All savvy brewers know that right behind sanitation and temperature control, pitching the right volume of yeast makes a big difference in the outcome of your beer. A stir plate (aka: magnetic stirrer) is the easiest option to increase yeast cell count by making a starter. There are plans on all of the major brewing forums on how to build your own stir plate or magnetic stirrer using a computer fan and strong magnet. There are many variations but of the two most common designs you'll come across are the rheostat-resistor and the IC voltage regulator. The rheostat-resistor is simple but not very consistent since it's susceptible to fluctuations in voltage. The stir bar is often thrown or it just won’t hold a consistent speed and stops a lot. The second one is based on an integrated circuit (IC) voltage regulator. It's a more complex circuit but gives much better performance. An IC voltage regulator monitors the output voltage, provides a feedback and adjusts output voltage accordingly.

Not only is my circuit designed around an adjustable voltage regulator, but it is also soldered to a custom made circuit board to provide years of reliable service. There is another design on the market that uses a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) driver. PWM really is the most efficient driver technology available, just not for this application. Rather than vary the amount of voltage to the motor, PWM varies the time the voltage is applied, offering a much more efficient power delivery technology. The problem? The modulation occurs at a frequency we can hear, usually about 400hz, creating an annoying whine or hum! If you're adjusting the brightness of a LED backlight on a phone or a motor for scooter or cart, it's no problem. but if you're talking about a hollow sound box in your kitchen that is somehow tuned to the "irritation frequency" of your significant other.... it's a problem.

The large 1 3/8" Square Profile stir bar is great at creating a lot of turbulance at a lower RPM.

So why buy one from me when you can make it? Because it's much easier! If you already have a fan, rare-Earth magnets, power supply, case, etc lying around then by all means give it a shot. Google LM317 and you’ll find circuits that will do what you need. If you don't want to track down all the extra components and tediously solder them together and test them only to wonder why they don’t work; then buy one of mine.

My Stir Plate Offers:

• Power On LED indicator (a cool blue one at that)
• Professionally manufactured circuit board.
• Includes a 1 3/8" X 1/4" Teflon coated Square Profile stir bar. Ideal for larger starters.
• Sturdy plastic case protects electronics from blow-offs and supports a 1 gallon starter with no problem.
• Compact design is only 6 1/2" square by 3 1/4" tall; easy to store.
• Holds up to a 2L flask. (Not included).
• Removable power supply for easier storage.
• 5 year warranty in the event your stir plate ever stops working.

International customers that can't use the included 110 volt power supply, click here for the same stir plate with no power supply.

Back Order until 2/14