In message <[log in to unmask]>, Janet Montgomery
& Dan Veilleux <[log in to unmask]> writes
>I have read several plans for honey melters for 5-10 gallons of crystallized
>honey using an insulated box and light bulbs governed by a thermostat. Since
>all of my honey crystallizes I really want to build such a device..My
>problem is where does one find an inexpensive thermostat that can be rigged
>to a light bulb..
>I have a beer making thermostat for regulating cold refrigerators but that
>only goes to 80F (22C) , an old furnace thermostat than still falls short of
>the 130F ( 60C) needed.
>Any suggestions would be appreciated
>
I would suggest you save some money.......
 
Unless you get hold of a really accurate system (not just an on/off
thermostat), then you are wasting your time trying to control the
temperature because the variation in temperature between on and off is
very wide, and you can easily overheat the honey. Overheating causes
cumulative damage and loss of flavour. I would recommend you spend your
time with a range of light bulbs - 30, 40 , 60 watts etc - and a good
thermometer. Keep your insulated box in a location that is already
fairly temperature-controlled (preferably central-heated), and run some
tests starting with the smallest bulb. Let the whole system stabilize
for 24 hours or longer. Once you have a working set-up with a bulb of
enough power to reach the required temperate and where heat losses match
power input, you can just put your honey in and forget about it!! If you
need fine tuning then increase/decrease the insulation.
--
Alyn W. Ashworth
Lancashire & North-West Bee-Keepers' Association.
(but I don't speak on their bee-half)