I do the oil lamps OFTEN - just for fun. If I have about 8-10 of them going, you can def feel the change in warmth of the room. Prob not enough for survival, but I seriously bet it raised the room temp 4 degrees. I have done much experimenting with it. If you have questions, I can troubleshoot for you if you ask. FYI, the earliest version of these oil lamps are simply a lighted wick laying in a seashell filled with a saturated/animal fat (i.e. it really doesn’t have to be complicated) His problem with his wick here lasting only 10 min, is that his wick is too far away from the top of his oil. It won’t wick up more than about 1”.
Without seeing the video yet, I'm amazed how many people fall for the candle thing. Anyone wanting to know if these will keep you warm in winter only has to do a simple google search for how many BTU's a candle puts out vs the size of the room. The best thing people can do for emergency heat is a kerosene heater. It doesn't take electricity and can be used indoors. It's easy to store 20 gallons of kerosene and you can also cook off the top of it.
I fell for it and wasn't impressed. I've tried to tell people the terracotta pot heater doesn't work, but people tell me it works for them, but I was left in the cold. Maybe because the video I watched used only one tea candle. All I figured it to be good for was banking heat in the terracotta to put inside a sleeping bag. I like the idea of keeping a beverage warm on it.
@airvicemarshalsirgeorgemas2083 preferred, not needed. I'm in North Georgia and a large number rof people here, including my wife's nana grew up on it. It gives off a smell when first started up. Start it on the back porch and bring it in when it's fully hot, takes about 8 minutes. After that, it's all good. We went to using it instead of gas heat about 8 years ago. Last year we spent a total of about 250 dollars in gas station kerosene while houses around is using gas were spending that much each month. The low oder home Depot kerosene is just refined gas station kerosene that has been run through filters. If we really wanted to, I could run it through a high grade fuel filter and clean it up. It's not an issue if you start it outside first. The main reasons to use them is because you are not heating every room, it saves money.
@mrs8792 that's literally what this video is pointing out. Plan now. Of you are relying on Crisco to save you when the power goes out, you deserve what happens. None of these small burners or candles will do what is needed. That's kind of the point. BTW, a half a gallon of kerosene will heat most normal size houses above freezing in about an hour. Been using them for at least 8 years. If you don't have kerosene, but some now while it is available and inexpensive. Don't waste your time with candles and food burners. Or go ahead and waste your money one about 1000 candles and enjoy the heat your house gives off as it burns to the ground.
We in Europe have heard 3 warnings in the past month from top NATO personnel to have a back up plan in case of emergency.. Now in the past few days I have really started looking into this since the situation in Ukraine seems to be deteriorating., especially in the last days. Never thought I'd started prepping.
I bought a "Vesta" stove/heater that works with chaffing dish heaters. It will hold up to 3 cans and has a fan powered by a Peltier junction. The Vesta has a grate to heat food and the heater top with fan and radiator. The radiator is a set of aluminum plates, like a vertical heat sink that the chaffing heaters warm up. The fan blows cool air through the radiator, warming the room. The chaffing cans are safely inside the lower grill box which has a drawer that is pulled out to access the cans. Chaffing cans are clean burning - they don't have a smell, like kerosene. I use LED lights for light.
For a small chicken coop, I place a clay pot upside down atop two solid bricks and then, in the evening, place a 10-hour hand warmer inside the pot. Luckily, the temperature does not hit the extremes here in the Southeast. None of the chickens have complained of being too cold yet.
It might not be a sustainable source of heat in an STHF situation, but I think that's quite clever and safe for the birdies! Good idea for those of us lucky ones living in mild climates.
Uniheat packs max at 100 f and come in many different hour packs. For my lizards I have 40&72 hour packs. They're not too expensive either and have a few years shelf life.
For the crisco please note they are now not fully tin so please move to a mason jar or fully tin jar or you will have a fire hazard if it burns too long. Also, if no windows open (if for warmth likely not open) and small area think of carbon monoxide general rule is burn candles 4 hours and take a break, etc, have carbon monoxide detector. If you get tired, headache not feeling good you are getting signs of carbon monoxide posioning. Stay safe.
FLOWER POT... use a medium size 3 wick candle. You can place coins on top, as shown in this video, and place a pizza pan on top to increase radiant heat.
Thank you! I have seen so many casual preppers, DIYers, and Ole Timey Tech Bros post endlessly about terracotta heaters. They always make it out like they can save someone caught without heat, power, SHTF etc. I have tried to explain to them that they are not a good solution in so many ways. I find them to be more of a fire hazard than anything. And adding to the already precarious nature they have, would be the desperation of the person needing emergency heating. Just a bad thing all around. Thanks for making this video.
For the paint can heater, I strongly recommend placing on top of a cookie sheet or cake pan on a level surface. It will help contain any spillage if your heater tips over. I recommend making these in advance. Fill with a toilet paper roll and alcohol, and then put the lid on to seal it. Then duct-tape a paint can opener and a disposable cigarette lighter to it. You will have everything kitted in advance to get it going.
