Immersion heater 230V / 3 kW with thermostat 0-110 °C · 55 mm thread · for wax boilers

3 kW at 230 V — enough power for 75-100 L

At 3 kW on 230 V single-phase household power, this heater is the go-to size for wax boilers and settling tanks of 75 to 100 litres. With the lid on and reasonable insulation, it takes 75 L of cold wax (20 °C) up to working temperature (80 °C) in about 90-120 minutes. To install it you need a 16 A Schuko socket on a proper RCD and at least 2.5 mm² wiring — nothing beyond a normal domestic circuit.

Stepless 0-110 °C thermostat

Rotary dial with a continuous scale — no steps — you set it by the degree rather than by preset. The range goes to 110 °C, but for wax you should never go above 85 °C: beeswax melts at 62-65 °C, the working window sits between 75 and 85 °C, and above that you get permanent thermal degradation — darkening, loss of aroma, cosmetic-grade properties dropping (the European Pharmacopoeia reference melting point is 65 °C). For wax destined for candles or cosmetics aim for 75 °C and do not drift.

55 mm thread — industrial standard

The 55 mm thread is the most common format on European food-grade boilers and wax melters. It bolts into the bottom or lower side wall of the tank with an O-ring seal. Before you order, check your existing boiler — the thread really is 55 mm, not 50 mm, not American 1½''. If the thread is different this heater will not fit.

Two real uses — spare part and DIY build

As a spare part. If your original heater has burned out, a new one costs a fraction of a whole new boiler. One hour of work and the boiler is operational again.
As a DIY component. Combine this heater with a 60-100 L stainless steel 304/316 tank, an insulated lid and a drain tap and you have an efficient melter for a fraction of the price of a factory unit. To protect the wax from direct thermal shock, set it up as a water bath: the heater warms water in the outer vessel and the wax sits in an inner container — steadier temperature, much lower risk of degradation.

Safety — what the manual does not tell you

Never switch on dry. With no liquid covering the element it burns out in seconds — the main reason heaters fail in home-built melters. When starting from solid wax, pour hot water on top first (or run a water-bath setup) to protect the element while the wax melts.
Keep the thermostat low. 80-85 °C for working wax. Do not crank it to 110 °C expecting faster melting — the wax does melt, but you are wrecking it.
Unplug when finished. The dial only regulates, it does not cut power — if you leave the boiler plugged in and the thermostat holding temperature, it keeps consuming and can overheat if the wax level drops.

Technical specs