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Devices for home use, any suggestions?
As I only have experience with top notch professional devices, I don’t know where to look for equipment that’s suitable for homecrafting that is both reliable and affordable. I hope I can get some suggestions for mentioned below that you know has a reasonable quality.
- I need another scale that’s precise at 0,01 grams at least (max €400 ( = $470);
- and a refillable pH meter that’s suitable for semi-solids (max €600 (= $700).
- I’m also looking for a magnetic stirrer that can also heat.Thank you!
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9 Replies
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For scales I suggest something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pocket-Digital-Scale-200g-x-0-01g-Jewelry-Gold-Silver-Grain-Herb-Balance-Weight-/151850414708?epid=1261120915&hash=item235afd7274:g:4wwAAOSwA4dWIFFk
Really cheap and precise if you are doing small batches. There are bigger ones.
For the magnetic stirrer I’d suggest to buy used equipment, and for the pH meter a new one. About $100-200
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I think you will find that a magnetic stirrer will not be useful for anything except the very lowest viscosity. As you approach lotions and especially creams, it will simply not have enough power.
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With that budget you can get good equipments
For balances check out Kern
For ph-meter (as Bobzchemist said), check out hama
While for stirrer, get a hotplate and an Overhead Stirrer -
@Microformulation
The stirrer is only for dissolving ingredients (for high shear forces I use a stick blender, low shear a planetary mixer or hand mixer with beater attachment).@DAS , @Bobzchemist , @em88
Thank you for the suggestions!! -
One day you will get an overhead mixer and you will never look back.
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@Microformulation
You’re right. I should invest in better mixer(s), it’s time consuming to do all high shear by hand with a stick blender. Which one would you recommend for home use? -
For me, the Gold standard is either IKA (https://www.ika.com/laboratory-equipment/products/overhead-stirrers/products/) or Caframo (https://www.caframolabsolutions.com/product/overhead-stirrers/). Now being realistic I know that these may be initially out of reach for a growing company. In that case I would set-up an EBay alert to let inform you when appropriate equipment has been listed.
Now, the mixer is only part of the issue as most people can tell you. The blades (the detachable mixing attachments) have different uses for different applications. Again I would look for these used or look at a company like Indco (https://www.indco.com/) for these blades.
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@Microformulation
Thanks for the tips/suggestions!
I had already been browsing on IKA’s website, at work we have an Ultra Turrax which is awesome, but indeed, quite out of my (budget’s) league right now. I have already given a hint, if there are intentions to sell it (which wouldn’t be surprising as the non sterile productions are getting less) that I’m quite interested in buying it plus its attachments (maybe with reduction even).
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