Hi,

as a cheap option, if your not too bothered about accelerating the cooling
process (i.e. prepared to let the hotplate cool 'naturally') you can buy a
cheap hotplate (with analogue/dial type controller) and strap a process
controller onto the side of it. Add a thermocouple and solid state relay and
you have a programmable digital hotplate for around the same cost as a digital
hotplate. A collegue and I have done this in the past with good results and it
is an option well worth considering.

Best regards,

Novak

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Novak Farrington
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Manchester