The key to thermal stirring is to balance heat shed from the container sides with heat soak from the thermal source.<<<<
The water should not get 'hot'.
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It's temperature 'differential' that does the stirring.
. Preheating the water on very small batches both speeds up the process at the beginning and creates an inverted stir effect as the water cools. [same stir pattern, different primary source of the differential]
Problem..it sort of peters out when it's needed the most if the batch is too big and the room is cool.
..and don't exceed 110-120 deg F or other nasty things happen.
You can buy a thermal stir device for $15 including shipping or make your own out of a tuna can and a 4 to 7 watt nightlight bulb and candleabra socket. [Old style xmass tree parts from the second hand store]
Inverting a funnel in the container increases stir velocity and directs the flow better without the need for more heat. [in fact, it's best to use less heat..4 watt bulb]
A small plastic funnel can be used but you have to weigh it down so it doesn't float. [Stainless steel washer? ...galvanized zinc coated steel might be OK ] [Don't use copper]
Put spacers along the funnel rim so water can circulate under it. Short pieces of wire insulation split lengthwise and 'clamped' on the rim with the rim in the split works fine.
Or drill a series of small holes along the rim of a plastic funnel..or notch the rim a few times with snippers.
Ode
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A means of constant stirring will help even the most primative generators functionality.Raine: That was my thought with the thermal stirring. However, it just seemed to speed the process up more than I'd expected.
Ode
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