Stirring rod for mixing powders?

[Bormental]

I've been primarily using liquid chemicals, only occasionally getting a bag or two of D76. But recently, for variety of reasons, I found myself with 100% powder-based set, including the fixer. Mixing 5L is not easy if you're stirring it with your thermometer (I use a Paterson's 12" glass), it just takes a lot of time and mixing instructions usually require you to stir slower to avoid excessive injection of air into the solution.

Something like a spoon on a long handle would have been MUCH easier, but I worry about non-glass objects causing side-reactions. I am not a chemist, obviously. Should I relax and use a stainless-steel spoon? How about a polished-wood rod? It will probably absorb whatever I'm mixing... What do you use?

 

[Vaughn]

SS or wood works fine, but spend the big bucks...

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/5131-Arista-Stirring-Paddle-Set-of-2

BUT...actually look into magnetic stirrers -- you might find some used from lab equipment resellers and there are some inexpensive Chinese ones...but 5 liters is a substantial amount. Used Corning mixers are worth the cost.

here is an example...no connection to company, never dealt with them, from a google search only https://www.labrepco.com/product/ms...MIosyi7_-b6QIVHx-tBh3n-gwTEAQYBCABEgId7PD_BwE

I have mixed hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of fix, Dektol, and D-76, stirring by hand. Finally getting a Corning magnetic mixer for the university was a godsend. The ones that also heat are not generally needed, but if you got the bucks...

 

[tokam]

I mix gallon quantities in a bucket, (suitable pre-calibrated with Sharpie marks), using a plastic paint stirrer from the hardware store. The paint paddles are about 15 inches long and about 2 inches wide and cost peanuts.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Plastic stir paddles are fine.

 

[Vaughn]

I mix gallon quantities in a bucket, (suitable pre-calibrated with Sharpie marks), using a plastic paint stirrer from the hardware store. The paint paddles are about 15 inches long and about 2 inches wide and cost peanuts.

You might even hook up a variable speed hand drill to a paint stirrer -- or any variation on that...one just needs to avoid adding too much air into the mix -- especially for the developers.

 

[Bormental]

Perfect! I'll use a plastic paddle. Also, today I learned about magnetic stirrers...

 

[Anon Ymous]

One more thing that makes dissolving powders easier, apart from using warm water which I assume you use, is slow addition rate. Dumping whole packets of powders in water can cause clumping and these clumps can be hard to dissolve.

 

[guangong]

I have used glass stirring rods for decades because I have them, but plastic stirring paddles made for use with chemicals should be excellent choice. I would not use my expensive thermometer!

 

[markbau]

I've used the Patterson stirrer for many years, never had a problem.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40303-REG/Paterson_PTP245_Chemical_Stirrer.html

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a very old Kodak stirring paddle I use on a cordless drill when mixing gallon sizes, for quart sizes I have a glass stirring rod.

 

[MattKing]

One more thing that makes dissolving powders easier, apart from using warm water which I assume you use, is slow addition rate. Dumping whole packets of powders in water can cause clumping and these clumps can be hard to dissolve.

And one further tip when the powder comes in a plastic pouch - rinse the pouch out with the mixed water and chemical.
The other tip requires skill - submerge the opening of the pouch into the water and pour out the powder under water. No dust!

 

[beemermark]

I grab one of the wife's long handle stirrers from the kitchen to mix chemicals. Plastic. People worry too much.

 

[John Bragg]

For years I used a long plastic home wine making spoon.

 

[removed account4]

I use the same long handled olde wooden spoon as I have for IDK 40 years. It's weathered, withered, probably needs to be exchanged for a new one, but its an old friend.