Ive made the alcohol toilet paper heater and used a metal bucket to put it in before lighting it works better in my opinion as the bucket will get hot and radiates heat and its a lot safer this way you just have to make sure you can still put something directly on top of the can to smother the fire I suppose you could cover the bucket but that would take longer to burn the oxygen off and put it out. 😊
Hi, The Benghazi burner or Benghazi cooker used by the British Army was a simple and fast method of cooking up food or drink. At a pinch we also used a bit of cordite to get a mug of water boiling! Cheers mate. Harera
I converted the large size UCO candleholder lantern into an alcohol burning heater🔥 I use 190 Proof Everclear alcohol in it. This UCO alchohol heater produces a surprising amount of heat for it's size ! The burning alcohol creates non-toxic fumes and is much cleaner burning than candle wax🕯 My UCO alchohol heater (4 of these) and a FILSON brand wool blanket keep me warm in a car or small house room when the electrical power shut off during a winter storm ❄
As far as the paint/coffee can heater is concerned...I use one to heat my shed. I use a circular piece of inswool to cover the top of the TP and it keeps the paper from burning when the alcohol gets low. I've used carbon felt before, too. I also set the can in a clay pot full of sand. It prevents tipping and radiates some heat. In my experience, Isopropyl alcohol is not the best fuel choice. Ethanol is safer and cleaner, but I prefer methanol because it's cheap and burns well. Some people shy away from it because it's toxic in liquid form. On another note, you can take a tiki torch canister and fill it with alcohol instead and it essentially makes a long lasting chafing fuel can.
Excellent information. I never heard of the alcohol can heater. I would only use that if I had no other alternative, but I always have those items on hand anyway so this was great. I have used the chafing cans before for parties, etc. so that was a good reminder to buy some more to keep on hand. Thanks so much.
When I was a boy scout, we made indoors fire when the weather was too nasty. We did it much like the toilet paper thing, but in an old cooking pot filled with coarse salt and alcohol. I realise the risk factor but hey, it was another time then😅
Great choices if all one can do when improvising. I had a few simple tea candles going last night when the power was out north of Seattle for a bit of light to prevent tripping - perfectly adequate for this use. I had the Buddy propane heater ready to go when needed, but thankfully the power came back on after only 4 hours and the house hadn't cooled off enough to warrant firing it up. A UST 30 Day Duro Lantern is a 100% safe choice for light, which is what I used for the main occupied area for lighting last night. They're quite reasonably priced IMO. I'm totally satisfied with the one I've had for several years A single or dual mantle propane lantern is a good dual source - heat and light, in a relatively safe package. For hot water, a simple 1 burner propane stove, or butane cartridge stove, or a propane/isobutane cartridge backpacking stove does the job exceptionally well.
I've seen those zen videos and others. I bought copper strips and bent to a 7 shape to go over the flame and deep in sand. I tested a bit, one crisco candle with a taper in it. Omg the soot dripping off the copper had me throw those away. I read it may have been the wick. I now have one inch wicks threaded through a chunk of stainless scrubber and filled with cooking oil. I have to try that. I bought soy tapers to use in the crisco candles but not sure if it was the candle or crisco that caused the soot. The bowl and sand got warm in 45 minutes. I am sure it would have been much better left longer I also love the 1704 heater, look that up, Robert Murray smith. For lighting look at the video for the forever wick olive oil candles. I plan to make those, lots of them since olive oil burns hotter, copper wire and pipe is used along with a bit of lantern oil dropped on the wick to prime. Cooking oils don't catch on fire and if knocked over, goes right out. But that 1704 heater seems amazing, the parts cost more but worth it.
Thanks for your 'experiments' and explaining the safety issues with each set up. I have each type you described but wondered about the numbers of btu's for each. God bless you and your family.
Or invest in Mr. Buddy heaters ( several) so you can keep your water pipes from freezing and one Mr.Buddy heater for keeping you warm and a kerosene heaters and fuel for everything
I can't bring propane in the apartment but I can burn candles, alcohol burners or oil candles under copper strips in sand. I do have a butane camping stove to sneak and use but not really safe to use indoors. I also made sure to have uniheat packs for my lizards, they max at 100f and come in long hours. I have 40&72 hour packs. These are helpful for humans too. I threw some in the winter emergency bags I made for my sons'cars. I also have three eight hour tea lights in a frisky tin. Those are in bags, two each and a bag of clean sand to go in a tomato sauce can , the frisky cans on the sand and light for a small portable fire pit. Fleece blankets with a mylar emergency blanket. Each item that helps is never worthless. It's like saying don't clip coupons to save 25 cents at the grocery store, just go to a warehouse store buy in bulk and never clip coupons again.
Heat went out 2 yrs ago. We hung blanket over door to kitchen allowing ventilation. Someone gave us a box of scrap candles. Ran lag bolt withe alternating washers and nuts down middle of pot. Candles were placed in bread pan. For our living room it kept it quite comfortable. Not perfect but better than nothing.
I have used one fuel cans with the foldable camping stove either it is the Coleman’s or other brand and I was able to boil water rather quickly & cook or fry food efficiently. And relatively safe. The foldable cooking stove is small & costs roughly $10 & folds to keep easily stored in a kitchen draw or with other pots. I used it on a metal table but it can be used on the glass stove top & be safe
** I wanted to share a great long lasting & SAFE LIGHT SOURCE I stumbled upon last winter. The battery powered single bulb candles that I place on every window sill each Christmas. It takes TWO DOUBLE AA batteries and LASTED MORE THAN 2 MONTHS** AND gave an excellent amount of light that you can take with you on trips to the bathroom or give it to your kids by their bed and they can get up and move around safely. It was crazy how long that light remained bright, safe & easily moved around. Pick up as many candles as you need from the Dollar Tree and get a bunch of AA batteries and you will have a safe light source the entire winter season. I have a special needs son and they are perfect for allowing him to navigate our home when the power goes out, which unfortunately that happens quite often where we live. Try it & as Kris always says "Stay Safe Out There!"
