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The No-frost Box
Photography by Jeff Frazier

After leaving his warm bed to carry water to horses on sub-freezing nights, Bob Hensler used his ingenuity to solve the problem.

A hydrant supplies water to Hensler’s barn, but sub-freezing temperatures had rendered it useless several times, requiring Hensler to trudge outside.

So he designed and built a no-frost box to protect the watering system. The box surrounds the hydrant, a coiled utility hose, and all the PVC connectors leading to the buried PVC.

And he hasn’t carried water since.


Bob Hensler’s no-frost box is essentially an insulated wooden box with various doors, view holes, access panels, and a 60-watt light bulb.


Hensler allowed himself convenient access to the box’s interior by creating a wide opening.


The light bulb turns on automatically at sundown and generates enough heat to keep the temperature inside the box above 32 degrees.


A peephole makes it easy for Hensler to peek in and check on the box to make sure it’s functioning correctly.

FURTHER READING

Read more in the Current issue of Out here magazine .
The No-frost Box
Caleb Spencer
Moving the barn
November 2009 Recipes
Touring the Lodge Cookware Foundry
Tulip Iris Folding
$5 Dinner Recipes
Barn Again
B&R Farms Barn
Take Care of Your Cattle’s Hooves