[livinonfaith]

When using regular heating pads under some of my germinating seed pots, I use cheap baking racks over the pads. (the wire rack you put cookies and cakes on to cool) The ones I found hold the pots just above the surface of the pad so that it doesn't actually touch.

The pots are also in a drip tray so that I can water them without fear of getting the pad wet. (pad is unplugged during watering, just in case there is a spill)

As I recall, a meat thermometer stuck down into the soil measured about 80 degrees in the pots in the center of the pad. The pots on the edge were a touch cooler. I do remember that the one I put directly on the pad to test it was WAY too hot.

When I bought them, they had the baking racks at the dollar store. I think there were 2 in a pack. Definitely worth it if you are trying to give heat loving seeds a little jump start without cooking them!