Warm water bath.I am having trouble finding a griddle or heating element that will go low temperature of 100-130. Does anybody have any suggestions?
We use Omega or Briskheat silicone heat pads, with a thermocouple and PID controller for our DIY chamber, but you can pick up a griddle and use a bed of sand to maintain temperatures in that range.
I will give this a try on my next batch! Is your pot just sitting right on top of the sand?As FD said...
^ That is absolutely the best way to maintain a steady consistent source of heat.
The griddle is 16$
50 lb of sand is 3.50$
Digital probe thermometer 20$
Its just as effective as an oven imo..
I can control temps in 1° increments.
By verifying the temp with the digital probe in the sand and correlating that temp with an IR reading of the oil..
My setup..if the digital in the sand reads 138° F... My oil temp is 115°
You will have to verify this with every batch, as some resins are more/less viscous than others...
I've converted quite a few folks to this method with excellent feedback.
Thanks for the information, can't wait to try that out. What temperature do you have your skillet on?^ Very innovative...
If you have some...
The rings that come with Mason jars can be used as a buffer as well..
It would be a little more efficient, because the heat will be more consistent...
I'm currently working on finding a way to implement slotted racks inside my chamber, two of them.
Not only will I be able to purge two slabs in the same chamber, but, raising the oil above the bottom of the chamber will create a more oven like environment..
Allowing the heated air to travel in the chamber heating the oil from the top & bottom.
I also use a level with this setup..
After I nestle the chamber into the sand, I place a level on the chambers lid, most all times I think it's even...
It is not...this will cause vertical (uneven) heating.
So, put a level on the lid and adjust the chamber until it's level ..
Check this on all angles..
For example.
Lay the level straight across, adjust.
Lay it perpendicular, adjust.
Diagonally each way and adjust.
Run your IR laser across the entire bottom of the chamber...
It should be 115° throughout the Entire surface.. The very edges will be a tad higher, maybe 116°..
Once I figure out how to implement a raised rack...
This is the closet to an actual Vac oven that I've been able to foresee.
Maybe I'll use the Mason Jar rings... cut slits in the lid..
Still weighing options.