Bypass the internal rheostat by attaching the two wires at the rheostat together (or the wires going into the heat sensor (the little round shiny thing attached at the top of the dish inside)) via soldering and sealing with heat shrink tubing or use a wire nut then buy a remote digital wireless thermostat you will then plug your heater into. Amazon sells one with a remote control for a lot less than a new heater ($24.95). You simply plug the thermostat into your wall plug and plug your heater into the thermostat and wallah, no more heater problems. There are several remote non digital thermostats that use a control knob if you prefer that are available for less $$ than mentioned as well.
"thermostatic switch doesn't turn off or regulate heat" The contacts in the bi-metal thermostat are stuck together. This is near the top by the control knob. On my Presto heaters the contacts are about 1 1/4 inches below the knob and about a half inch from the back. They are visible through the horizontal air vents. I can take a thin knife blade and going through the air vent open them up. Usually there is a little blob of carbon or metal holding them together that falls out. I think the contacts are worn out but that fixes it for a month or two. Note: First couple of time I opened the units to "fix" the switch but it takes a minute to do it through the air vents.
Answers & Comments
Bypass the internal rheostat by attaching the two wires at the rheostat together (or the wires going into the heat sensor (the little round shiny thing attached at the top of the dish inside)) via soldering and sealing with heat shrink tubing or use a wire nut then buy a remote digital wireless thermostat you will then plug your heater into. Amazon sells one with a remote control for a lot less than a new heater ($24.95). You simply plug the thermostat into your wall plug and plug your heater into the thermostat and wallah, no more heater problems. There are several remote non digital thermostats that use a control knob if you prefer that are available for less $$ than mentioned as well.
"thermostatic switch doesn't turn off or regulate heat" The contacts in the bi-metal thermostat are stuck together. This is near the top by the control knob. On my Presto heaters the contacts are about 1 1/4 inches below the knob and about a half inch from the back. They are visible through the horizontal air vents. I can take a thin knife blade and going through the air vent open them up. Usually there is a little blob of carbon or metal holding them together that falls out. I think the contacts are worn out but that fixes it for a month or two. Note: First couple of time I opened the units to "fix" the switch but it takes a minute to do it through the air vents.