So glad I purchased the heating pad with my starter kit. Without it, I imagine brewing would be difficult during Tassie's winter.
The mat heats quite gently and, at only 7W, won't use too much power. It may take a while to get my 8L container up to brewing temperature, and then I can play with the heat control to keep it steady.
I just wish we could lose the EU plug+AU adapter. Although it seems to be OK as it is, even a Chinese plug (upside down AU) could make it more stable in the power point.