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Advice on cheap homogenizer purchase
Hello to all, I am new and planning to create a small line of cosmetic creams and lotions in Central America where I live. I am on a limited budget but really want to buy a sub-$1000 homogenizer to maximise quality and stability from the beginning.
I have search this forum and elsewhere extensively but because of my limited budget I am still unsure as I am very worried about incorporating air and don’t really want to do any special modifications to the head if possible.
I was looking at the Cat x120 handheld
http://www.catscientific.com/homogenizer-drives/x120-handheld-homogenizer-drive/with (V) T17 shaft (for viscosity 1-15,000 cps) with variable speed control for up to 1000ml batches (for creams and lotions).
http://www.catscientific.com/homogenizer-drives/application-table/
Can I avoid air bubbles if I use a lower rpm and keep head submerged and/or maybe homogenise after emulsion is formed??? I just don’t know but really do want a homogenizer.
Any advice on this air bubble issue (or any other thoughts) is very very much appreciated thank you!
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16 Replies
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Air bubbles aren’t really a problem unless you make it so, with unsuitable emulsion designs. You can easily enough make a 3Kg batch with the right type of stick blender. Hot process means the emulsion is thin enough for bubbles to rise and dissipate prior to pouring. An overhead mixer of some kind is a great idea because often, you need to continue mixing during the cool-down phase. Look for a high speed blender with the blade tips close to the housing. I can’t open your links so unable to comment on that.
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thanks! this is the one I was looking at for just over $900
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One of each would be a much better use of ~$900:
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^^^ Absolutely. What Bob suggested.
That dinky one you looked at is only good for lab scale. -
With judicious formulation it will be very rarely that you need a homogenizer.
Many (most?) cosmetic emulsions are manufactured with a propeller mixer.
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That’s right Johnb, if you want to scale your batch,
in the industry rotor/stator mixer are not commune as they are voracious
and expensive consumer of energy. So better to tune process/
surfactant system, to emulsify with propeller mixer -
Remember the adage (in regard to your “cheap” requirement):
Buy cheap - buy twice.
Buy well - buy once.
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wow thank you all so much for your time in helping me - so very much appreciated.
I had been looking at the high shear mixer that Bobzchemist linked to, but like other people I have seen comment on the forum, I was very very wary of buying a cheap Chinese model. I have had bad experiences in the past and simply can’t afford to throw $500 in the trash bin after a few months.
However, assuming the mixer head part remains ok, does anyone think I could get the motor fixed fairly easily if it went wrong. In the country where I now live, there are numerous small ‘outfits’ that tinker and fix things as people are unable or unwilling to just throw away and buy new (unlike in the UK where I am from originally).
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how about this one:
https://www.amazon.com/CAFRAMO-BDC250U1-Overhead-Stirrer-100/dp/B00BQLJZPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1485869444&sr=8-1&keywords=Caframo+BDC250U1is it a good option?
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maybe model this is better with max torque 100 N cm rather than 10 N cm How much torque do I need for a cream batch up to 1000ml only?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UW583W0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1GJ9URVN5UPZI
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the more i look the more confused I get as to which ones include stand and shafts in the price or not. Max torque etc etc…
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The Scilogex OS20-S LED Digital Overhead Stirrer Specifications:
Maximum stirring capacity : 20 Liters Maximum torque : 40Ncm Viscosity maximum : 10000mPas this looks like good value at $589 on amazon with blade and stand- is this enough power for mixing up to 1000ml of creams and lotions. I am thinking that a standard light face cream would not be as much as 10,000 cps
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Most cosmetic creams acquire their full viscosity and body only after cooling to room temperature. Stirring is frequently stopped at about 40degC. whilst the cream is still sufficiently fluid to allow it to be poured into containers.
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thanks so just to get some sort of reference point and idea, would this be powerful enough for small batches to 1000ml to start with. Clearly I would like to have more power if I had a bigger budget. I hope to expand my budget if things go well.
The Scilogex OS20-S LED Digital Overhead Stirrer Specifications:Maximum stirring capacity : 20 Liters Maximum torque : 40Ncm Viscosity maximum : 10000mPas -
You need to consider the design and size of the paddle/stirrer head.
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If you need large scale homoginizer i am use one which can work in 500 kg batch it’s with control in speed rpm and also control in its high in tank if u need one i can tell you just u need budget about 2000 $
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