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Author Topic: Extra magnet for stirplate  (Read 2312 times)

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Extra magnet for stirplate
« on: January 19, 2011, 03:08:17 pm »
The stirplate I just bought didn't come with an extra magnet for holding the stir bar in place when I pitch the yeast (I didn't expect an extra magnet to be included). So, where can I buy a cheap magnet?  Radioshack?  What kind of magnet should I get?
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2011, 03:12:55 pm »
Harbour Freight sells some strong magnets.
Look for Rare Earth Magnets.
Something like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-rare-earth-magnets-67488.html

These particular magnets are pretty small but they have also larger once.
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Offline mabrungard

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2011, 03:14:29 pm »
You don't really need a magnet to hold the stir bar.  Just a piece of iron should work...nail, bolt, etc.  It won't be as strong an attraction as another magnet, but I'm assuming your not turning the flask upside down and shaking it. ;)
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Offline dano14041

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2011, 03:15:27 pm »
I just purchased several from Home Depot. The stick on strips and some larger sized magnets. They had various sizes and styles. They were in the section with all the nuts, bolts and other connectors, but I had to ask where they were. I guess my eyes just weren't attracted to them.  ;D

IIRC, the prices ran from $2 - $6.
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Offline yugamrap

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2011, 03:25:39 pm »
Instead of buying a magnet, just buy an extra stir bar.  It'll do double-duty - for the purpose you discuss here, and as a spare in case you lose one.
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Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2011, 03:41:47 pm »
Instead of buying a magnet, just buy an extra stir bar.  It'll do double-duty - for the purpose you discuss here, and as a spare in case you lose one.

True. Maybe I'll just do that!
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Offline a10t2

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2011, 04:02:00 pm »
If you do have Harbor Freight in your neck of the woods, that's where I picked up a little magnet with a keychain-type split ring already attached. I bet most any hardware store would have them, but at HF they're about $1. Pretty much tailor-made for the purpose.
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Offline tubercle

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2011, 06:24:30 pm »
Instead of buying a magnet, just buy an extra stir bar.  It'll do double-duty - for the purpose you discuss here, and as a spare in case you lose one.

True. Maybe I'll just do that!

 Get several.

My money says if you only have one stir bar, it will end up in the beer despite everything you do to prevent it..

Having several keeps this from happening. Just like having one hydrometer. You will break it in a week. By 2 and you can use the same one for years and years.
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Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Extra magnet for stirplate
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2011, 06:27:01 pm »
Just like having one hydrometer. You will break it in a week. By 2 and you can use the same one for years and years.

That's why I shelled out for a Nalgene lab hydrometer a few years ago!   ;D

I'm planning picking up a few extra stir bars at my LHBS next time I'm over there.
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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