Hello, folks.

The use of magnetic stir plates for mixing solvent and soup has been discussed. The consensus seems to be that it is a more-thorough-feeling approach than turning a separatory funnel end-over-end (and, I would say, less accident-prone) but I have seen admonitions not to mix too aggressively, lest an emulsion form.

Discovered by accident: While a magnetic stir plate can be used to form an emulsion, it can also be used to break one.

By stirring the mixture slowly with something passing through the emulsion (such as a temperature probe) the object will eventually disrupt the tiny bubbles forming the emulsion and it will be eliminated. This process might take ten or fifteen minutes.