I'm curious about those chafing heaters. How safe would they be to carry in a vehicle? I was thinking about making a crisco burner as emergency heat for in the car (like if we got stuck somewhere) but am concerned about them melting. I wonder if the chafing heater would be a better option? For at home we just have a big kerosene heater stored in the shed along with a kerosene supply. It will keep us warm and keep the pipes from freezing.
Robert Murray smith 1704 heater is what we all need to make for something actually throwing heat out. For light the forever wick olive oil candles are number two to make. I am making buddy burners in normal size veggie cans. They will go under a stainless steel utensils holders for cooking inside a roasting can full of sand to make too heavy to move easily. I made oil and crisco candles by threading one inch wicks through chunks of stainless steel scrubbers. Those will go in a stainless steel bowl of sand buried almost to the top. These are in 1/2 pint canning jars and depending on the size of the bowl depend on how many oil candles can go in it. I bought scrap copper strips the I bent into a 7 shape. One will go over each oil candle, deep in the sand. The flame heats the copper,bthat heats the sand to radiate out. If the cooking oil lamps get knocked over, the flame dies and the oil doesn't catch on fire that's why the cooking oil candles are best and olive oil burns the hottest. And you must use multiple tea lights for cooking or heat, any less than three is a waste of that tea light. If you use a brick over the flame, use fire bricks if possible. As a reptile owner, I learned never to boil or bake rocks and boulders as the pockets of air can cause them to explode.
Under what conditions? An incandescent build uses 10 percent of electricity for light and 90 percent is turned into heat. Going by that, a 60 watt bulb puts air about 54 watts of heat. In general you need 20 watts per square foot to heat a room, meaning you need about 2000 watts to heat that 10x10. Sure it will add some heat, but unless it's super insulated, in which case you probably are not worrying about heating anyways, it will leak out the heat faster than you can keep it in the room.
@ Well this is an oil lamp so can’t really compare to electricity. I think it’s 2500 BTU/hr to produce that light. It’ll definitely raise the temp of a small room. By how much I can’t say. I’ve never measured. Enough to keep you from freezing, that’s for sure.
I used 2 cheap table top oil lamps with k-1 kerosene in a 20x10 tent I was living in for 8 years. I fully insulated it with Reflectix (double thick bubble wrap foil insulation) I taped thick clear plastic over the windows.My tent was literally warmer than most people's homes. The only downside was shutting off the lamps if I had to go out (for safety).
Or candles. I save all wax, I take the bits left in tea lights. Got some old holiday candles, break them up and mix with unscented wax flakes to melt. You lessen the smell and put it to use. Get beeswax or soy if possible. I just filled four buddy burners today. I am aiming for 50 in normal veggie can size. I also plan to buy some low wattage seedlings heating pads to use with the 600 watt power bank. No kids, cats stay away from the candles, though buddy burners burn much hotter than a single flame candle but I am confident they will stay away from those too.
I personally use 6 kerosene lanterns with clean burning kerosene and if I close off my living room and my kitchen that will warm up my house within an hour at least 2° to 3° and I continue to burn them for more than an hour it will raise it up almost 5°
Good ideas. Kerosene heaters are also extremely safe as long as you have carbon monoxide detector is also. I have several that I bought for very low prices on eBay and wickd are easily available. There are also British Kelly kettles that are easy to use for heating water Etc
Coffee can heater is suspiciously similar to a boat stove. Basically the same thing except it’s square with a pot holder and the internals are made out of ceramic insulation instead of toilet paper. So the safer way to make this would be to just use a piece of ceramic insulation. I am curious if rock wool would work however.
Did you consider putting another terracotta pot, turned upside down on top of the coins (to create an air space) and then a further coin over the hole on the upper pot to force the warm air back down ? No good as a stove but a much more efficient use of the heat source
I have grilled outside over charcoal in sub zero temperatures. The steak ended up being rare. I'll be fine if I stay upwind from the smoke. I don't have things that I have to really cook either, like steak and other things. I'll sacrifice them if there's no way to cook them. I have plenty of no cook food. Besides, if it's that cold out, I can put my food in a cooler outside and it won't thaw. The cooler is to protect from animals helping themselves. I've also winter camped. My cat will be my hot water bottle. Nice video, but I hope people use or get some common sense. My apartment neighbors don't seem to have any. It would be much worse if your home, even an apartment is a home, burns down. Then everyone will be instantly homeless including you. Think before you light things on fire.
I'm glad people are getting away from the clay pot heater myth. It never worked to heat a room but yet was spread like wild fire....even from the big guys...
Very informative. Now I`m wondering about the toilet paper can heater inside the terra cotta pot without the cooktop attachment. Does that address the unruly flame issue. Enquiring minds wanna know..... lol
I tried a kerosene heater,worked great but goes through fuel like crazy,even on low setting.Many of us simply can't afford that much fuel.Seniors,disabled and those without cars have a hard time getting kerosene or carrying the heavy bottles of k-1 kerosene.
