[tschmidlin]

You can also use a barbell stir bar, it will work better on a curved bottom bottle if the magnet isn't strong enough to hold a straight stir bar.

[greyghost]

I would like to know where I can get a flat bottom Erlenmeyer flask. Not the cheap ones that have a domed bottom like the ones Morebeer& NorthernBrewer sell. I have a hard time getting the stir bar to work with my stir starter.  It works great with the flat bottom open flasks I have. But they are to small for starters.But they work good for re hydrating dry yeast.

[davidgzach]

I would like to know where I can get a flat bottom Erlenmeyer flask. Not the cheap ones that have a domed bottom like the ones Morebeer& NorthernBrewer sell. I have a hard time getting the stir bar to work with my stir starter.  It works great with the flat bottom open flasks I have. But they are to small for starters.But they work good for re hydrating dry yeast.

I had 2-5000ml erlenmeyers from Midwest that basically broke in my hands with hot water in them.  I then asked my LHBS-Keystone Homebrew if they could get me a Pyrex flask.  It took a few weeks but he located a Bomex (same thing) 5000ml that has a flat bottom and I can use on my electric stove.  Man, it made making starters a breeze now that I can boil and place directly in an ice bath with no worries.  It was expensive ($80) but so worth it.  Have a good look around the web.

Dave

[roguejim]

So, is there a preferred brand of erlenmeyer flask?  I see quite a few negative reviews for the ones sold at N. Brewer.

[tschmidlin]

So, is there a preferred brand of erlenmeyer flask?  I see quite a few negative reviews for the ones sold at N. Brewer.

Pyrex or Kimax for me.  i would trust either one.

[DaveR]

So, is there a preferred brand of erlenmeyer flask?  I see quite a few negative reviews for the ones sold at N. Brewer.

Pyrex or Kimax for me.  i would trust either one.

Kimax has a wide mouth 2 liter. That's my favorite for making starters. Wide mouth is easier to use, I find. Pyrex may make a wide mouth, too. I don't know.

http://cynmar.com/ProductDetail/11533083_Kimax-Heavy-Duty-Wide-Mouth-Flask-2000ml

[roguejim]

You can also use a barbell stir bar, it will work better on a curved bottom bottle if the magnet isn't strong enough to hold a straight stir bar.

Tom, where do you find barbell stir bars?

[a10t2]

Tom, where do you find barbell stir bars?

Any of the big lab supply places will have them.

http://www.coleparmer.com/Product/Scienceware_small_sup_reg_sup_small_CIRCULUS_TM_STIRRING_BAR_PTFE_32MM_WHITE/EW-04775-46

[tschmidlin]

You can also use a barbell stir bar, it will work better on a curved bottom bottle if the magnet isn't strong enough to hold a straight stir bar.

Tom, where do you find barbell stir bars?

One of my clubs did a buy from stirbars.com

[roguejim]

I've seen some stir bars with a center ring.  Would that style work in a jar with a slightly concave bottom?  2 inch length?

[tschmidlin]

I've seen some stir bars with a center ring.  Would that style work in a jar with a slightly concave bottom?  2 inch length?

It works ok, throws less often than a straight bar with flat edges, but more often than a barbell in my experience.

[roguejim]

Sounds like I'd better just go with a flat bottom vessel.

[dzlater]

I bought my 2000ml flask here:
https://bellsbeer.com/store/categories/Homebrewing-Supplies/Brewing-Equipment-%26-Supplies/Yeast-Starter-Equipment/
It's a nice flask, and about the best price I could find.
They also have stirplates, but I am not sure how the prices compare as I made mine.

[tschmidlin]

Sounds like I'd better just go with a flat bottom vessel.

If you have the $$ sure, they are nice for boiling/chilling/making your starters.  If you're not going to take advantage of these features though, I wouldn't bother spending the money.  You can get by fine with a glass jug, no problem.  Just boil/chill the starter wort in something else.

[roguejim]

I bought my 2000ml flask here:
https://bellsbeer.com/store/categories/Homebrewing-Supplies/Brewing-Equipment-%26-Supplies/Yeast-Starter-Equipment/
It's a nice flask, and about the best price I could find.
They also have stirplates, but I am not sure how the prices compare as I made mine.

Thanks for the link.  But, would a 2 liter flask be large enough for a 2 liter starter, i.e., enough head space?