Turn Up the Heat: Finding the Right Heater for Your Application
Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to get a thick, viscous material out of a drum or pail. It just won’t flow!
Sure it will, if you warm it up!
BASCO has what you need: band heaters, immersion heaters, heating jackets, and cabinets. What’s the Right one? That depends. Heating liquid in containers is a little like cooking a satisfying meal – the right method gets you a rave review!
BAND HEATERS provide the most economical heating you can buy.
Suppose you want to warm up a 55 gallon steel drum of sodium silicate – use a Model TRX55 band heater. Its aluminized steel shell pours the power on with up to 3,000 watts of heating power and thermostat settings that will get you to any temperature between 60° and 400° F. The thermostat works with liquids that accept heat without burning or charring.
Silicone rubber band heaters like Model SDH55 work the same, with the advantage of being lighter weight, easy to clean, and easier to store when not in use.
Heat-sensitive liquids subject to burning or charring, like chocolate, honey, or similar liquids, need lower power and more gentle warming. Model SRX55-115 pulses the heating power so things don’t get TOO hot.
Model SDH55120-4 pictured.
Got plastic drums? The Model LIMD55-115 heater is specially designed to protect plastic drums from excessive heat.
If you’re heating drums in a flammable area, you really need the Right heater. You must prevent sparks and control temperature. The Model SRH55T-115-T4A hazardous area heater puts 1,300 watts around a standard steel drum and has a safety temperature cutoff switch.
IMMERSION HEATERS give you fast efficient heating, like Model TAT30002. Immersion heaters fit through the bung opening on the drum top and put the heat directly into contact with the liquid. This only works with non-flammable liquids that aren’t sensitive to direct heat.
HEATING JACKETS keep the drum warm longer and save energy, too. Model FG55-120 (for steel drums) delivers 1,600 watts and has a 50° – 450° F thermostat. Model PBL-BB55 works with steel and plastic drums. It’s ideal when you want to gently warm honey a just-flowable temperature and retain the heat. We have heating blankets for IBCs too. Model IBC1 wraps around most 275 gallon IBCs and delivers 1,550 watts over a large surface area to protect the contents and the inner plastic bottle.
By the way, all of our heaters are designed for indoor use only. And remember, always vent your drums with an appropriate vent plug while heating.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to container heating. It’s important to get the right heater for your specific needs. BASCO can help you eliminate the guesswork and get where you need to go, just call us at 1-800-776-3786.
