Heated storage cabinet

[doneill127]

Was wondering if any has bought or built a heated storage cabinet to keep glues adhesives, tool batteries gaskets adheive etc warm in an unheated barn or garage.

 

[Willman]

I used a old refrigerator, put a box and porcelain lamp holder mounted on the back wall all the way at the bottom, used a 40 watt bulb
Just make sure to keep anything from being too close to the bulb

 

[doneill127]

I’ve seen a few using the bulb, easy solution, something makes me a little uncomfortabl with it. Also saw someone used a 24 watt, gun cabinet dehumidifier rod. Thought that was interesting.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a small cabinet with a light cage encased 60 watt incadescent lamp. Use it to prevent freezing of stuff. Cabinet is insulated. i added a thermostat that controls light bulb.

 

[Tinhack]

That's odd. I keep my special glues and activators in the refrigerator. Spray paint and fluid/oil cans stay in can racks for the frequently used and just a plain old metal cabinet for the rest.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I've used this device plus an incandescent bulb to keep an insulated box above freezing:

Amazon.com

I don't know where you'd get an incandescent bulb these days.

 

[grsthegreat]

Luckily i have about 50 of them sitting on a shelf. 60, 75 and 100s. Also a bunch of incandescent r40 flood lights indoor rated.

 

[square1]

I have an IKEA cabinet with a cheap 1500 watt ceramic heater sitting on the lowest level. Paints, caulks, etc.. fill the rest of the cabinet,

 

[Happy in NC]

I had my welding rods in a small fridge with a 60 watt bulb until it burnt out. It worked great. Can't find incandescent anywhere any more

 

[bigtiller]

I leave everything on the shelf and heat the garage to 45°. The snow/ice on the cars and tractor melts and dries out overnight.

With a well insulated garage, heating it to 45° is VERY economical, just don't forget to shut the door.

 

[Runner]

I wonder if it would be safe to place a coil of heat tape in the bottom of the cabinet?

 

[caver]

Enclosure heater for electrical boxes but they are PRICEY.
Wire wound resister would be a cheap option and should last if you get a good quality one.

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[doneill127]

Bigtiller, no way I’m heating a 3 bay board and batten two story building that’s has sliding bypass doors on it. And code around here won’t allow a wood or pellet stove from what the building inspector told me.
Think I’m going to go with a metal cabinet, insulate it and instead of a light bulb was going to try one of these. They’re ceramic with heating coils embedded in it.

 

[kneedeep]

Use a dehumidifier rod, they put off enough heat to warm a gun safe.

 

[bigtiller]

Bigtiller, no way I’m heating a 3 bay board and batten two story building that’s has sliding bypass doors on it. And code around here won’t allow a wood or pellet stove from what the building inspector told me.
Think I’m going to go with a metal cabinet, insulate it and instead of a light bulb was going to try one of these. They’re ceramic with heating coils embedded in it.

Interesting. Sounds like something I would do in those conditions.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

I've used this device plus an incandescent bulb to keep an insulated box above freezing:

Amazon.com

I don't know where you'd get an incandescent bulb these days.

Menards

 

[jyoutz]

I've used this device plus an incandescent bulb to keep an insulated box above freezing:

Amazon.com

I don't know where you'd get an incandescent bulb these days.

They do make incandescent poultry heater bulbs, but they would put out too much heat for this purpose. Old refrigerators are the perfect cheap insulated cabinet. And there are lots of low wattage heating devices to keep them from freezing inside. Electric dog bed heating mats are one example.

 

[doneill127]

I looked at the gun safe dehumidifier rods and almost went that route. Can get them up to 24W. Then the frugal part of me kicked in. Free incandescent bulb, $32 dehumidifier rods, $7 dollar ceramic heater. Going to try the screw in ceramic heater, if that doesn’t work I have a box of bulbs in the loft.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Timely post. I am about to do something similar, but for a different reason. We are installing a steam shower in our new addition and the only real place for it is in the unfinished crawl space below our bathroom. This is SE Tennessee so 90% of the time my crawl space stays above freezing. But just as a precaution I am going to create a box for it with one of these thermostatically controlled outlets in it. I am leaning towards the screw in ceramic heater. But I am keeping an open mind and following along.

 

[LouNY]

Lots of 40 watt appliance incandescent bulbs still available as well as heat lamp bulbs.
I use a refrigerator with a light bulb also myself.