4 replies to this topic

[TimG]

Is anyone stateside familiar with IBC tote heaters? (or in the EU I guess, as long as they make a version for our much cooler outlets) I'm looking to possibly make an investment in some, and there are tons of different brands/options out there. Was hoping to get some real-world feedback from anyone who uses them before I pull the trigger. I'm planning on using this to improve viscosity on an ingredient prior to mixing and then on the finished product prior to bottling.

I'm specifically concerned with getting feedback on:

1. Quality/consistency (heating) of the blankets
2. Expected life (how hard are you using them and how often do you need to replace)
3. If you have tried a few brands, any I should stay away from or any you recommend

 If I have to jump in blind I'll do it, it's not that big of a deal. Figured I'd reach out and see if anyone else in the group has already dipped their toes in the pool first though.

[SQFconsultant]

I think we are in the same boat, we are about to jump in to these without input from others. 

 

We are buying 1 to try it out, and will then go whole hog ---

 

BriskHeat IBC/Tote Tank Heater, 240 Volts, 48in.H, Model# TOTE482-ADJ

This is from Northern Tool

 

https://www.northern...ote Tank Heater

[nwilson]

Used this brand at a prior plant to keep palm oils at an appropriate processing temperature.  Worked on both totes and corrugate cases on pallets.  You can also string serval together.  We were not hard on them physically, but were in constant use, and lasted several years.  Easy to clean and the straps were good quality as well.  

 

https://www.globalin...PhoCVMoQAvD_BwE

[TimG]

 Worked on both totes and corrugate cases on pallets.

This is the issue I'm running into. The ingredient I need warm starts in a bladder style tote (bag) fully wrapped in corrugate. We end up transferring it into plastic IBC's but the product has to eat floor space in our hot room prior to that, and there isn't always room.

 

Oh man, this one looks like it would work!! But then I noticed the probe has to sit in the liquid. I really don't want to deal with that cleaning program if I don't have to. Do you remember if you can turn it to max without the probe being in the liquid?

Edited by TimG, 10 February 2025 - 05:46 PM.

[nwilson]

This is the issue I'm running into. The ingredient I need warm starts in a bladder style tote (bag) fully wrapped in corrugate. We end up transferring it into plastic IBC's but the product has to eat floor space in our hot room prior to that, and there isn't always room.

 

These do work on the bladder type totes, the thickness of the corrugate does dictate the length of time needed to reach optimal temperature.  What we did was place the heater blanket on immediately at receipt/stocking of the material so there was enough contact time.  Our warehouse and material staging area would get into the 35-40°F range in the winter and the blanket would travel from warehouse storage to the staging area and only removed when the material was to be utilized.  We also applied a temperature data logger when we first implemented this process so we could know just how long the blanket would take to get the material to temp. as the data logger gave an alert when the threshold was reached.   

 

The plastic IBC's are a better candidate for the heater blankets, they get to temp a lot faster.