Continuing on lessons learned from Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw on building an iron vat I am looking for a way to heat my 26 gallon vat. My first try with my current aquarium heater was a bust due to its limiting heat at 80 degrees F. So I went back to researching and found a bucket immersion heater with the proper heat range. The first one arrived with an in box warning of “do not use in iron container”. This was not on the web page when initially ordered. Since this is an iron vat, I decided to return it and reload and try again. The 2nd immersion heater arrived with no such warning. This one heats beautifully.
While I was waiting for the insulation to arrive I kept track of the air and water temps. My past solar fructose vat was only operated at 90 degrees F + so I was unfamiliar with my lower temp and its impact one my vat’s water sitting under shelter. Below are my log sheets for info.
All is in place, now I just need a block of time to pull together the ingredients. I’ve set out my pots to heat water to dissolve everything and will proceed with putting all the good stuff in the vat.
debmcclintock 
later this week I swear I am going to catch up with all you have been doing!! thanks for laying it all out like you do!
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