I built a box out of scrap wood, painted inside white, hang the two flour. lights over it, and cover all with towels. The waste heat of the lights warms the entire box to ~75º-ish. Zero problems.

Dan

Hydrofarm heat mats are what I use. Years old and never a failure.

Hydrofarm is the one I had. Maybe I just got unlucky. :(

I use Hydrofarm mats too but there are many other brands available.

Check out the Growing from Seed forum here for many discussions on the different brands and sources for mat and for other discussions for alternative heat sources too - everything from top of the fridge or TV to electric blankets. Personally, I'd stick with the right tool for the job. ;)

Soil heating cables are another option.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed Forum

lantanascape, do you know anyone who is handy with electrical stuff? I'll bet it's just a broken wire, that they could fix pretty easily. The problem is finding the break. If it's embedded in the mat, you're done for.

My method is primitive, but works well in our heat. I place my seedlings in dirt, or any starting medium on top of a large 12x12 red concrete piece, it basically soaks up the sun and holds a nice temperature all day.

I have mine on a wire rack that is 4 inches above a heating vent in the floor. It is the first time I have tried germinating this way, but it is working well for me.

Thanks for the ideas. The mat got tossed long ago. The cord had no reason to be broken, so I'm sure it was a wire in the mat that fried.

Putting them close to a floor heat vent is out, due to having pets in the house.

I suppose I will have to just suck it up and buy a new mat, which is OK, if the failure of my last one was an isolated incident, and not indicative of the general quality of the product.

I have some starting on a low cooling rack that is sitting on top of my cable box. I used the rack so I wouldn't fry the box by blocking it's air circulation. The cats & dogs haven't bothered them at all.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tales of a Transplanted Gardener