Abstract: The present invention provides plate spinner systems and devices, and methods of using such systems and devices. In preferred embodiments, the systems and devices contain one or more of the following features: a manual power generating component (e.g. a hand crank power supply); a rotor assembly composed of a rotor with brackets for securing a sample holding device such as a sample processing device or a micro-titer plate; a rotor hub that supports nearly all of the weight of the rotor assembly; a manually operated brake; and a kettle cover containing a rotor tachometer.