Heating blanket for honey tanks

01 · THE SIZE

Chosen by circumference, not by kilos

The blanket has to go all the way round the tank and close with the velcro: the 50 kg one is 1,090 mm long and reaches about 34 cm across; the 100, 1,330 (42 cm); the 200, 1,760 (56 cm). It is the question that most often reaches the mailbox: a tank 37 cm across is 116 cm round and the 50 does not close, you need the 100. On a narrower tank the blanket overlaps and works; on a wider one, it does not. Measure the circumference and the useful wall height before choosing.

02 · HOW IT WORKS

Thermostat, timer and a thermometer of your own

Set the temperature on the controller, programme the time and let it work: the crystallised honey of a 50 kg tank takes in the order of a day to turn liquid, longer the colder and harder it is. Above 40-45 °C honey loses aromas and its HMF rises, so the setting is conservative, checked with a thermometer inside the honey, and you stir so the cold centre catches up with the hot wall. It also keeps honey fluid while bottling.

03 · WHAT PEOPLE ASK

Plastic, crystallisation and the manual

On a plastic bucket or tank it can be used with the temperature under control, since plastic does not take what stainless does. Liquefied honey crystallises again over time, like any honey; the blanket undoes it, it does not prevent it. The textile part is cleaned with a damp sponge and neutral soap, without immersing it. The manual is downloaded from the product page; if your blanket came without it, it is there.

04 · SAFETY

Electrical equipment next to metal and food

Blanket, cable and controller are checked before each use; work dry, with an earthed socket, without folding or overlapping the heating part and never unattended. Switch off if there is an abnormal smell, a spot too hot or an inconsistent reading.

05 · BEFORE YOU BUY

The blanket of the chosen size is supplied with its controller; tank and thermometer come separately.