Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: Controls for stirrers, hot plates and stirring hot plates provide respective user interfaces having a single control knob that is used to provide a plurality of setpoints. The control permits a user to pause a stirring operation of stirrers and stirring hot plates, unload a vessel, load a new vessel, and restart the stirring without having to re-enter a speed setpoint. Also, current operational parameters may be stored as preset setpoints. The control further permits a user to program a calibration temperature that is similar to the temperatures expected to be encountered during operation.

Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.