The short answer
Yes, that is how K&H built them. There is no on or off switch, and the thermostat runs the element only when it is needed. The one rule is that the element must stay fully under water whenever it is plugged in, so keep the tank topped up and unplug it before you drain the tank. Use a grounded outdoor outlet with GFCI protection.
We keep this on hand, so it's ready to go. In-stock orders can ship as soon as the same day, and depending on where you are, your parcel can arrive in as little as 1 to 2 business days once it's on the road. Pickup in Millet, Alberta is free, and shipping is free on orders over $199.99 to most addresses.
K&H says not to: MET requires the statement "Do not use with extension cord" on each item it lists. Plan the waterer around a fixed outlet. The bucket and tank units have 1.7 m cords, and the Perfect Bucket Heater has 145 cm.
First check the cord and housing for damage, and replace the unit if you find any. Then look at the circuit: heated waterers should be on GFCI protection, and 1500 watts is most of a 15-amp circuit, so it should not share with much else.
Running dry can ruin it. K&H says the element must be fully under water whenever it is plugged in, so keep the level up and unplug the unit before you dump or move a pail.
Put it in a bucket of cold water on a mild day and confirm it comes on when the water is cold and off when it is not. Replace any unit with a cracked housing or damaged cord.
Yes, for a pail, bowl or poultry fount. The K&H Universal Waterer De-icer heats from below, with a sealed bottom and a thermal cut-off, so nothing electrical goes in the water.
Close by? Pipestone Farm Supply is in Millet, Alberta, less than 15 minutes from Leduc and Wetaskiwin and less than 30 minutes from south Edmonton. See drive times from your area.
Updated November 5, 2026 by Pipestone Farm Supply, Millet, Alberta.
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