A handy little tool for stirring
I had been somewhat frustrated when nitrating polyols using a glass rod to stir the nitration mix as it's terribly inefficient, and anyone who has
nitrated a polyol knows that the mixed acids quickly become too thick for a magnetic stirrer.
One day I was in a $2 shop and spotted a little battery operated stirring device that is sold to froth milk for coffees.
It's proven to be a very handy little tool -- I've used it when nitrating erythritol, pentaerythritol, mannitol, xylitol, micro-crystalline cellulose,
and even when making RDX.
Simply moving it up and down through the acids ensures a constant and thorough mixing.
I've added up to 30 grams of polyol in one portion without any issues, and the various polyols have all been rapidly dispersed through the acids.
The vapours from 99%+ HNO3 when making RDX will attack the plastic body unless it's periodically removed from the acid.
Mixed acids present no difficulty and it's been used for the duration of the nitration without removing it.
Another use I found for it was when making sodium nitrite.
The reaction vessel was a stainless steel cylinder, 14cm x 6cm diam., and after the reduction of the NO3 there was a solid lump in the
bottom. I simply poured some boiling water into the cylinder, fired up the little stirrer, and within a few minutes the solid mass was completely
dissolved -- this greatly reduced the amount of water used for recovery of the NO2 to a few hundred mls.
These little devices are cheap so it's worthwhile getting a couple to have a spare on hand.
It's also prudent to make sure the batteries are good before starting a nitration, and have spares nearby just in case, although with better batteries
I've never had to replace them mid-nitration.
Easy to clean under running water with an old toothbrush.
Make sure that the acids aren't too deep for the shaft.
- a photo of one of the devices I use 
- a video showing their use when nitrating pentaerythritol and micro-crystalline cellulose here
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