honey heater/hot box

[Jack Grimshaw]

I'm looking for advice on honey heaters similar to the one in beesource plans.what temp should I be using and for how long?I tried 95 then 100 and finally 105.It took 8 days to clarify slightly crystalized honey.I have a fan so the temp is consistant throughout.Ihad 48 1lb jars w/air space between them.
Thanks,Jack

[Barry]

Hello Jack -

Having the same heater that is on beesource, I usually have mine set at 110 degrees and get 5 gallon buckets liquid overnight. If you have the time, lower temps at longer times is better for the honey. A good page that gives data on this is:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~jtemp/EnzThem.html

Regards,
Barry

[Jack Grimshaw]

Thanks Barry,
What wattage are your bulb(s)?I'm presently using a single 60 watt bulb but plan to switch to 100 watt to speed warm up time.

The URL was a wake up re. microwaving honey.I have used one in the past but never again.
Jack

[Barry]

Jack -

I use three, 100 watt bulbs. It gets the temperature up quick. The thermostate I used has a 4 or 5 degree drop limit before it kicks on. 110 degrees is still not overly high as it gets this hot for extended periods of time in the Southwest. I would not go above 120 degrees.

Regards,
Barry

[mark williams]

On making a heater box can you tell me where to get a thermostat. thanks mark

[Jack Grimshaw]

Mark

Walter Kelley 1-800-233-2899

heat limit control cat.no.250 $42.00(2002price)

Jack

[Barry]

I purchased mine from Surplus Center (1-800-488-3407) for under $10.00 but I don't think they have them anymore. Their inventory changes so it would be something you would have to keep checking on. Call and get a catalog.

W.W. Grainger also sells a suitable remote bulb thermostat.

Mfr.: Sunne
Mfr. model: TC119
Grainger stock no. 2E848
Cost: $52.01

[honeyman46408]

If you want to go cheep I use a wall dimmer switch and a 150watt bulb with a digatel thometar I am going to add a fan as the temp will varry by 20 degrees from top to bottem

[BWrangler]

Hello Everyone,

Another cheap solution for temp control is the 120V heater thermostat used to control household baseboard heaters. They can be bought for less than $20 at most building supply stores.

They are controlled by a pneumatic diaphram and a set of contact points. The upper temp limits on the dial are generally about 90 degrees F but this can be circumvented by bending down a stop tab underneath the dial.

Of course the higher settings will have to be calibrated with a thermometer and then the dial marked for the appropriate setting.

Most have at least a 5 degree differential between the on and off switching.

Best Wishes
Dennis