Ok so I'm wanting to get a hotplate stirrer on the cheap. Iv been thinking something along the lines of a pc fan mounted in a wooden housing with perspex over it to provide the stirring and then buying a really cheap 1 or 2litre maybe bigger simple chip pan deep fat fryer.

Has anyone done something similar? With the fryer on top of the stirrer. The thing I'm bothered about is if the stirrer is going to still be able to adequately stir the solution whist heated.

Just would like to know if any one uses similar and any advice they may have.

I can post pics if it makes a big difference.

The gap between the perspex and the base of the heating element inside the small fryer is only about 5 or so centimetres at the most.

I suppose small scale reactions can be ran incase the stirrer power is impeded by the distance. But iv got a pretty god damn strong magnet for use in a homemade mag stir I got a while back purposefully but never had chance to use.


Any info or suggestions to cheap reliable homemade appreciated. I know there are lots of threads but this is sort of specific.

Computer fans are not the right way, they are too weak. Use a (geared) DC motor, speed control is easy, many controllers are available. Note the magnet has to be strong and also with a high Curie point. So no neodymium. Commercial stirrers use AlNiCo magnets, they can stand high temperatures.