Thinking of getting a stir plate. Is there any reason to get a brewing stir plate over a lab plate?

[GarageBrÜr]

I really can't seem to discern why I would get one over the other, other than price. Lab plates I can get cheaper and to me, they are just doing the same thing. Am I missing something?

 

[webby45wr]

I don't know of any reason to go one way over the other. I haven't seen a lab plate be cheaper than a brewing one though. I have the StirStarter and have been very happy with it.

 

[wepeeler]

Cost would be the only difference, imo. Stir starter was $45, whereas I've seen lab plates in the hundreds...

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

I have the Stir Starter and it seems to work great and has a lifetime warranty

 

[Rodent]

any reason one would/should consider spending the extra $ for a heated stir plate vs the standard unheated type?

 

[webby45wr]

any reason one would/should consider spending the extra $ for a heated stir plate vs the standard unheated type?

I guess if the location you will be making your starter in doesn't maintain room temperature (70F). I wouldn't spend more for one with heat, as it's simple enough for me to let it sit on the kitchen counter.

 

[kh54s10]

I had an old computer, took the fan and magnets and built mine for $7.40. Nuts and bolts, felt pads and a potentiometer. Scrounged the rest. Cigar box, wire, wall brick transformer and polyurethane.

Agreed that heat is unnecessary unless you keep your house really cold.

 

[Rodent]

warm part of this old house in the winter is 60F at night, with the kitchen potentially dropping a couple degrees below that when the overnight temps drop below freezing outside

 

[kh54s10]

warm part of this old house in the winter is 60F at night, with the kitchen potentially dropping a couple degrees below that when the overnight temps drop below freezing outside

Next to the furnace? Turn up the heat. Or make a chamber to warm up.

 

[balrog]

I made a computer fan stirplate.
I had leftover Reflectrix from what I wrap around my BIAB kettle, and made a cylinder that I put around the stirplate and jug, lay a piece on top, plug in a 4w night light bulb inside that area, and use it in the basement all the time with starters.

 

[Murphys_Law]

Homemade here too. Very easy and cheap.

 

[DVCNick]

I agree this seems to be a case of marketing a common item to a specialized market and convincing that market the item is worth several times more than it really is.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K24X5P/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I'm sure that will get the job done for $100 less than a "brewers" stir plate.

 

[Rockn_M]

I made one for myself as well but if you would prefer to purchase one a basic stir plate that you can control the speed will work. You don't need an expensive item to get make a good stater.