Thursday, December 24, 2009

Keep Warm With One Candle

I came across this a while ago, and forgot about it, but it would be handy information at this time of year. Especially for those low on propane when boondocking.

It seems that it would be easy to make with parts from Wal-Mart, etc.  I think that I will make a couple in case the power goes out when it’s cold.   Though our power usually goes out when it is hot!!
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How to Keep Warm This Winter Just by Burning One Candle!

http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheeter1.jpg
“A friend emailed me a few days ago, busy with industry as he built himself a heater of such revolutionary (but not new) proportions, that the Envirowarrior became excited and felt compelled to pass this marvel on, to all who would see and hear, and venture forward to save energy and money. All who would stay warmer this winter for the simple cost of a few candles. . (?)
Not possible you say, well guess again, as this ingenious invention is so simple a child can built one and a couple of these will set you up as warm as toast this winter, for about $5 per week!
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheeter12.jpg
The Kandleheeter as it is known, is an amazingly simple radiator which takes the small flame of a candle (or light bulb) and turns it into a heater that will grace the interior of any 21st century home - which you may correctly say - looks just like a bunch of upside down flower pots? And you would be right. You may also comment on how easy it would be to make one of them at home yourself. . . and you would be right there too, and in luck, because the guys at www.heatstick.com are so keen for you to get off the electricity grid, they have posted the step by step instructions for you to do just that (use the link below).
See the Promo movie
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheeter22.jpg
The Technical stuff goes something like this : Steel has the ability to approach the temperature of its heat source, so the Steel Inner Core is driven to Very High Temperatures of around 500-550 deg. Fahrenheit, by the burning candle flame which converts it into a very hot Internal Radiator.
The intense heat of the Steel Inner Core is transferred into the Three Ceramic Modulators (or pots), one into the other. The High Inner Temperatures are gradually reduced by the Increasingly Thicker Walls and Larger Surface Area of the modulators (outer pots).
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheeterdiagram.jpg
The outer surface of the radiator itself becomes a Dry Heat Radiating Body with surface temperatures of 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit which covers an area of over 88 Square Inches (double that for cms).
Whilst the manufacturers claim that one of these will not heat up a room entirely, they say it will add to the heat in the room significantly, which is brilliant if you are burning fragrant scented candles anyway! However, if you have a couple of these burning in one room, you will find that it would significantly warm the ambient room temperature for the cost of a couple candles, otherwise wasted (for me that means saving incense money too, double bonus!)
You’ll find all you need to know on How to Make a Kandleheeter but a word (or two) of caution here too, if you are making one yourself. Take note that the head of the bolt is visible in the photo and would be a serious burn issue. It is covered by a ceramic cap in the finished (bought) unit. The cap is attached with high temperature cement. So you will need to consider this if you have small children, who should be asked to treat this as they would any naked flame or heater.
Also too you are asked to always make sure it is on a firm flat surface away from any drapes or soft furnishings. You will find all the things you need to know on the website.
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheeter-stand1.jpg
It makes sense too, to remember that this thing is radiating heat so the candle will eventually melt unless you put it into a glass container, or better still get one of those oil burners with a wick.
To make the stand yourself : See the movie on how to fold it properly.
For those of you who want to mail order you can BUY ONE NOW for $29.95 (US Only) Please note: that the first time you use your kandleheeter it will not radiate much heat as it takes about eight hours to *dry out* the terracotta pots properly.
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kanheatlight1.jpg
You will see that there are electric versions available which means you can turn your ambient lamps/ lighting into thermal heaters all around your room, without all the soot!
On that note, if using candles, the manufacturers also advise that the Kandleheeter COLLECTS SOOT!
http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/kandleheetersooty1.jpg
They say : Soot associated with burning a candle is trapped in the layers of the radiator (which is better than on the ceiling) which it does brilliantly, but that soot has to be cleaned out. You could rinse it out with water, but then the radiator will need a 6-8 hour burn to be dried out again. So a better deal is to brush it out with a small pastry or paint brush, or vacuum it out. Easy done. DO NOT BLOW IT OUT WITH YOUR BREATH *Giggle* OR YOUR FACE WILL BE INSTANTLY BLACKENED AND YOU COULD EASILY GET SOOT INTO YOUR EYES.
The photo is of a Radiator that had been burning many evenings over several weeks. It shows a "light dusting" of soot and does not need to be cleaned. Better candles produce less soot. Check your radiator weekly to get an idea of how quickly soot is building up.
You are advised Not Allow Soot to Build Up Inside the Radiator Assembly!
Note to artists : You will be glad to know Soot is "lampblack," a pigment used in painting. You can collect the soot and make a superb black by mixing it into a small amount of Linseed Oil.
A final word from my friend on making your own: Using slightly bigger pots does generate more heat. “
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It stormed like the dickens last night, with high winds that displaced tree branches and anything that wasn’t lashed down.
Then the sun came out and warmed everything up, so that the cats could spend some time on the porch, and I could open some windows and air out the house.  Then this evening it got colder again.  With below freezing forecast for the next few nights, Ray came over and turned off that stiff cut-off to the outside faucets, and helped me cover a couple of bushes out front. 

The wind howling around makes everything seem colder today.

2 comments:

Rick said...

Merry Christmas, Penny, hope you have a great holiday!

KarenInTheWoods said...

M*E*R*R*Y C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S