Electric heated propogator: tray, covered or cable?

[pg]

I'm coming to the conclusion I 'need' a heated propogator as my windowsills & greenhouse just don't get up to germinating temp at this time of year.

I'm humming and haing between a flat heated tray, like this one from TwoWests:

http://www.twowests.co.uk/product/heated-tray

or the classic covered trays with a heating element in the bottom, or a soil warming cable plus tray.

I like the idea of the flat tray as it seems versatile - can put any of your own trays or pots on, and off, in any combination.

But would welcome suggestions! Have you found your choice too small/restrictive or just right? Do tell before I spend dosh.

[pg]

[pg]

Ah, just posted before spotting other post in this forum on heated propagtors. Apologies for similar post but would welcome feedback on solid heated tray idea.

[goodlife]

solid heated trays are ok...BUT...they do waste some heat =energy. Being 'open' and having gaps between pots and trays on it lot of the generated heat just disappear into air.
But it all depends what you want it for...how much control you want with the heat...the cost of the system and how much you are willing to spend for running it.
I have 'classic' tray type heaters with lids in couple of different sizes and they are cheap to run and relatively cheap to buy..but there is not much control of the heat output. I've got thick polystyre sheet under my propagators and bubble wrap around the sides of the unit and cover...all the heat created goes straight to the actual purpose and nothing is wasted heating the shelf under the heater and the thermostat doesn't switch the unit on half as often as it would without the insulation.
Otherwise there is not great difference with heated trays and 'complete units' as the last ones can be used without a cover as well.
My larger propagator is ideal to use with quantity of different size trays and pots.
Looking at the link you posted...that one doesn't have any heat controls so it will do exactly same job as any other propagator without a lid..it just depends what you fancy and how much you want to spend for electric.

[pg]

Goodlife, some very interesting points thanks. I have much to ponder.

[chriscross1966]

Soil warming cables are a bit big for windowsills I'd have thought, plus it's a big area that all has to be heated no matter how much you actually want, my 40 foot (12m) cable heats an area of 6 foot by 3.and turns a plastic covered giant tunnel cloche thing into a massive propagator, I rarely put seeds in it, it's there once the tomato and such plants are up to act as a night-time chill reducer...... The cheap 8-11W fixed propagators are useful but don't really get warm enough for me, fine for onions but if you want to crack chilli seeds they generally like it a bit hotter.. The 40W double-tray sized thermostatic is a very good type, it'll fit on a wideish windowsill, gets plenty warm when turned up but can be turned down too. ANything is better than nothing though, especially for tender stuff