Food dehydrator to heat rats?

Has anyone tried a food dehydrator to heat rats? One of my BP's will only eat prey that's been heated with a blow drier. I was thinking a food dehydrator might be an easy way to accomplish the same thing. Air would circulate at 160 degrees. I think holes could be cut in the racks to make space for the rat(s). What do you think?

A strip of flexwatt with a glass plate on it to conduct the heat, and lay out the rats? Would probably cost you around $5 as opposed to $100 or so for a food dehydrator

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=140625

I explain and show pics of my rodent " hotbox" at the link above.

The food dehydrator seem like a lot of trouble to go to. My hair dryer works just fine.

A food dehydrator would likely be great. The one I have can be set lower close to 110 at the lower settings that is close to body temp for rats. I use mine for my food I don't think I would want to after heating rats in it but if you have an old one kicking around I see no reason why not to use it.

Try it. If it doesnt work youll at least have some new jerky

Just thinking about the dehydrator makes me wince...the odor would probably be pretty mighty, lol.

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Originally Posted by snake lab

If it doesnt work youll at least have some new jerky

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Mmmmmmm! Tastey rat jerky! :rofl:

I simply have the frozen rat in a ziplock baggie and run hot tap water very slowly over it (bag in a large glass) for 30 mins or so. Never had an issue feeding.

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Originally Posted by AGoldReptiles

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=140625

I explain and show pics of my rodent " hotbox" at the link above.

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Yes, I might end up building one of those. Nice pic!

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

A food dehydrator would likely be great. The one I have can be set lower close to 110 at the lower settings that is close to body temp for rats. I use mine for my food I don't think I would want to after heating rats in it but if you have an old one kicking around I see no reason why not to use it.

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I've been looking for a used one. I could get one from Amazon for about $30. Seems like it might work. I was hoping someone's alredy tried.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Just thinking about the dehydrator makes me wince...the odor would probably be pretty mighty, lol.

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I agree. I'd run it outside if I get one.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Mmmmmmm! Tastey rat jerky! :rofl:

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Yum! :hungry:

If you don't have one I'd likely try some of the other methods I just use a hair dryer from the thrift shop.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Mmmmmmm! Tastey rat jerky! :rofl:

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:puke2:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

If you don't have one I'd likely try some of the other methods I just use a hair dryer from the thrift shop.

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Yeah, I'll probably just stick with what I already do... Hot water & blow dryer. Just always looking for a better way. Some day, when I have more snakes, I'll need something better....

I think a hot box is the answer for mid number and hot water for large numbers but I only have 11. I dethaw in the fridge. I warm them up under a sheet of plexiglas on a human heating pad for 20 min and hair dry the heads a touch. It works for me.

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Originally Posted by piedplus

Yes, I might end up building one of those. Nice pic!

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Same here. Very good idea. Warming a dozen rats with a hair dryer takes a while.

Yes, I'm thinking hot box, but a little different. I've got an old glass cage with a sticky heat mat on the bottom and a screened top. I could get a utility light for the top and maybe a small fan. That would make good use of things I already have. Anyone tried something like that?