Stirplate Question

[TCC]

I have DIY stirplate. I am trying to figure out how to place the magnet. I am using magnets from a hard drive.

Should I use one magnet or two? If two, do I need to put a South and a North end up or the same pole up?

[BigNastyBrew]

I ordered magnets from a place online at the suggestion of BDawg. I put one S and one N up.

[BayouBrew]

I also use hard drive magnets, and I only use one. It's stirring a four liter starter right now in fact. I did have to put a spacer in between the magnet and fan though to keep the magnet from interfering with the fan motor.

[TCC]

Sounds as if both ways work.

BigNasty, where did you order your magnets?

[siwelwerd]

Just use the one hard drive magnet in the middle. That will be plenty strong enough. You'll likely need a washer or two between it and the fan as a spacer, as those magnets are pretty strong.

[TCC]

I put one magnet on the center of the fan (I'm using a PC fan). I can get the stirbar spinning OK on low speed (small vortex). When I turn up the fan it throws the stirbar. How can I fix that?

[BigNastyBrew]

I put one magnet on the center of the fan (I'm using a PC fan). I can get the stirbar spinning OK on low speed (small vortex). When I turn up the fan it throws the stirbar. How can I fix that?

While some may never experience throwing the bar, it is actually quite the norm. Even in lab equipment, they throw the bars. If it's stirring, you're good. I only turn mine up about 3/4 way. That's PLENTY!

[Nyakavt]

I put one magnet on the center of the fan (I'm using a PC fan). I can get the stirbar spinning OK on low speed (small vortex). When I turn up the fan it throws the stirbar. How can I fix that?

I had the same problem when using a longer stir bar. At first I had one magnet on the inner hub of the fan and it would spin the 1/2" bar and 1" bar sometimes, but the 1.5 " bar would always get thrown. I added a second magnet opposite the first and it's a ton more stable, can even work on concave bottoms like growlers.