It looks like the coffee can heater could be great for establishing a rising draft in a fireplace on a frigid day. Do they sell empty paint cans? If you want some oil lamps to provide heat and light, better get them now. You can get inexpensive ones at Walmart or online that will do just as good as more costly one. Don't forget the lamp oil. Kerosene and the cheap lamp oils stink and could give you a headache, so you might need to crack a window. If you have a general stove or fireplace that pulls its air from the house, the fumes will be drawn into the fireplace and out. Fires are great for getting rid of smoke or stench in the house, but will make your furnace work harder. That's not a problem during a blackout. You can find tutorials on how to power a gas furnace with a battery generator or other generator.
Sand batteries and TEG wood stove fan generators are better. Better use of crisco as a candle as well, better than eating it. Steel bucket, copper strips, candle, sand and TEG fan.
I believe you didnt do the flower pot heater a proper test - it works a lot better then what you show - and generally its 2 within one another with a base - would like to see you re do that particular one - and a votive bees wax candle - I generally get 12 to 14 hrs of burn time with them - mine are 2.5 inches tall
BUT-- Don't wait until it's all gone South to start thinking about emergency heating/cooking options! Save up/invest in kerosene or propane heaters, and learn how to use them safely. "Make hay while the sun shines"
Lighting should be a solved problem, esp. modern day, energy efficient, LED lamps. However, heating during the winter (also low solar power) is a problem. I'm wondering how well those electric heating jackets work. (Also, need a gas generator and a battery as part of one's supplies.)
Good Find! I used to have a good kerosene heater back in the 80's. Husband's clumsy buddy knocked it over & broke it. 🍀 it wasn't burning at the time, but I was SO mad. Prep tip: Never let Drunks in your house when your kids are home. Accidents are likely to happen.😮
@ unfortunately yes.. I would be more than happy to do that but how do I access the form when I can't get to the website?. I did try to email the members address but did not receive a reply. Perhaps I had the wrong email address?? i've been checking for access daily. Please advise. Thank you.
The flower pot heater is not bad idea but the most known design is essentially wrong. You must use a second, larger flower pot on the top of it, to make it layered like a tile stove so it can store the heat better.
Several washers are placed between both pots with a long bolt going through washers on top of both with more washers underneath and a nut. @@emeraldsea8754
💯 I screw cages to the floor or wall,or both,so they don't move at all if bumped into by a big dog or kids playing. Keep whatever you are burning in the middle of the cage.People more concerned with appearances than safety. Don't worry what the house looks like if you have to use cages.Safety is much more important
Thanks for the demonstrations. All of these show none are useful as heaters. Sterno/gelled alcohol was created to keep hot/cooked food warm by warming trays of water below the hot food tray evenly so the food doesn't burn.. It isn't made to cook, let alone heat a room. If you break down the cost/btu/useful time, they are all expensive ways to create little heat. Also an expensive danger to your home. Invest in propane (20/30/40/100 pound tanks) and a blue flame heater like those by Mr Heater. Portable, propane lasts until you need it. No electricity needed for the blue flame heater. They have legs for sturdy floor standing, or fasten to a wall. Safer than cans of burning alcohol or candles.
To learn more, visit cityprepping.com/heaters ... Download the Extreme Weather Survival Guide: cityprepping.tv/3P3skQH - start your preparedness journey: cityprepping.tv/3lbc0P9
I do the oil lamps OFTEN - just for fun.
If I have about 8-10 of them going, you can def feel the change in warmth of the room. Prob not enough for survival, but I seriously bet it raised the room temp 4 degrees.
I have done much experimenting with it. If you have questions, I can troubleshoot for you if you ask. FYI, the earliest version of these oil lamps are simply a lighted wick laying in a seashell filled with a saturated/animal fat (i.e. it really doesn’t have to be complicated)
His problem with his wick here lasting only 10 min, is that his wick is too far away from the top of his oil. It won’t wick up more than about 1”.
Here in switzerland, we just make ourselves a cheese fondue on our "rechaud", accompanied by a glass of wine and a kirsch (cherry brandy). 😂
Without seeing the video yet, I'm amazed how many people fall for the candle thing. Anyone wanting to know if these will keep you warm in winter only has to do a simple google search for how many BTU's a candle puts out vs the size of the room. The best thing people can do for emergency heat is a kerosene heater. It doesn't take electricity and can be used indoors. It's easy to store 20 gallons of kerosene and you can also cook off the top of it.
Low odour kerosene needed
I fell for it and wasn't impressed. I've tried to tell people the terracotta pot heater doesn't work, but people tell me it works for them, but I was left in the cold. Maybe because the video I watched used only one tea candle.
All I figured it to be good for was banking heat in the terracotta to put inside a sleeping bag. I like the idea of keeping a beverage warm on it.
And if you don’t have kerosine?? Everyone has oil or crisco.
@airvicemarshalsirgeorgemas2083 preferred, not needed. I'm in North Georgia and a large number rof people here, including my wife's nana grew up on it. It gives off a smell when first started up. Start it on the back porch and bring it in when it's fully hot, takes about 8 minutes. After that, it's all good. We went to using it instead of gas heat about 8 years ago. Last year we spent a total of about 250 dollars in gas station kerosene while houses around is using gas were spending that much each month. The low oder home Depot kerosene is just refined gas station kerosene that has been run through filters. If we really wanted to, I could run it through a high grade fuel filter and clean it up. It's not an issue if you start it outside first. The main reasons to use them is because you are not heating every room, it saves money.
