Heating Waste Tank

[Cracker]

I'm seeking information on how to heat the grey water tanks on a commercial mobile kitchen unit. It's not an Airstream so the tank is simply located under the floor with its' bottom flush with the bottom of the chassis frames. The first logical step would be to enclose the bottom of the tank, simply framing down with, say 3", steel channels and then constructing a galvanized sheet metal belly pan. There's adequate ground clearance to permit this. Subsequently the belly pan could be insulated. It's at that point I'm wondering how to heat the tank and the discharge connection. Remember, this is a grey water tank only and it will be dumped (---to a "blue tank") at least every other day - or sooner. Temperatures here frequently drop below "0" so the problem is significant. The 40 gal fresh water tank is above the floor and the unit will be heated 24/7.

Other solutions involve spotting a "winter" grey tank inside - although that's costly in terms of floor space and it would probably involve pumping the waste from the sink sumps to the tank. The average rate of discharge is probably less than 20 gallons per day - so the daily removal of a portable tank would not be out of the question. There are no sewer connections at the site where this unit will work during the winter and fresh water is replaced via portable tanks when needed.

I would certainly appreciate any creative ideas.

[memgrove2000]

look into these: Ultra Heat, Inc. - Tank Heaters . They may just have what you are looking for.

[maintguy62]

I would put some non toxic antifreeze in the tank. The fresh water tank would need heat.

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by memgrove2000

look into these: Ultra Heat, Inc. - Tank Heaters . They may just have what you are looking for.

I checked the website and it looks promising! Has anyone actually used one of their heaters for a "first-hand" report? The 110 v model would be all that is required since when the unit travels the grey tank would be empty.

[memgrove2000]

The boss of a friend of mine has his Big 5er all decked out with them and loves them. He heats all the tanks. I wish I could be more help than that, but we just go waterless in freezing temps. I know this would be hard for you to do.