, or are they all like that? aunsure....

 

[Drunkula]

or are they all like that?

Nope - I've got three and they're all silent. You might have knackered bearings.

 

[matt76]

Nope - I've got three and they're all silent. You might have knackered bearings.

On a brand new fan? Purchased recently? The very cheapest I could find on eBay? Surely not!

 

[Baffled]

Seems there was an abundance of chocolate around this xmas

 

[Baffled]

Anyone else found the fan to be particularly noisy?

My stir plate is working ok, but the fan makes quite a high pitched whine. I think it's just the particular make/model of fan I bought so considering replacing it, or are they all like that? aunsure....

You might just be unlucky, got my fan for less than a quid from ebay, doesn't make a sound.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Double stir plate awesomeness.
Thanks for the guide

 

[BarnBrian]

Double stir plate awesomeness.
Thanks for the guide

I like the ally case. Just found this one on Amazon for £16 with BBQ tools, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JMIUXH6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Yeah that’s the one. The case was surplus and works well. Sturdy enough to hold two 5l flasks.
I had to strip out the inside padding to get the magnet close enough to the stir bar to atop it flying off at the speeds needed for larger liquid volumes.

 

[matt76]

Anyone else found the fan to be particularly noisy?

My stir plate is working ok, but the fan makes quite a high pitched whine. I think it's just the particular make/model of fan I bought so considering replacing it, or are they all like that? aunsure....

Update on this - bought a new fan, different make and model.....

Silent running/stealth mode now engaged

With the added bonus I can also now wang it up to warp speed without the stir bar flinging off into a wormhole!

 

[brewhaha]

Any suggestions of a cheap source for 3 or 5 litre flasks?

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Any suggestions of a cheap source for 3 or 5 litre flasks?

https://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/glass-conical-flask-5000ml-be

 

[matt76]

I wonder if it's started fermenting yet?

I mean, flippin' 'eck, i only pitched it at lunchtime today!

(It was a vial of about 40ml of Wyeast 3944 yeast/trub slurry harvested from my last Witbier - known for being rather lively!)