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Author Topic: Mix-stirs vs O2  (Read 1907 times)

Offline Kirk

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Mix-stirs vs O2
« on: March 16, 2011, 08:32:51 am »
I've read many favorable comments about mix stirs for wort aeration.  I'm going to run out of spare oxygen bottles pretty soon, so I'd like to know your preferences.  Do you prefer mix-stirs over oxygen?  In all instances?  Do they fit in carboys?  Do you buy them from Home Depot or a supplier like MoreBeer?
Kirk Howell

Offline Kirk

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2011, 08:43:29 am »
OK, should have looked first.  I already answered one question of where to find them.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/mix-stir-plastic-24.html
Is this what you would use? or something simpler?
Kirk Howell

Offline bluesman

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2011, 08:52:17 am »
I've used both and prefer the mix-stir because it's cheaper and easier...but more importantly, my results between the methods are indiscernible.

I use a rod very similiar to the one shown in the link.
Ron Price

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2011, 09:22:54 am »
I just bought the spare paddles for the Mix-Stir & mounted them with a stainless steel bolt & nut on a ~20" long piece of 3/8" stainless steel rod. I use it primarily for aerating must (mead) since my technique for moving the wort from the kettle to the fermenter aerates the crap out of it.  Here's a link for the paddles. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/replacement-blades-for-stainless-steel-mix-stir.html  It really works well with the must. Cheers!!!
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline Kirk

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2011, 09:28:32 am »
Thanks guys.  I think I might go for it.  It looks a lot easier than diffusing O2 all around.
Kirk Howell

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2011, 09:50:55 am »
I have both, and use the O2 in beers.  I don't really have a good reason why though, it's just what I do.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2011, 09:54:01 am »
The mixstirs work very well and can get you to 8 ppm disolved O2, and I have one.  Some yeasts like more O2, lager yeast for example, and  for those I use 1 liter/min O2 for a minute to get to 10 ppm disolved O2.  If you search the achives here, Gordon has said that he uses the mixstrir for most ales, and O2 for big beers.
Jeff Rankert
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BJCP National
Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Home-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!

Offline Kirk

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Re: Mix-stirs vs O2
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2011, 10:42:05 am »
Thanks Jeff.  Good stuff.
Kirk Howell