How Many Have Pitched Stir Bar Or Lost Down Sink?

[Lecterfan]

I am now a proud member of this club. I have taped a little note onto the fermenter so I don't forget about it when racking.

First time the new stir plate got a run, very happy. Starter smelled fine. I didn't "sterilise" the stir bar but it got some serious chemical cleaning and subsequent sanitising, the yeast (wy1318) was super active and if anything I slightly over pitched so I'm not too concerned.

When tipping from erlenmeyer flask, how does one NOT pitch the stir bar? Pitch through a sieve I suppose.... Lesson learned.
:icon_chickcheers:

 

[MHB]

There is a manufactured Stirbar Retriever they look like this (well lots of variations).
You can make one easily enough just by siliconing a magnet into the end of a bit of plastic tube (a bottling tube would be fine)
MHB

 

[Screwtop]

just found 3 of mine that have been lost since moving house three years ago :lol: In my intray just beside where I sit in the study, first place I should have looked really, stupidly spent time looking through my brewing kit :huh:

Screwy

 

[TidalPete]

When tipping from erlenmeyer flask, how does one NOT pitch the stir bar? Pitch through a sieve I suppose.... Lesson learned.

Got these from Jaycar years ago. Best $5 I ever spent.

Slides the stir bar up the side & out of fermenter.
When held under the erlenmeyer holds the stir bar on the bottom whilst pitching yeast or up the side for extraction.
Lots of other uses around the brewery.

TP

 

[Josh]

When tipping from erlenmeyer flask, how does one NOT pitch the stir bar? Pitch through a sieve I suppose.... Lesson learned.
:icon_chickcheers:

Get a spare rare earth magnet and hold it against the side of the flask while you're pitching. Then leave the stir bar in the flask for cleaning and use the magnet again when rinsing and draining your flask.

My current stir bar hasn't seen the outside of a flask in ages.

 

[Lecterfan]

Thanks guys - magnet on the outside of the flask does seem a great option! :icon_cheers:

 

[stux]

Do you use an erlenmeyer flask though, I reckon it would be pretty damned hard not to tip it in with a flask.

I'm surprised that I've managed to remember so far, its not like me to remember things....

Yes I use erlenmeyer flasks. Much easier not to tip than with a normal straight sided glass

 

[stux]

I am now a proud member of this club. I have taped a little note onto the fermenter so I don't forget about it when racking.

First time the new stir plate got a run, very happy. Starter smelled fine. I didn't "sterilise" the stir bar but it got some serious chemical cleaning and subsequent sanitising, the yeast (wy1318) was super active and if anything I slightly over pitched so I'm not too concerned.

When tipping from erlenmeyer flask, how does one NOT pitch the stir bar? Pitch through a sieve I suppose.... Lesson learned.
:icon_chickcheers:

Just swirl up the yeast, and then gently pour. If you have the angle right the liquid will pour but the stir bar will stay behind. It's really not that hard :-/