How the Heck do You Get this Thing OPEN?!?

[gtaus]

There are base heaters that work with plastic waterers but they typically don't work in extreme cold because they can't get to hot or it would melt the plastic. I used mine cranked up to the highest setting during the last cold snap we had and it kept water from freezing when it was about 2 degrees F but the water was cold.

I guess extreme cold depends on where you live. Where I live, in northern Minnesota, we typically get a week or two of -35F to -40F temps. To me, thats very cold. But even at the -40F temps, my metal base heater has been keeping my metal fount waterer ice free inside the chicken coop. I cannot remember the turn on/cut off temps of the heater, but I think it is designed to keep the water at +35F. The heater base automatically shuts itself off if the temp is above that ~+35F range.

In the dead of winter, when the heater base is turned on and running 24/7, it costs me about $0.36 per day or $11.00 per month to heat the water. For me, that's a small price to pay to keep fresh water in the coop for the chickens and keep them alive.

Interestingly, the heater base is only rated to keep the water from freezing down to +10F, but inside the chicken coop, out of the wind and blowing snow, it still keeps my water from freezing even down to those days when we hit -40F.

When I looked into buying my heater/waterer setup, the plastic options were not rated for our lowest expected temps, so I went with the metal base heater and 3-gallon metal waterer fount option. It has worked great for me.

And, in keeping with the theme of this thread, I have never had a problem getting the metal waterer top off for refilling or cleaning, even when it gets down to -40F!

 

[Jackisews]

D

Really dumb question, but any tips or tricks on getting this type of waterer open? I love the way I can fill it and then remove the little cap, but I have to tighten it SO TIGHT if I don't want it to overflow, that when it comes time to change the water it makes my hands ache fr the whole day afterwards!
View attachment 3374299

on't laugh. I'm in my 70's and I have to hold the white part petween my knees and use all my muscle power to unscrew the top. I smear vaseline around the inside of the lid when I put it together and that helps some, but it is still dfficult. If I'm lucky I can persuade my husband to undo it, but it is a chore.

 

[catballou]

There are base heaters that work with plastic waterers but they typically don't work in extreme cold because they can't get to hot or it would melt the plastic. I used mine cranked up to the highest setting during the last cold snap we had and it kept water from freezing when it was about 2 degrees F but the water was cold.

If you have the same style as in the picture at the start of the post then yes they can be a bit tricky but if you hold the bottom down (firmly) and use one hand to release one of the red clamps in the base and your other hand to tilt and pull the water jug it should come free with a little work. I thought at first it would be easier when it was empty but I've found removing it from the base is actually easier when water jug was full. The weight of the jug when you tilt it helps you get it free from the base. Now I have the 3 gal version, i'm not 100% sure this is how the 5 gal version works.

Thank you! I'll try it