We have a one and a half year old Presto Heat Dish compact parabolic heater purchased at Costco. It heats well in one direction when it's on but has a problem with the temperature control being on all the time or off and not heating. For a long time we could set it so that it pulsed or cycled on and off which saved energy and didn't overheat the person in front of it. Now after daily use this winter, the dial (potentiometer or rheostat) for the temperature control is not working properly and we can't get it set to a place where it's "just right". It's either too hot or too cold. Called Presto and they don't offer factory service. Basically act like it's disposible (which I really resent for a number of reasons including the idea of a still functional unit going to landfill). I'd like to fix it if there's a way. Suggestions? URL for similar unit: http://tinyurl.com/yplrmg
The switch inside is a thin piece of metal that flexes as it gets warmer / colder towards a pin that conducts power. This pin is rotated towards and away from the thin piece of metal as you rotate the dial counter clockwise / clockwise. The thin piece of metal glows when in use as resistance to electricity running through it causes it to heat up. You have seen this through the vent slats under the dial on the back of the unit. The resistance the thin piece of metal provides causes the electricity usage to be lower and the reason the unit has an 800w to 1500w power rating. The thin piece of metal is failing. You can have the heater FULL power but that is blowing lots of $$ in electric and you may not need all that heat. In the end the thin piece of metal will FAIL so the heater will no longer turn on at any setting. You can bypass the switch since the heating element and everything else is still in good working order and have a heater that works on 'high' all the time when that happens. You CANNOT order just a new switch, which would take anyone less than 5 minutes install. I thought the switch design was ingenious but poor quality metal even though it is a fraction of an oz in weight (since it is so small they SHOULD HAVE used better quality metal, it would have cost next to nothing extra) is most likely the culprit here. It is sad that the Presto Heatdish has to go to the landfill due to such a simple materials error. You will see how to bypass the switch though so it is on 'full and full time'. Maybe purchase a high wattage timer for it so you can set it to turn on in the evenings and mornings for a specified amount of time? Some good timers are around $7. Stan Horstman
Hey everyone, I think I got it. I took a small pair of tweezers while wearing my reading glasses and bent both sides of the metal strip so they would touch when switch was on high. then I turned it on for about 10 seconds and it looks like it soldered itself together, seems to be wroking fine we'll see if it lasts. Gary Hastings
Hey everyone I think I got it, I took small tweezers while I was wearing my reading glasses and carefully bent both sides of the metal strip so that it would touch when it was on high. then I turned it on, it heated up and soldered itself together. seems to be working fines, we'll see if it lasts. Gary Hastings
HI everyone
If u purchased a dish at Costco....just return it.They have the best return policy anywhere.They will take it back!! doesnt help u keep warm,but u get ur cash back!! Ive worked there 17 yrs.The only heat dish that comes back usually means the end of winter....it usually works
Bruce
I found the reasons for the failures on the switch. There is a thin metalic connector in the center of the switch that breaks down after some use. The thin metal strip does not solder because of the kind of metal used. However, when it gets hot enough, it seems to stick together by using its own heat and allowing to solder itself. I did so and the switch is on, this does not give you control of the temperature, but at least it turn it on. Now if I want to disconect it, I just unplug it. I read all of the described problems and it seems that this thin metal strip connecing the front end of the switch to the back is the problem.
I too am having problems with my heater. The heater will start buzzing like crazy, as if someone tipped it over. By reading these postings, I guess the only fix is to buy a new one... :-(f
D.C.
Call Larry Tenor; National PRESTO Industries 715-839-2016: or send him a message at www.gopresto.com
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I have the very same exact problem with my heater. Guess I will just by pass the switch and hope they come out with a repair switch.
Have had a unit foir about 5 years and this year my wife put it on high for several days and it started buzzing like it wa tipping over. I thought it was because our two dogs were constantly layingin front of it and it was getting too hot. If I lower it to medium or less it will work until it gets hot. Now as much as we love it I am afraid to buy another one if we can't use it any longer.
The Temperature Control on our Presto HeatDish heater failed also. The thin peice of metal completely broke. Really disappointed to hear that replacement parts are unavailable. I personnally won't be buying another one even though it did save us some money in heating costs. Do not wish to buy a new one every two years. connie
Same problem can't believe we can't buy this switch!! mine says huahot mr-15 but google dosen't reconize huahot
frak
Has any found a replacement control switch since the last post? I wrote to COSTCO to ask that they discontinue ths product and insist that PRESTO produce a solution for those who have already purchased. Otherwise the only solution is a class action.
My switch started sticking so I sprayed WD40 on it. Â Of course that didn't work so I took it apart and found the metal pop out. Â Now I don't think I can put it back together! Â How can I make it work without the rheostat? Â I don't care if it has to be on high all the time. Â I can just unplug it when not in use.
Bought three Presto Heat Dish with foot light at Costco & two of the thermostat switch burned up. Any repair parts? Will be notifing Costco.
I agree with the first post. It is a shame to toss this in the landfill because of defective (cheap?) thermostat control. After two seasons, my unit stopped working entirely. There is a small tab on the bottom thermostat contact that looks insignificant, but it is actually a fuse. It is broken on my unit. I say "broken", because it does not appear to be melted or burned...and it is designed in such a way that it has to "flex" every time you turn the knob.
A previous poster listed the thermostat manufacturer incorrectly. It is
"HUAHUI" which comes back to a Chinese switch manufacturer. I'm not even going to TRY that avenue.
I have been in one area or another of repair for my whole career. May I offer a suggestion to those folks conteplating wiring around the thermostat, operating it with pliers, etc? Please don't. It's just not worth the risk of property damage or shock.
Hopefully someone (maybe even me) will figure out how to get a replacement thermostat.
In the mean time, perhaps the best strategy is to let Presto know that when you replace the HeatDish you were once happy with, you won't buy a Presto Product.
That tiny little zig zag flimsy metal piece in the switch is broken. That's the culprit in all this? Wow.
Is it possible to saulder this back together again?
Also, no lanfill for me if I can't fix it. I'll rip it apart and put it in the recycler.
I have a 2006 version of the Presto HeatDish with a broken thermostat. When I took it apart I saw a small, thin piece of darker metal in the thermostat that is broken. I don't have a solution.
I have two such heaters, one about 8-10 years old, the other about 5
or6. The newer one is failing -- gives full heat even when turnedoff. I
contacted Presto (the reason for this reply), and got zerohelp from
customer service. They said the switch was the problemand is made in
China, and they don't service the heater. Basically, I was blown off!
Incidentally, the older heater worksjust great. I call this the
cheaping down of so many goods thesedays.
I'm presently trying to find an aftermarket replacementfor the switch,
which I think can be done. I have a differentmake convection/resistance
electric heater with the same type of switchand it works great, so the
switch cannot be witchcraft. Justneeds persistence I believe.
Dell Bean
I have two units from Costco. Â I have the same problem all described on this site - a very annoying beeping sound after about 30 minutes of use. Â The other unit is doing the same problem plus bad thermostat control, giving me heat even if it is on "off" position. Â These are technical and safety problems that you don't want to mess around.
I believe that the best solution for now (if Presto is uncooperative to fix these problems) is for Costco to stop selling this product. I am fairly sure that they are one of the biggest dealer of this product.
ben r durano - aloha, oregon
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