[denny]

How does that mixstir get the O2 in the wort?
Unless you have to splash a lot.
And do you have trouble with the foam up?

It pulls surrounding O2 into the wort.  And foam up is not a problem.  I run it until the fermenter is full of foam.

[bluesman]

I also use the mixstir for aerating the wort. It's fast and easy to use. I've also used pure O2 from a sintered stone, but have switched back to the mixstir. Both methods work well.

[theDarkSide]

Is the Mixstir powerful enough to get a whirlpool going in the kettle ( 10 gal ) or would a paint stirrer be more appropriate for this?

[denny]

Is the Mixstir powerful enough to get a whirlpool going in the kettle ( 10 gal ) or would a paint stirrer be more appropriate for this?

Either would work well.

[dzlater]

I pour wort through funnel into Better Bottle, put a tennis ball under the center indent in the BB and swirl it.
like this http://www.better-bottle.com/products_master.html

I have been pondering this for a while the Mix-Stir, are sold as wine "de-gassers" so if it it's degassing wine how is getting oxygen (which is a gas) into the wort?

[hopfenundmalz]

I pour wort through funnel into Better Bottle, put a tennis ball under the center indent in the BB and swirl it.
like this http://www.better-bottle.com/products_master.html

I have been pondering this for a while the Mix-Stir, are sold as wine "de-gassers" so if it it's degassing wine how is getting oxygen (which is a gas) into the wort?

Mix-stirs are also used on mead for the same reason.  You get a large amount of foam after a day of fermentation when you de-gas.  You also get a whirlpoo/splashing action that helps get the O2 from the air mixed in.  This is a "direct acting stir plate",  same gas exchange happens as in the flasks on a stir plate.  But faster.

[maxieboy]

Is the Mixstir powerful enough to get a whirlpool going in the kettle ( 10 gal ) or would a paint stirrer be more appropriate for this?

The plastic blades don't stand up to the hot wort, they'll soften and wrap right around the shaft. Ask me how I know...
 I did make some replacement blades from stainless steel but never used them. I built a hop strainer that's so effective that I don't need to whirlpool.

[maxieboy]

I also use the mixstir for aerating the wort. It's fast and easy to use. I've also used pure O2 from a sintered stone, but have switched back to the mixstir. Both methods work well.

I used O2 with a stone for a while but my finished beers seemed to have a "washed out" character. Maybe I over oxygenated. Went to the mix stir and haven't looked back. O2 in the air is free. Pragmatism wins again. 

[Thirsty_Monk]

O2 in the air is free. Pragmatism wins again. 

I am the the same opinion.
I use venturi tube to aerate my wort.



http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/mazzei.php

[bo]

O2 in the air is free. Pragmatism wins again. 

I am the the same opinion.
I use venturi tube to aerate my wort.



http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/mazzei.php

I agree. I have O2 around and I never use it. I pump wort into the fermenter and I squeeze my tube to create turbulence. 

[punatic]

Be careful Bo!  You could go blind doing that.

[bo]

Be careful Bo!  You could go blind doing that.

Maybe, but it's so fun gettin' there.

[Gribble]

On my bigger beers I'll use my inline oxygenator (a T with a stone held in by compression fitting) as I pump to the conical but for smaller beers I usually close the outlet valve to create turbulence.

[phillamb168]

O2 in the air is free. Pragmatism wins again. 

I am the the same opinion.
I use venturi tube to aerate my wort.



http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/mazzei.php

:-O

so cool. Thanks for the link TM.

[narcout]

I've had really good results with the stainless wand and stone I got from Williams Brewing and the red disposable oxygen cannisters from Home Depot.

It sounds like mix-stirs do the job as well, but there's a lot of pet hair floating around my house.