My DIY Stir Plate for Home Brewing Beer

First thing I got was a free cigar box from the liquor store. Then I went up into the attic to get that old PC. I got a fan and a hard drive out of it. I broke one of the hard drive magnets trying to get it out, then I remembered that I had some really strong magnets stuck to the fridge. At first I just stuck the magnet to the fan, but the fan wouldn't start spinning on it's own because the magnet was so strong. I ended up putting a washer on top of the fan, then the magnet on top of the washer. It was hard to get the washer and magnet centered on the fan, but once I got them in the right place I used hot glue to hold them down. I have no idea what the dc adapter is from. It's 12.5v 180ma and it seems to be a good size for me. Then I went up to Radio Shack and got a rheostat and switch. The wiring wasn't exactly easy for me but I finally figured it out. I could have left the wires as they were in the box, but I decided to make it look nice and neat and I'm glad I did. I also used a piece of wood to raise the fan so the magnet is right under the lid.

Enough of that, here's the parts list.

Romeo Y Julieta cigar box: Free
DC adapter: Free
PC fan: Free
Washer: Free
Magnet: $19.99 http://www.amazon.com/Applied-Magnets-Neodymium-Strong-Earth/dp/B0012DNFS8/re...
Rheostat: $4.29 http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062299
Switch: $4.99 http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3125352
Stir bar: $4.05 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ACM0O6
Knob: $2.99 http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102832
I think thats it.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• homebrew
• home
• brew
• beer
• brewing
• stir
• plate
• yeast
• starter
• cigar
• box
• fan
• magnet
• bar
• drink
• diy
• do
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• yourself
• made
• howto
• how
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• tinkering
• Ron
• Paul
• 2012
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[AdamCanFly]

The knob is Radio Shack part number 274-424 and it's $2.99.

[AdamCanFly]

Oh that's a good point. I forgot about the knob. It was not included with the rheostat. Ill get the part number when I get home.

[gricka31]

aren't all cuban goods illegal in the states?

nice stirrer

[BreakfastBentoBox]

interesting.

[Starbrewer]

I purchased the same illuminated toggle switch, but wasn't exactly sure how to wire it to make the light work? Any tips or pointers? I can almost see where the wires are going from the video, but not exactly sure. Thanks -B

[emoneyblue]

I see the 25-Ohm 3-Watt Rheostat does it come with the controller knob?

[emoneyblue]

Home brewers ROCK! thanks for sharing... and a parts list too just ..... AWESOME!