@mrs8792 that's literally what this video is pointing out. Plan now. Of you are relying on Crisco to save you when the power goes out, you deserve what happens. None of these small burners or candles will do what is needed. That's kind of the point. BTW, a half a gallon of kerosene will heat most normal size houses above freezing in about an hour. Been using them for at least 8 years. If you don't have kerosene, but some now while it is available and inexpensive. Don't waste your time with candles and food burners. Or go ahead and waste your money one about 1000 candles and enjoy the heat your house gives off as it burns to the ground.
Alcohol flames usually invisible. Adding some table salt before lighting will make the flames [safely] visible.
I didn’t know that, thank you.
Thanks for the tip!
We in Europe have heard 3 warnings in the past month from top NATO personnel to have a back up plan in case of emergency.. Now in the past few days I have really started looking into this since the situation in Ukraine seems to be deteriorating., especially in the last days.
Never thought I'd started prepping.
No worries you all going to join the army, they will teach you everything.
Specifically, how to survive in Siberia at - 30C...
I bought a "Vesta" stove/heater that works with chaffing dish heaters. It will hold up to 3 cans and has a fan powered by a Peltier junction. The Vesta has a grate to heat food and the heater top with fan and radiator. The radiator is a set of aluminum plates, like a vertical heat sink that the chaffing heaters warm up. The fan blows cool air through the radiator, warming the room. The chaffing cans are safely inside the lower grill box which has a drawer that is pulled out to access the cans. Chaffing cans are clean burning - they don't have a smell, like kerosene.
I use LED lights for light.
For a small chicken coop, I place a clay pot upside down atop two solid bricks and then, in the evening, place a 10-hour hand warmer inside the pot. Luckily, the temperature does not hit the extremes here in the Southeast. None of the chickens have complained of being too cold yet.
It might not be a sustainable source of heat in an STHF situation, but I think that's quite clever and safe for the birdies! Good idea for those of us lucky ones living in mild climates.
Uniheat packs max at 100 f and come in many different hour packs. For my lizards I have 40&72 hour packs. They're not too expensive either and have a few years shelf life.
For the crisco please note they are now not fully tin so please move to a mason jar or fully tin jar or you will have a fire hazard if it burns too long.
Also, if no windows open (if for warmth likely not open) and small area think of carbon monoxide general rule is burn candles 4 hours and take a break, etc, have carbon monoxide detector. If you get tired, headache not feeling good you are getting signs of carbon monoxide posioning. Stay safe.
Those chafing fuel cans are fantastic. I use them in my “hobo” stove as an alternative to my propane burner. Handy information, thanks Kris!
FLOWER POT... use a medium size 3 wick candle.
You can place coins on top, as shown in this video, and place a pizza pan on top to increase radiant heat.
Thank you! I have seen so many casual preppers, DIYers, and Ole Timey Tech Bros post endlessly about terracotta heaters. They always make it out like they can save someone caught without heat, power, SHTF etc. I have tried to explain to them that they are not a good solution in so many ways. I find them to be more of a fire hazard than anything. And adding to the already precarious nature they have, would be the desperation of the person needing emergency heating. Just a bad thing all around. Thanks for making this video.
For the paint can heater, I strongly recommend placing on top of a cookie sheet or cake pan on a level surface. It will help contain any spillage if your heater tips over.
I recommend making these in advance. Fill with a toilet paper roll and alcohol, and then put the lid on to seal it. Then duct-tape a paint can opener and a disposable cigarette lighter to it. You will have everything kitted in advance to get it going.
Ive made the alcohol toilet paper heater and used a metal bucket to put it in before lighting it works better in my opinion as the bucket will get hot and radiates heat and its a lot safer this way you just have to make sure you can still put something directly on top of the can to smother the fire I suppose you could cover the bucket but that would take longer to burn the oxygen off and put it out. 😊
Hi, The Benghazi burner or Benghazi cooker used by the British Army was a simple and fast method of cooking up food or drink. At a pinch we also used a bit of cordite to get a mug of water boiling! Cheers mate. Harera
I converted the large size UCO candleholder lantern into an alcohol burning heater🔥
I use 190 Proof Everclear alcohol in it.
This UCO alchohol heater produces a surprising amount of heat for it's size !
The burning alcohol creates non-toxic fumes and is much cleaner burning than candle wax🕯
My UCO alchohol heater (4 of these) and a FILSON brand wool blanket keep me warm in a car or small house room when the electrical power shut off during a winter storm ❄
As far as the paint/coffee can heater is concerned...I use one to heat my shed. I use a circular piece of inswool to cover the top of the TP and it keeps the paper from burning when the alcohol gets low. I've used carbon felt before, too. I also set the can in a clay pot full of sand. It prevents tipping and radiates some heat. In my experience, Isopropyl alcohol is not the best fuel choice. Ethanol is safer and cleaner, but I prefer methanol because it's cheap and burns well. Some people shy away from it because it's toxic in liquid form.
On another note, you can take a tiki torch canister and fill it with alcohol instead and it essentially makes a long lasting chafing fuel can.
Always happy to see the “how to” videos! Knowledge is always the greatest weapon and self help for any scenario in life!! Thanks Chris!! 👍
We just found a one burner stove ( brand new) at a second hand store) for 6.00 dollars
Thats one hell of a damn good deal haha
Very Nice!
Score!
This is the kind of video that I want to see. Good information. Thank you.
