6 Best Heating Elements For Stock Tank Deicers That Actually Last All Winter
Keep stock tanks ice-free with a deicer that lasts. We review 6 top models, focusing on heating element durability for reliable, season-long performance.
There’s no winter chore quite like swinging an axe at a frozen stock tank before the sun is even up. While it builds character, it’s a brutal, repetitive task that puts animal health at risk. A reliable deicer isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical tool for ensuring your livestock have constant access to water, saving you from back-breaking labor in the harshest weather.
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Choosing the Right Deicer for Your Farm Setup
Picking the right deicer is less about finding the "best" one and more about matching the tool to your specific situation. The perfect deicer for a 150-gallon metal cattle tank is the wrong choice for a 30-gallon plastic sheep trough. You need to consider a few key variables before you buy.
First, look at your tank. Is it plastic or metal? Some high-wattage deicers can warp or damage certain types of plastic tanks if not used correctly. The size of the tank dictates the wattage you’ll need—a 250-watt unit won’t make a dent in a 100-gallon tank in a Dakota winter, but a 1500-watt deicer is expensive overkill for a small bucket.
Next, consider your animals and the power source. Are your goats notorious chewers? You’ll need a deicer with a chew-proof cord or a plan to protect it. The distance to your outlet also matters; a long, undersized extension cord is a fire hazard and will reduce the deicer’s effectiveness.
Finally, think about the type of deicer that fits the tank’s design. The main options include:
- Floating Deicers: Sit on the water’s surface. Easy to see and remove, but can be a toy for curious animals.
- Submersible/Sinking Deicers: Sit on the bottom of the tank. They are out of the way and protected, heating the water from below.
- Drain Plug Deicers: Replace the tank’s drain plug. These are the most protected and efficient but only work with specific types of troughs.
Farm Innovators H-418 Floating Tank Deicer
The floating deicer is the classic, go-to solution for many farmsteads. The Farm Innovators H-418 is a workhorse in this category, designed to float on the surface and keep a hole open in the ice, even in deep freezes. Its primary advantage is simplicity. You just put it in the tank and plug it in.
Because it floats, you can see at a glance that it’s working. This model is thermostatically controlled, meaning it only turns on when the water temperature drops near freezing, saving on your electric bill. It’s a solid choice for large, open metal or heavy-duty plastic stock tanks where livestock are less likely to bother it. The main tradeoff is that a curious horse or cow might nudge it, and heavy winds can reduce its efficiency by cooling the surface.
API 15N Submersible Deicer for Large Tanks
When you need serious, reliable heating for a large tank, a submersible deicer is often the better choice. The API 15N is a powerful 1500-watt unit that sinks to the bottom of the tank. This design is far more efficient for large volumes of water because it heats from the bottom up, allowing warmer water to rise naturally.
Its biggest strength is that it’s out of sight and out of mind. Submerged on the tank floor, it is completely protected from animals who might otherwise try to play with a floating unit. This makes it ideal for high-traffic troughs used by cattle or horses. The heavy-duty cord is a plus, but as with any deicer, ensuring it’s protected from potential chewers is critical. This unit is overkill for small tanks but is one of the most dependable options for 75-gallon tanks and larger.
K&H Ultimate Drain Plug Deicer for Troughs
For certain setups, the drain plug deicer is the most elegant and hassle-free solution available. The K&H Ultimate Drain Plug Deicer does exactly what its name implies: it replaces the drain plug on your stock tank. This clever design puts the heating element and thermostat entirely inside the tank, with the cord exiting through the drain hole.
The benefits are huge. The cord is immediately routed away from the tank, making it far easier to protect from animals. The unit itself is completely inaccessible, eliminating any risk of it being damaged or removed by livestock. It’s also incredibly efficient since it’s low in the tank and fully submerged. The only catch is that your tank must have a standard drain hole. It won’t work for every trough, but for those it fits, it’s a true "set it and forget it" winter tool.
Farm Innovators C-500 Cast Aluminum Deicer
Durability is the name of the game with the Farm Innovators C-500. This is a sinking deicer built with a heavy-duty cast aluminum housing. It’s designed to withstand the abuse that comes with being in a tank with large, pushy animals. If you’ve ever had a deicer get cracked or broken by a cow, this is the kind of unit you should be looking at.
The C-500 is thermostatically controlled and designed for multi-purpose use in metal, plastic, or rubber tanks. Its low-profile, sinking design keeps it out of the way on the tank floor. The rugged construction means it can handle being stepped on or knocked around without failing. This isn’t the most delicate instrument, but it is a tough, reliable heater for tough environments.
Gesail 250-Watt Sinking Deicer: Low Power
Not every farm needs a 1500-watt powerhouse. For smaller waterers, buckets, or for those in more temperate winter climates, a low-wattage deicer like the Gesail 250-Watt model is a smart, energy-efficient choice. Running a high-power deicer 24/7 can add a noticeable amount to your electricity costs, and this unit helps manage that.
This deicer is best suited for tanks under 30 gallons. It’s not designed to keep a massive stock tank completely ice-free in sub-zero temperatures. Instead, its job is to maintain a small, open hole for drinking in a smaller container. It’s an excellent, cost-effective option for goat pens, chicken coops, or small animal enclosures where water volume is manageable. Just be realistic about its limitations in extreme cold.
K&H Perfect Temp Deicer for Plastic Tanks
One of the biggest worries for hobby farmers is whether a deicer will melt their plastic stock tank. While most modern deicers are designed to be safe, the K&H Perfect Temp is specifically engineered for this peace of mind. It uses an internal thermostat that keeps the heating element at a much lower temperature than many other models, making it completely safe for any plastic or structural foam tank.
This 250-watt floating deicer is ideal for smaller plastic tanks ranging from 5 to 30 gallons. It provides just enough heat to prevent freezing without any risk to the tank’s integrity. If you have older plastic troughs or are simply cautious, this is a fantastic and safe choice. It ensures your animals have water without you having to worry about a catastrophic tank failure.
Deicer Safety and Maintenance for Winter Use
A deicer is a powerful electrical appliance running in water, so safety is not optional. The single most important rule is to always plug your deicer into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet. A GFCI will instantly cut the power if it detects a fault, preventing dangerous electrical shocks to you or your animals. If your barn doesn’t have one, have an electrician install one.
Protect the cord at all costs. Animals, especially curious goats and bored horses, will chew on electrical cords. Run the cord through a PVC or metal conduit to keep it safe. Never use a frayed or damaged cord, and avoid using lightweight indoor extension cords. Use only heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords that are properly sized for the deicer’s wattage.
Finally, a little maintenance goes a long way. Before the first freeze, inspect your deicer for cracks and test it in a bucket of water. Throughout the winter, periodically unplug it and scrub off any mineral buildup. This scale can insulate the heating element, forcing it to work harder and eventually causing it to burn out prematurely. A clean deicer is an efficient and long-lasting deicer.
Ultimately, the best deicer is the one that reliably provides water for your animals without demanding your constant attention. By matching the deicer’s type, power, and design to your specific tank and livestock, you can cross one of winter’s most demanding chores off your list. A little planning now ensures peace of mind when the temperature plummets.
