My application here requires the heating element to shut off after a while of idleness..And I need to initially adjust that time. I know I need a timer but I need a system which detects inactivity in the circuit. Something very similar to a cloth iron auto off feature.

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

 

I am not using any microprocessor or controller.!

 

define "inactivity" as it relates to your circuit...

 

inactivity meaning the heating element is kept on for a long time. or maybe if the temperature setting hasnt been changed in a while. actually just a 30 min timer would also be fine. would something like this work...
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~herniter/Data_Sheets/MC1455.pdf

 

You could definitely use that device or anything in the 555 timer family. Look for monostable operation in the data sheet.

 

30 minutes is kind of a long time for a 555 timer. Capacitor leakage will cause problems.