A coffee can heater will heat a standard deer blind (4x4x6) to a very comfortable temp. if the windows can be closed.
Excellent information. I never heard of the alcohol can heater. I would only use that if I had no other alternative, but I always have those items on hand anyway so this was great. I have used the chafing cans before for parties, etc. so that was a good reminder to buy some more to keep on hand. Thanks so much.
Yeah. Carbon felt works better that TP but is harder to get. Methylated spirits in the 200 proof variety burns cleanest.
When I was a boy scout, we made indoors fire when the weather was too nasty. We did it much like the toilet paper thing, but in an old cooking pot filled with coarse salt and alcohol. I realise the risk factor but hey, it was another time then😅
Great choices if all one can do when improvising. I had a few simple tea candles going last night when the power was out north of Seattle for a bit of light to prevent tripping - perfectly adequate for this use. I had the Buddy propane heater ready to go when needed, but thankfully the power came back on after only 4 hours and the house hadn't cooled off enough to warrant firing it up. A UST 30 Day Duro Lantern is a 100% safe choice for light, which is what I used for the main occupied area for lighting last night. They're quite reasonably priced IMO. I'm totally satisfied with the one I've had for several years A single or dual mantle propane lantern is a good dual source - heat and light, in a relatively safe package. For hot water, a simple 1 burner propane stove, or butane cartridge stove, or a propane/isobutane cartridge backpacking stove does the job exceptionally well.
I would be interested in what you think of the metal bucket-copper ring-sand-candle solution for heating.
I've seen those zen videos and others. I bought copper strips and bent to a 7 shape to go over the flame and deep in sand. I tested a bit, one crisco candle with a taper in it. Omg the soot dripping off the copper had me throw those away. I read it may have been the wick. I now have one inch wicks threaded through a chunk of stainless scrubber and filled with cooking oil. I have to try that. I bought soy tapers to use in the crisco candles but not sure if it was the candle or crisco that caused the soot.
The bowl and sand got warm in 45 minutes. I am sure it would have been much better left longer
I also love the 1704 heater, look that up, Robert Murray smith.
For lighting look at the video for the forever wick olive oil candles. I plan to make those, lots of them since olive oil burns hotter, copper wire and pipe is used along with a bit of lantern oil dropped on the wick to prime. Cooking oils don't catch on fire and if knocked over, goes right out.
But that 1704 heater seems amazing, the parts cost more but worth it.
@@lunarminx Thank you! That was really helpful 🙂
Thanks for your 'experiments' and explaining the safety issues with each set up. I have each type you described but wondered about the numbers of btu's for each. God bless you and your family.
Or invest in Mr. Buddy heaters ( several) so you can keep your water pipes from freezing and one Mr.Buddy heater for keeping you warm and a kerosene heaters and fuel for everything
I can't bring propane in the apartment but I can burn candles, alcohol burners or oil candles under copper strips in sand.
I do have a butane camping stove to sneak and use but not really safe to use indoors.
I also made sure to have uniheat packs for my lizards, they max at 100f and come in long hours. I have 40&72 hour packs. These are helpful for humans too. I threw some in the winter emergency bags I made for my sons'cars. I also have three eight hour tea lights in a frisky tin. Those are in bags, two each and a bag of clean sand to go in a tomato sauce can , the frisky cans on the sand and light for a small portable fire pit. Fleece blankets with a mylar emergency blanket. Each item that helps is never worthless.
It's like saying don't clip coupons to save 25 cents at the grocery store, just go to a warehouse store buy in bulk and never clip coupons again.
@lunarminx My butane one burner stove is very safe inside unless you got cats or dogs are out of control
You have fantastic counter tops!
Glad you like them!
With the flower pot heater you can utilize a heat powered fan to improve the heated area
One burner stove for cooking drinks and food and extra fuel
Heat went out 2 yrs ago. We hung blanket over door to kitchen allowing ventilation. Someone gave us a box of scrap candles. Ran lag bolt withe alternating washers and nuts down middle of pot. Candles were placed in bread pan. For our living room it kept it quite comfortable. Not perfect but better than nothing.
I have used one fuel cans with the foldable camping stove either it is the Coleman’s or other brand and I was able to boil water rather quickly & cook or fry food efficiently. And relatively safe. The foldable cooking stove is small & costs roughly $10 & folds to keep easily stored in a kitchen draw or with other pots. I used it on a metal table but it can be used on the glass stove top & be safe
Buy a tent and cover it with lightweight comforters. This is better than sleeping in an open room with no heat.
** I wanted to share a great long lasting & SAFE LIGHT SOURCE I stumbled upon last winter. The battery powered single bulb candles that I place on every window sill each Christmas. It takes TWO DOUBLE AA batteries and LASTED MORE THAN 2 MONTHS** AND gave an excellent amount of light that you can take with you on trips to the bathroom or give it to your kids by their bed and they can get up and move around safely. It was crazy how long that light remained bright, safe & easily moved around. Pick up as many candles as you need from the Dollar Tree and get a bunch of AA batteries and you will have a safe light source the entire winter season. I have a special needs son and they are perfect for allowing him to navigate our home when the power goes out, which unfortunately that happens quite often where we live. Try it & as Kris always says "Stay Safe Out There!"
Good video, thanks for sharing, YAH bless !
