This is the neatest IKEA gadget. (chem mixing)

[ericantonio]

I remember one time, maybe in the beginning days of apug or maybe here, long time ago, someone mentioned not to use one of those industrial mixers for mixing chemistry. Something about oxidation (adding too much o2 into the mixing). Who knows, I'm not a chemist. I did used to mix the big old 5 gal containers of chemicals one time at a lab and I remember using an immersion blender.

Here's a tiny one I got from Ikea. Costs me like $1.99. I use it for my MCT oil in coffee. Now I need to get a few more for chemistry.

[John Kasaian]

I remember one time, maybe in the beginning days of apug or maybe here, long time ago, someone mentioned not to use one of those industrial mixers for mixing chemistry. Something about oxidation (adding too much o2 into the mixing). Who knows, I'm not a chemist. I did used to mix the big old 5 gal containers of chemicals one time at a lab and I remember using an immersion blender.

Here's a tiny one I got from Ikea. Costs me like $1.99. I use it for my MCT oil in coffee. Now I need to get a few more for chemistry.

I work the snack bar at our local High School pool deck during H2O polo and swim meets. We've got one of these for stirring hot instant cocoa. Works good!

[xkaes]

Good idea. I've seen many similar "egg beater" thingies at thrift stores for even less.

Years ago, I found a Corning Stirrer PC-353 at the "junk room" at the University I worked at. It was FREE (as was everything) to faculty and staff -- left-overs from completed projects and programs. It is a 5x5x5" ceramic-topped "box" that has an adjustable, rotaing magnet inside using 110AC. You place any vial on top, with your liquid and solid, and drop in a glass-encased magnet into the vial. Turn on the Stirrer to the speed you want, and it does all the work for you -- creating a mini-tornado. You can attend to other issues, such as loading the film into a tank, etc. I lacked the glass-encased magnet, but I found one for a couple of bucks from Edmund Scientific. They come in different sizes, etc.

I can't tell you how much easier this makes my darkroom experience. You can buy them (or similar models) new, of course, but I suspect you can find them for next to nothing on EBAY -- NOT just in the photography section, but the LAB INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL section. If you use a lot of dry chemicals, you will thank yourself.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?ul_n...pc-353&_sop=15

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

The purpose of the Ikea gadget is to froth milk, which means mixing air with liquids. This increases the likelihood of oxidation, and is not what you want for chemical mixing. The stirrers like Xkaes mentions are far better for this purpose.

[ericantonio]

The purpose of the Ikea gadget is to froth milk, which means mixing air with liquids. This increases the likelihood of oxidation, and is not what you want for chemical mixing. The stirrers like Xkaes mentions are far better for this purpose.

Just made and used 1L of d76h. I don't see a difference.

[Willie]

Costs me like $1.99.

What is "like" $1,99? More, or less?

[xkaes]

Costs me like $1.99.

What is "like" $1,99? More, or less?

I guess ND has a shortage of thrift stores. All around Denver, thrift stores sell USED household gadgets like these for 0.25 or .49 cents each. Sure they are used, but most are in perfect condition. That's where most of my ladles, spatulas, scrapers, etc. come from -- no, I do not use them in my darkroom. Bread and cake pans go for about $1 if they are in great shape. Pots and pans $2.

Jus' sayin'.

Last week I got a Minolta Dimage A2 -- list price five years ago? Over $1,000. This one was in MINT condition -- with TWO battery packs, battery charger, computer cables, TWO owners manual, TWO software CD's, lens hood, LowePro camera case and more. $10. I'm keeping it. Everything works perfectly.

I also picked up a Sinar Six Gossen focal plane 4x5 meter for $5. Works perfectly. Sold it on EBAY for $255. No joke, you can check it out yourself.

A fool and his money.....

[j.e.simmons]

Costs me like $1.99.

What is "like" $1,99? More, or less?

It’s all like basically literally and stuff.

[Doremus Scudder]

Costs me like $1.99.

What is "like" $1,99? More, or less?

Just replace "like" with "about" (its accepted and common meaning in this context) and you'll have your answer.

Keep cool,

Doremus

[Willie]

North Dakota has some thrift stores and even pawn shops. Rummage sales are the big thing tho. You have never seen so many kids clothes for sale as at them.

Was just questioning "like" in the price. It is $1.99, or it isn't.