WG30 Insulated Drum Band Heater - Barrel Heater, Fixed Internal Thermostat Max Temp 145 F, Tan

I purchased this product to keep my commercial brewing process at the exact temp. With the addition of a thermometer controlled electrical device, I've simplified my life.

Fits great. Works great.

Works great, but straps are too short for a 55 gallon barrel

Ok, i know these WarmGuards are meant for keeping drum shaped barrels warm, but i use them (the WG30-30 gallon and the WG05-5 gallon sizes) for proofing* and culturing. The max 145 degree temp provides just enough heat when not in direct contact with my breads and yogurts (about 80-125 degrees depending on my placement), to provide a perfect even and consistent heat for yeasts and cultures to grow, so I can have my oven free for other things than incubation. There are commercial bread proofing boxes and yogurt makers, but I find them limiting for the shapes or quantities of the foods I am making, and these large heating pads are exactly right.I have the WG30 on my counter in my pics, shown w a large cookie sheet that's sitting atop a cooling rack (to keep the sheet off the direct heat of the pad), and i can custom shape it around my bread (white whole wheat /oat rolls shown) and adjust the height of top of the pad w drink glasses. Not shown here, i put the smaller WG05 in a cardboard box when making yogurt, to keep it at a comfy 113 by using it with a digital temperature controller  Inkbird Itc-308 Digital Temperature Controller Outlet Thermostat, 2-stage, 1100w, w/ Sensor . These blankets are really useful, and i'm not sure anyone is using them the way I am, but i'd recommend this method highly if you culture.*proofing is just getting the bread to rise (yeast to multiply) in a warm place before baking. Just in case anyone gets the wrong idea, i'm not actually baking in these pads!

This item doesn't fit a 30 gallon barrel. It's designed to fit a 55 gallon barrel. Had to return it.