I'm curious about those chafing heaters. How safe would they be to carry in a vehicle? I was thinking about making a crisco burner as emergency heat for in the car (like if we got stuck somewhere) but am concerned about them melting. I wonder if the chafing heater would be a better option? For at home we just have a big kerosene heater stored in the shed along with a kerosene supply. It will keep us warm and keep the pipes from freezing.
Yeah! Real prepping video and not prognostication!
Robert Murray smith 1704 heater is what we all need to make for something actually throwing heat out. For light the forever wick olive oil candles are number two to make.
I am making buddy burners in normal size veggie cans. They will go under a stainless steel utensils holders for cooking inside a roasting can full of sand to make too heavy to move easily.
I made oil and crisco candles by threading one inch wicks through chunks of stainless steel scrubbers. Those will go in a stainless steel bowl of sand buried almost to the top. These are in 1/2 pint canning jars and depending on the size of the bowl depend on how many oil candles can go in it. I bought scrap copper strips the I bent into a 7 shape. One will go over each oil candle, deep in the sand. The flame heats the copper,bthat heats the sand to radiate out. If the cooking oil lamps get knocked over, the flame dies and the oil doesn't catch on fire that's why the cooking oil candles are best and olive oil burns the hottest.
And you must use multiple tea lights for cooking or heat, any less than three is a waste of that tea light. If you use a brick over the flame, use fire bricks if possible. As a reptile owner, I learned never to boil or bake rocks and boulders as the pockets of air can cause them to explode.
@@lunarminx I never heard of the sand and copper thing. Will you make a video of it?
This is great!
Aladdin (brand) lamp. As bright as a 60 watt light bulb and will easily heat a 10x10 room.
Under what conditions? An incandescent build uses 10 percent of electricity for light and 90 percent is turned into heat. Going by that, a 60 watt bulb puts air about 54 watts of heat. In general you need 20 watts per square foot to heat a room, meaning you need about 2000 watts to heat that 10x10. Sure it will add some heat, but unless it's super insulated, in which case you probably are not worrying about heating anyways, it will leak out the heat faster than you can keep it in the room.
@ Well this is an oil lamp so can’t really compare to electricity. I think it’s 2500 BTU/hr to produce that light. It’ll definitely raise the temp of a small room. By how much I can’t say. I’ve never measured. Enough to keep you from freezing, that’s for sure.
I used 2 cheap table top oil lamps with k-1 kerosene in a 20x10 tent I was living in for 8 years. I fully insulated it with Reflectix (double thick bubble wrap foil insulation) I taped thick clear plastic over the windows.My tent was literally warmer than most people's homes. The only downside was shutting off the lamps if I had to go out (for safety).
@ An incandescent light takes a lot less energy to make light than an oil lamp with a mantle does.
Thank you.
Very interesting, thank you.
Brilliant video again mate.
for more heat with crisco...use 3 wicks
Good afternoon from Syracuse NY brother and there are different types of oil lamps and make sure you have plenty of ventilation
Thank you for doing this research for us ☺️ ❤
Yep. Never throw away old oil or crayons.
Or candles. I save all wax, I take the bits left in tea lights. Got some old holiday candles, break them up and mix with unscented wax flakes to melt. You lessen the smell and put it to use. Get beeswax or soy if possible. I just filled four buddy burners today. I am aiming for 50 in normal veggie can size.
I also plan to buy some low wattage seedlings heating pads to use with the 600 watt power bank.
No kids, cats stay away from the candles, though buddy burners burn much hotter than a single flame candle but I am confident they will stay away from those too.
great show as always, Thank you
Great ideas. I would have never thought of these.
I have seen a video of a flower pot explode and shards fly through the air.
I personally use 6 kerosene lanterns with clean burning kerosene and if I close off my living room and my kitchen that will warm up my house within an hour at least 2° to 3° and I continue to burn them for more than an hour it will raise it up almost 5°
Use a paint can from lowes instead of the flower pot with the chafing fuel and you have a winner.
Hi chris, you should check out the heater bloc alcohol burner. Very safe method to burn alcohol indoors.
Thank you! 👍
Good ideas. Kerosene heaters are also extremely safe as long as you have carbon monoxide detector is also. I have several that I bought for very low prices on eBay and wickd are easily available. There are also British Kelly kettles that are easy to use for heating water Etc
Coffee can heater is suspiciously similar to a boat stove. Basically the same thing except it’s square with a pot holder and the internals are made out of ceramic insulation instead of toilet paper. So the safer way to make this would be to just use a piece of ceramic insulation. I am curious if rock wool would work however.
Good information
Thanks Kris this was helpful.
Did you consider putting another terracotta pot, turned upside down on top of the coins (to create an air space) and then a further coin over the hole on the upper pot to force the warm air back down ?
No good as a stove but a much more efficient use of the heat source
Thanks
I have grilled outside over charcoal in sub zero temperatures. The steak ended up being rare. I'll be fine if I stay upwind from the smoke. I don't have things that I have to really cook either, like steak and other things. I'll sacrifice them if there's no way to cook them. I have plenty of no cook food. Besides, if it's that cold out, I can put my food in a cooler outside and it won't thaw. The cooler is to protect from animals helping themselves.
I've also winter camped. My cat will be my hot water bottle. Nice video, but I hope people use or get some common sense. My apartment neighbors don't seem to have any. It would be much worse if your home, even an apartment is a home, burns down. Then everyone will be instantly homeless including you. Think before you light things on fire.
