So far, I've been impressed with this device. Thanks to the great reviews on Amazon, I chose this brand over some other ones.
Currently, this is being used in a 5-gal plastic bucket with horizontal nipples installed. Coldest this winter has been 4F and has keep the nipples flowing. Last winter, in a 4-gal plastic bucket, it kept the horizontal nipples flowing to -9F. This is the second winter of use and I hope to get many more winters of use. I have heard these devices can wear out after a few years. I will update this review in the coming years.
It comes with a floater ring, which can be easily remove so that the deicer sits on the bottom of your water container, especially useful if using watering nipples.
I paid about $35, free shipping, from Amazon.
It has a built in thermostat...turns on the device at 32F and off at about 45F. So it keeps the water thawed, but not needlessly warm, so it doesn't use extra electricity. No need to purchase a Thermocube. A 250W heat element will last much longer than a 25W one.
By accident, I discovered recently that the auto safety-off feature does work as advertised. And rather than burning out a non-replaceable fuse, it simply shuts off. I unplugged it, plugged it back in and it started working again. This is a priceless safety feature to avoid an overheating situation, which could cause a fire. Obviously, it's best to never let any submersible heating device run dry, for safety reasons.
Previously, I had used a Petco submersible aquarium heater. Once, the water had gotten too low and it melted one of the suction cups, but hadn't shut off automatically as advertised. It also is oriented to be VERY close to the plastic bucket, perhaps a 1/2" gap between the heater and the bucket. This proximity is concerning and potentially much more dangerous than the K&H deicer. The K&H heat element is enclosed in a large plastic cage, which elevates the heat element about 2-3" from the nearest bucket surface. The only drawback of this is you will always need at least 3" of water in the bucket, so it will need to be refilled slightly more often.
This device is much more rugged and designed to be used outdoors. I used to not think this would matter with the aquarium heater, but now I see better. A device designed to be used outdoors is safer and will last longer.
Lastly, we tried the K&H in a 3-gal plastic bucket with vertical nipples last winter. It only worked to perhaps 15F. Below that, the nipples would freeze up. We had to switch to the more dangerous aquarium heater (at a higher electric cost due to keeping the water at 67F) to keep the vertical nipples thawed to about -5F. No problems with the K&H since switching to horizontal nipples.
Note that the dimensions listed on Amazon must be for the box in comes in and not for the unit. The deicer measures about 8" diameter and 5" height.
Currently, this is being used in a 5-gal plastic bucket with horizontal nipples installed. Coldest this winter has been 4F and has keep the nipples flowing. Last winter, in a 4-gal plastic bucket, it kept the horizontal nipples flowing to -9F. This is the second winter of use and I hope to get many more winters of use. I have heard these devices can wear out after a few years. I will update this review in the coming years.
It comes with a floater ring, which can be easily remove so that the deicer sits on the bottom of your water container, especially useful if using watering nipples.
I paid about $35, free shipping, from Amazon.
It has a built in thermostat...turns on the device at 32F and off at about 45F. So it keeps the water thawed, but not needlessly warm, so it doesn't use extra electricity. No need to purchase a Thermocube. A 250W heat element will last much longer than a 25W one.
By accident, I discovered recently that the auto safety-off feature does work as advertised. And rather than burning out a non-replaceable fuse, it simply shuts off. I unplugged it, plugged it back in and it started working again. This is a priceless safety feature to avoid an overheating situation, which could cause a fire. Obviously, it's best to never let any submersible heating device run dry, for safety reasons.
Previously, I had used a Petco submersible aquarium heater. Once, the water had gotten too low and it melted one of the suction cups, but hadn't shut off automatically as advertised. It also is oriented to be VERY close to the plastic bucket, perhaps a 1/2" gap between the heater and the bucket. This proximity is concerning and potentially much more dangerous than the K&H deicer. The K&H heat element is enclosed in a large plastic cage, which elevates the heat element about 2-3" from the nearest bucket surface. The only drawback of this is you will always need at least 3" of water in the bucket, so it will need to be refilled slightly more often.
This device is much more rugged and designed to be used outdoors. I used to not think this would matter with the aquarium heater, but now I see better. A device designed to be used outdoors is safer and will last longer.
Lastly, we tried the K&H in a 3-gal plastic bucket with vertical nipples last winter. It only worked to perhaps 15F. Below that, the nipples would freeze up. We had to switch to the more dangerous aquarium heater (at a higher electric cost due to keeping the water at 67F) to keep the vertical nipples thawed to about -5F. No problems with the K&H since switching to horizontal nipples.
Note that the dimensions listed on Amazon must be for the box in comes in and not for the unit. The deicer measures about 8" diameter and 5" height.