“Is there standing water above the frost line when the waterer is not in use?” That’s the question to ask when determining if an automatic frost-free waterer will actually work.  If all the standing water isn’t located below your local frost line when it’s not in use, BEWARE!

The Drinking Post uses the same principals as a frost-free yard hydrant. As you probably know, the standard frost-free yard hydrant doesn’t require any insulation to operate throughout the winter – same with the Drinking Post! This is one of the distinguishing factors that sets Drinking Post apart from all other waterers on the market.

If you’re researching “non-electric waterer” online and are prompted to purchase any type of insulation for the waterer, this is your red flag that all standing water isn’t held below the frost line when the waterer is not in use.  If it were, insulation wouldn’t be necessary to prevent freezing!

Be cautious of inferior non-electric waterers and insulated copy-cats.  If you want the original, frost-free and energy-free waterer look no further.

If you’re familiar with how a frost-free yard hydrant works, then you already understand the concept of how the Drinking Post Waterer works.

If you’re not familiar with how it works, then read the following excerpt from the Wikianswers page titled “How Does a Frost Free Hydrant Work”:

“Frost-free yard hydrants are installed to provide water to various locations in the farmyard during all seasons of the year. They are manufactured and installed in such a way that they will operate throughout the winter without auxiliary heat.”

A major component of a frost-free yard hydrant is a stop-and-drain valve. This valve is located below frost level, usually 2 to 3 m below the ground surface. The valve is operated by a lever or wheel that connects to it with a control rod. The control rod opens the valve allowing water to flow from the supply line, through the valve, up the riser pipe, and finally out through the head of the hydrant.

When the valve is closed, the flow of water stops, and a drain hole in the valve opens. The water contained in the riser pipe flows out of this drain hole into a gravel bed, leaving the riser pipe completely empty and preventing ice formation.

While there are some subtle differences between how a frost-free yard hydrant and a Drinking Post operates, the underlying concept is identical. By keeping the operating valve below your local frost line we are able to provide water at 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) to your animals year round without the use of electricity, heaters, or insulation to keep your water from freezing.

If you’re in the market for an energy-free automatic waterer, the location of the valve is going to be the major differentiating factor – is the valve located above or below the frost line? There are countless manufacturers of “energy-free” waterers that employ a wide range of insulation and heating techniques to attempt to keep the water from freezing in the winter. While others will tout the thermal effectiveness of their insulation and provide alternate installation instructions for “extreme” or cold climate installs, Drinking Post is the only waterer that addresses the issue directly by simply placing the operating valve below your local frost line.  Because of this, it’s impossible for a properly installed Drinking Post to freeze. We are proud to point out that our waterer uses NO insulation because it simply is not needed… just like your yard hydrants.

To operate the Drinking Post Waterer, a thirsty animal simply presses their nose on the paddle inside the bowl and it fills with water.  When they’re done drinking and walk away, the paddle is released and all the remaining water drains away – down through the interior of the waterer and into a leach field that lies below the local frostline.