I have a shop that I like to keep insulated and warm while I'm working on projects, but it tends to get pretty cold (around 45°F) when I'm not actively using it. My main concern is that my paints, glues, and epoxies stored in a flammable cabinet get hard and stiff. I'm thinking about ways to keep the temperature around 75°F. Would using a heat pad, like a terrarium heater, along with a temperature controller be safe, or am I just asking for trouble with fire hazards?
4 Answers
Instead of putting a heater inside, consider placing a terrarium-style heater pad underneath the cabinet. Just layer it on some MDF or foam board to conserve energy. If you only need heat occasionally, a pet bed heater with a temperature switch could work too!
Honestly, I’d advise against putting any kind of heater inside the cabinet. It's just too much of a fire risk.
A 60-watt light bulb on a thermostatic switch works great too! Just make sure to use a non-sparking LED light for extra safety. 🙂
I actually insulated my metal shop cabinet and added a 25-watt bulb connected to a temperature controller that kicks in at 50°F and turns off at 60°F. It's been working perfectly for me, keeping the contents nice and warm without worry!
I like that idea.