Am in the market for a stir plate was going for the vortex but adventures in homebrewing sells one for half the price and appears to have better reviews I do 2L starters......any feedback would help
If you do 2L starters, you'll need a 5L flask... consider the foot print of that beast when selecting a plate.
Or build one yourself!
If you do 2L starters, you'll need a 5L flask... consider the foot print of that beast when selecting a plate.
Or build one yourself!
I make 2 liter starters in 2 liter flasks.
The flasks have some head space.
I just watch it while boiling.
The thing to look for is getting a good flask. There are many low quality ones out there. Thin and with bubbles. The one I got is thicker walled.
And measure the volume because they are not always accurate.
Boil in a pot, grow your starter in the flask! Too much chance of breaking your flask, as they aren't designed for that.
Actually, This is bad information. Erlenmeyer flasks ARE made for direct heat and actually made to withstand more heat than your stove could put out (Try 450c!). Its this one of the very reasons that people want Erlenmeyer flasks to begin with.
Actually, This is bad information. Erlenmeyer flasks ARE made for direct heat and actually made to withstand more heat than your stove could put out (Try 450c!). Its this one of the very reasons that people want Erlenmeyer flasks to begin with.
I would amend that to say SOME Erlenmeyer flasks are made for direct heat. Good lab grade ones. Some of the cheaper ones, definitely not. Ask me how I know...
I would amend that to say SOME Erlenmeyer flasks are made for direct heat. Good lab grade ones. Some of the cheaper ones, definitely not. Ask me how I know...
Then why are so many E flasks shattering when they are heated on the stove? I hear what you're saying, but why take the chance? It could be the cheap plain glass ones instead of the borosilicate glass, I guess. If you're gonna buy an E-flask, might as well pop for the real thing if you want to heat your wort in the flask.
Yep. I'm guessing the plain glass ones are not. The borosilicate, brand-name E-flasks probably are.
I hear what you are saying. But there are a lot of cheap imitations of everything out there. That's on the buyer to purchase quality products. Just like when buying anything "economy" and especially tools or scientific equipment, you get what you pay for. The Erlenmeyer flask is a dear and true piece of equipment that I use regularly outside of homebrewing and I feel obligated to defend it's purpose in design instead of feeding fear of structural failure into those who have made purchases of inferior quality products. Make sure you purchase AT LEAST student quality flasks.
Boil in a pot, grow your starter in the flask! Too much chance of breaking your flask, as they aren't designed for that.
Yep... if nothing else, just go for the brand name jobs. And make sure the description says "Borosilicate glass" not just "glass" Pyrex should be a trusty name. OTOH, I know a former roommate was trying to cook in a Pyrex casserole dish on the stove and it shattered, so not all Pyrex is "stovetop safe" either.
Yep... if nothing else, just go for the brand name jobs. And make sure the description says "Borosilicate glass" not just "glass" Pyrex should be a trusty name. OTOH, I know a former roommate was trying to cook in a Pyrex casserole dish on the stove and it shattered, so not all Pyrex is "stovetop safe" either.
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