(Part 2) Best plant heating mats according to redditors

I have a heat mat I use to start growing seedlings in the spring. In the fall, I use it to heat my plastic tubs of sweet potatoes. I place a glass of water at the bottom of the tub. The heat mat heats up the potatoes to 85 degrees, and the water increases the humidity to 90% or so. Leave it for 7-10 days, and they are done curing. Then I wrap them in newspaper and put them in a cardboard box in the basement. They can last a year that way.

Sure! It's pretty basic, actually. The table is a 4x2' stainless steel table from IKEA. Pretty cheap, but you could do cheaper, I just already had it. The heating pad is the same size (happy coincidence.) The cups are regular solo cups, most expensive element was the lights. You'll also want a timer, I use this one. And finally, the most ghetto part of the whole set up, the tent! I made it out of cardboard, tin foil and duct tape. Gotta save that paper.

When I bought this it was $17: the digital heat sensors
https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Digital-Seedling-Thermostat-Controller/dp/B015F4VFGI/ref=pd_bxgy_86_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B015F4VFGI&pd_rd_r=1HCKJXJJBBV0NW2W1AYK&pd_rd_w=fJNYN&pd_rd_wg=iKA5l&psc=1&refRID=1HCKJXJJBBV0NW2W1AYK


Here is the heat pad, it is always on full blast (you put it under the tray and the heat goes up, and put the heat sensor at the top so when the thing is fully heated, it turns off) :
https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Babies-Heating-Waterproof-Seedling/dp/B013HFKRMK/ref=pd_sim_86_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B013HFKRMK&pd_rd_r=1HCKJXJJBBV0NW2W1AYK&pd_rd_w=152tJ&pd_rd_wg=iKA5l&psc=1&refRID=1HCKJXJJBBV0NW2W1AYK

Or you can use this programmable controller the head:
https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Fahrenheit-Digital-Temperature-Controller/dp/B011VGASLW/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1481436370&sr=1-5&keywords=digital+heat+switch
But you have to do some wiring (outlet cord, and wire an outlet) and you have to read up on how to program it


I use the programmable timer for Quail and the timer above in the first link for grow trays/starts. Either combination should work. Can you post pictures of your worm farm? Thanks

I have a mini fridge set up as a temp controlled fermenter (stc1000 and all) and was having trouble battling 45 degree ambient with a target of 77 degree (trappist) with the small heat pad that came with one of our pet beds. I found a temporary crutch to boost it up to 77 by putting boiling water into a SS bottle, and that worked for a few days while fermentation was active but now that it started slowing down I noticed the temperature dropping.

I got one of these 40x20 seed mats and it got me back up to temperature quickly: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E9IO8V0/ref=twister_B01MQEMBHP?_encoding=UTF8&th=1 (no referrer)

I was surprised to see this heat mat solution not sold in brew stores more often - it seems like a good solution since you can't use those narrow heat bands on glass, and I am definitely not interested in submerging an aquarium heater into my wort with the whole chance of contamination and/or uneven heat by having one direct source. Opinions?

No, theyre made specifically for seed starting. They just provide a little bit of heat, ws up the soil a couple degrees. Like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZVRXWQ

Edit: I don't have this brand and don't have brand recommendations. But in general seeds do sprout faster and more reliably in warmer temperatures

As /u/balathustrius said (Woah I spelled it right on my first try!), 16°c is great as long as it doesn't go much lower, and a blanket will help since it can generate some of its own heat.

But one alternative is to look into seedling germination mats. I use something like this to manage the temperature of my wine (in combination with a temperature controller)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0782R263R?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I got this one! It keeps it like 10 degrees over the ambient right on the pad, if you elevate the jars it helps keep it slightly cooler

Wondering if this would be similar/comparable for quite a bit less... I had been looking into making my own out of flex watt.

http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Sprout-Seed-Germination-Heat-Dimmer/dp/B007AP2XJE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1449667588&sr=8-7&keywords=heat+pad+dimmer (the 4" one)

I bought this set up...three lights totaling 900watts. One would probably do you fine. Also you might want to consider a heating mat if you dont have one. Plants do like the warmer the better.
I use a 1500 watt space heater in my grow room and keep it a constant 80 degrees and they are killing it. I also have a heating mat which is posted below that I use in my office set up. There are smaller ones for a little cheaper.

One of these: $79.99
Roleadro LED Grow Light, Galaxyhydro Series 300W Indoor Plant Grow Lights Full Spectrum with UV&IR for Veg and Flower

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PH1MQV8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Two of these: $69.99
Roleadro Upgrade and Newly Developed LED Grow Light Full Spectrum 2nd Generation Series 300w Plants Light
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HI3AFYM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$35.99 VIVOSUN Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad 48" x 20.75"
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMXI6VA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fermenter

If you like glass fermenters and have a power-drill get this or something like it. I absolutely love mine, makes cleaning my glass ones a cinch

Heating Element

Water proof and cheaper than any "brew belt" with same power density: Seed Germination Mat such as this one

Gloves

What you linked to are generic vinyl-dipped or nitrile gloves. I'd go for silicone barbecue gloves such as this for more insulation from the heat

Thermometer

If you're on a budget and Thermapen/MK4 is not an option, most reviews conclude this is the best bang for your buck: Lavatools Javelin

For the time being, you could wrap a towel around them until you get a heat source. If there's a home brew shop near you, you might want to look for something like this or this and until you can afford more heat sources, maybe a hard sided cooler with some hot water bottles? Oh, or, something like this that you could wrap around more than one jar.

Depends on how much you want to spend but a simple and easy route is a electric heater with a fan hooked to a thermostats like this

https://www.amazon.com/Lux-Automatic-Programmable-Thermostat-Compatible/dp/B000E7NYY8

Check all the panels to see how well they are sealed and consider heat mates for under the pots to keep the roots from getting to cold. You can also put down normal mats to insulate the cold from the brick floor.

https://www.amazon.com/Seedling-Hydroponic-Waterproof-Germination-Propagation/dp/B073RC58JN/ref=asc_df_B073RC58JN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216531753338&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5024264790334445552&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1014966&hvtargid=pla-350506522936&psc=1

You might want to add a small second fan just to make sure you have a good circulation of air moving and don’t get any cold or hot spots.

This is the best deal on a heat pad, I got the two pac 10x20”. One for my adult breeder tank and the other my baby bin. MET Certified 2 Pack Seedling Heat Mat, Seedfactor Waterproof Durable Germination Station Heat Mat, Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad for Indoor Home Garden https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078J2YMY9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_mcJhtNPyGqKmk