What cheap thermostat do you recommend?

[kitedemon]

All my racks have the probe on the top underneath of the middle drawer in each rack. I use a router to make the channel and then cover it with clear packing tape. My stat always sits on 89 and every tub sits at 89 to 90 in the back of the tubs. I have never had nor seen 11 inch flexwatt burn or melt anything. Now if your using smaller flexwatt that has to work too hard on inadequate setups then i could see stuff happening.

Now I am confused didn't you were you not questioning why someone would place a probe in direct contact with the heat tape and not IN the tub???