5 safety tips for immersion rod water heaters

Are you a hosteller, frequent traveler or someone living away from home? You probably need no introduction to immersion rod heaters, that are perfect for portability and powered with energy efficiency. They are not just going to make your baths comfortable in chilly winters but also going to keep your coffee steaming during the freezing camping trip. 

However, if you are getting your hands on immersion heaters for the first time or after a really long time, here are some safety tips to ensure you don’t land up in an unprecedented mess. 

Preventive measures to use immersion rod water heaters

Follow these preventative measures to use immersion rod water heaters like a breeze.   

1. Ensure dry and moisture-free controller part   

2. Inspect the water level  

3. Don’t leave the heater unattended over time  

4. Hang the immersion rod hinge   

5. Don’t test the temperature with power on  

1. Ensure dry and moisture-free controller part

First things first: Before you put the immersion heater inside a tub or drum, make sure the controller part above the iron rods is dry and free from moisture. If you plug in the immersion heater with a wet controller, you might invite the risk of electric shock or even a short circuit. If it seems damp, soak up the excess moisture with a napkin or leave it for some time until it’s completely dry.

2. Inspect the water level

Generally, every immersion water heater rod has a mark or an indication of the maximum permitted water level. Under all conditions, never play with the limit. If the water level rises above the safety limit, it might lead to short circuits in the electric circuitry. It might also cause the drum to overheat and melt if you are using a plastic tub.

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For example, if you look closely at POLAR Immersion Rod, you will find a “Minimum” and a “Maximum” mark that marks the water level.   

3. Don’t leave the heater unattended overtime

Avoid leaving your immersion rod to heat overnight or for a prolonged time if no one is there to keep an eye on it. Even if it’s necessary to do it, it is advisable to leave the heater at the disposal of someone who knows how to operate it. If you are putting your immersion rod for heavy duties like these, make sure they are infrared heaters which have a provision to cut off heating when the temperature reaches a certain limit.   

For instance, hindware Atlantic Kweik Immersion Rod has a Dry Heat Protection technology that safeguards the appliance from catching power even if it’s left for long-time heating.

4. Hang the immersion rod hinge  

More or less, every immersion rod comes with a hinge to hang the appliance safely on the bucket or tub. Make sure you hang the immersion heater safely so that the rod doesn’t slip into the water. Additionally, before you put the power on, ensure that the rod doesn’t directly touch the tub. The immersion rod requires proper grounding, which might otherwise cause serious safety hazards like electric shock.  

5. Don’t test the temperature with power on

Never put your hands in water to test the water temperature. It’s best to avoid the risk of burns. You can either go for an immersion heater with an LED indicator or use a thermometer separately to check the water temperature. Whenever you are testing the temperature, make sure you don’t do it with the power on.   

With these safety tips in mind, enjoy the convenience of immersion water heaters without compromising safety.