Old Brower Incubator-anyone use one?

[clothdiaperingmom]

Does anyone have/use the old galvanized round Brower incubator? If so, how does it do at keeping temps? What are your overall experiences with it??

I was looking at one on ebay..doesnt seem to have the auto or manual turner, but otherwise looks like it is all there. Looks like a computer fan has been installed. The window, if you can call it that, is teeny tiny..would be able to see much at all!! To me it looks like it has a flip switch so Im wondering how temp is adjusted???

But compared to the styrofoam bator, this one has to be waaaay better built and built to last!

This one has the sticker on it that says model 846 which is supposed to hold 100 eggs as it has no turner. Thats ALOT of eggs!!!!!

I compared it to the newer, plastic clear top model, which heats with a 60 watt light bulb (Im not sure about that, never used one with a light).

Any opinions appreciated! Thanks

 

[Cattitude]

My aunt and uncle had one that they used to hatch a gazillion quail. They finally sold it at a yard sale for $25 and as far as I know, it's still pumping out baby birds.

 

[shelleyb1969]

I have one and I love it. I cover mine with a medium weight blanket to keep the temp steady...otherwise it will fluctuate with the temperature in the room. Mine works awesome...the most reliable 'bator I have. I've only done 1 hatch in it, though...most of the time I move the eggs into a Hovabator so I can actually see what's going on. The one hatch I did do in the Brower was like Christmas...I opened up the lid on day 23 and WOW...chicks everywhere! But it was soooo hard to resist opening it to check on the hatch. When/if my Brower ever quits, I'll definitely try to find another.

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Shellyb1969-how do you know what the temp is if you cant see in? (I was just thinking about that!) I guess maybe could use the therm that has the probe, stick probe in?
Also, is it flip switch or a turn knob???

Wonder if you have to replace anything with the heating? I had to replace my thermostat in my hovabator and have heard if running it alot, might require new one every couple of yrs.

2 good reports on the Brower- anyone else with experience with one?

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
I have an all-in-one temp/humidity gauge...I prop it up against one wall and position the little window on the 'bator top so that I can shine a flashlight in and see the readings. Mine is a turn knob. When I first got it, it took me a few incubations to get it set right. But once I had the knob in the right spot for 99.5 degrees, I've NEVER had to adjust it since. Even when I unplug it to clean it, when I plug it back in it goes right back to where it should be.

I've replaced the wafer thermostat in it once...and I've been using it almost 2 years now. But I did that just as a precautionary...I didn't want the wafer to quit right in the middle of a hatch. I was told to replace it once/year.