doofuss outsmarted by stirplate
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:16 am
About 10 batches ago I purchased a homemade stir plate on the internet for $ 45.00 including shipping, works great and will never make a starter without it. However I had a few challenges being the short bus rider that I am.
The first time, I made my starter, placed the Erlenmeyer flask on the plate, moved it back a forth, side to side a few times to center the stir bar and then slowly ramp up the speed. Nothing happens. I repeat this step a few more times to the same effect. I put my ear to the stir plate box and can hear it running. However, I did notice that the speed knob ended up in the wrong position though. So I flip the stir plate over and a big piece of tape across the surface reads “TOP†is staring me in the face…. Doh.
MOFO was upside down. I flip the box over, repeat all steps mentioned before and all works well.
Second time, making sure I have the top is actually on top I go through all the same procedures, but the bar keeps getting thrown. So I repeat 5-6 more times using a slower ramp up speeds, still no good.I even peer under the Erlenmeyer to make sure the bar is centered. This goes on for about an hour.
Finally I decide to go in and unscrew the top. After doing this I noticed one of the two magnets on the blade was missing. I find it adhered to the chassis and Crazy Glued it pack in place. Worked like a charm, only took 15 seconds to get going once I screwed the top back on.
One error is a total brain fart and the other was just bad luck, hopefully this lesson can help a fellow brewer out in the future.
Cheers.
The first time, I made my starter, placed the Erlenmeyer flask on the plate, moved it back a forth, side to side a few times to center the stir bar and then slowly ramp up the speed. Nothing happens. I repeat this step a few more times to the same effect. I put my ear to the stir plate box and can hear it running. However, I did notice that the speed knob ended up in the wrong position though. So I flip the stir plate over and a big piece of tape across the surface reads “TOP†is staring me in the face…. Doh.
MOFO was upside down. I flip the box over, repeat all steps mentioned before and all works well.Second time, making sure I have the top is actually on top I go through all the same procedures, but the bar keeps getting thrown. So I repeat 5-6 more times using a slower ramp up speeds, still no good.I even peer under the Erlenmeyer to make sure the bar is centered. This goes on for about an hour.
Finally I decide to go in and unscrew the top. After doing this I noticed one of the two magnets on the blade was missing. I find it adhered to the chassis and Crazy Glued it pack in place. Worked like a charm, only took 15 seconds to get going once I screwed the top back on.
One error is a total brain fart and the other was just bad luck, hopefully this lesson can help a fellow brewer out in the future.
Cheers.