I'm glad people are getting away from the clay pot heater myth. It never worked to heat a room but yet was spread like wild fire....even from the big guys...
Very informative. Now I`m wondering about the toilet paper can heater inside the terra cotta pot without the cooktop attachment. Does that address the unruly flame issue. Enquiring minds wanna know..... lol
Interesting
Useful info 👍 I like science-y stuff, too.
I have a suggestion about reviewing an article I read about sterilizing water from prions using UV rays
I tried a kerosene heater,worked great but goes through fuel like crazy,even on low setting.Many of us simply can't afford that much fuel.Seniors,disabled and those without cars have a hard time getting kerosene or carrying the heavy bottles of k-1 kerosene.
Could the tp and alcohol work inside of the pottery to rediate the heat and be a little safer? Or would the pottery break?
Thanks God bless 👍❤🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
It looks like the coffee can heater could be great for establishing a rising draft in a fireplace on a frigid day. Do they sell empty paint cans? If you want some oil lamps to provide heat and light, better get them now. You can get inexpensive ones at Walmart or online that will do just as good as more costly one. Don't forget the lamp oil. Kerosene and the cheap lamp oils stink and could give you a headache, so you might need to crack a window. If you have a general stove or fireplace that pulls its air from the house, the fumes will be drawn into the fireplace and out. Fires are great for getting rid of smoke or stench in the house, but will make your furnace work harder. That's not a problem during a blackout. You can find tutorials on how to power a gas furnace with a battery generator or other generator.
a propane Mr Buddy Heater is one of the safest heaters to use. Just follow the instructions carefully.
Sand batteries and TEG wood stove fan generators are better. Better use of crisco as a candle as well, better than eating it. Steel bucket, copper strips, candle, sand and TEG fan.
You’ll get more light out of Crisco & a candle if it’s in a glass mason jar.
I wonder if you could put the alcohol coffee can into a terra cotta pot - for safety and the clay would hold the heat as well.
I believe you didnt do the flower pot heater a proper test - it works a lot better then what you show - and generally its 2 within one another with a base - would like to see you re do that particular one - and a votive bees wax candle - I generally get 12 to 14 hrs of burn time with them - mine are 2.5 inches tall
BUT-- Don't wait until it's all gone South to start thinking about emergency heating/cooking options! Save up/invest in kerosene or propane heaters, and learn how to use them safely.
"Make hay while the sun shines"
Lighting should be a solved problem, esp. modern day, energy efficient, LED lamps. However, heating during the winter (also low solar power) is a problem. I'm wondering how well those electric heating jackets work. (Also, need a gas generator and a battery as part of one's supplies.)
I got a kerosene heater at a garage sale last year for 15$ it was maby used 2 times. Still looks new
Good Find! I used to have a good kerosene heater back in the 80's. Husband's clumsy buddy knocked it over & broke it. 🍀 it wasn't burning at the time, but I was SO mad. Prep tip: Never let Drunks in your house when your kids are home. Accidents are likely to happen.😮
Where can I purchase the attachment for chaffing fuel please?
Hello Kris, checking in... still unable to access the website. Any update? Is there a better way to communicate about this issue?
Really? Go to our contact page form and email our team
@ unfortunately yes.. I would be more than happy to do that but how do I access the form when I can't get to the website?. I did try to email the members address but did not receive a reply. Perhaps I had the wrong email address?? i've been checking for access daily. Please advise. Thank you.
Hello @cityprepping...any update? I'm very eager to get back on the site. 🙂
Could you potentially make a smaller version of the "paint can heater" by using a cat food can?
Ever made a hobo stove? The one with rollup cardboard and melted wax in a tuna can? Same idea.
🌻
The flower pot heater is not bad idea but the most known design is essentially wrong. You must use a second, larger flower pot on the top of it, to make it layered like a tile stove so it can store the heat better.
Is there anything between the 2 pots to create an airspace or do you just put a larger one right on top of the smaller one?
I regularly used a couple to keep my greenhouse from freezing in the winter. Works quite well
Several washers are placed between both pots with a long bolt going through washers on top of both with more washers underneath and a nut. @@emeraldsea8754
👍🏻
Everyone's so fast!
use your settings on the video to adjust the playback speed.
@@jhannon9495 I meant "Everyone is fast to post comments." I didn't expect to be first. 😅
@@JustaFanBoy Oh, my bad ! 😊
Where I find these useful is in a vehicle.
no. Most of what he is showing you the fumes will cause health problems because of toxic candle wax fumes and toxic flammable liquid chemicals.
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Make sure your cat doesn't knock any thing over starting a fire
💯 I screw cages to the floor or wall,or both,so they don't move at all if bumped into by a big dog or kids playing. Keep whatever you are burning in the middle of the cage.People more concerned with appearances than safety. Don't worry what the house looks like if you have to use cages.Safety is much more important
Good luck with that
Cats
Are the Clarion of satan, mostly.
This may be the Last 📆 Normal Year. 🇨🇦
165° minimum for protein cooking
200 proof alcohol burns cleanest.
I use 190 Proof Everclear alcohol in my home made heater because it is readily available in most of my local stores🔥
@@unitedstatesirie7431 I wonder if flavored booze has a good scent when burned?
Why does the room smell like burned bannana's???
Shit's heating up, guys it’s looking wild out here.
Could you try this with charcoal pre-soaked in lighter fluid?
Charcoal is not recommended as it gives off toxic fumes (like death toxic) in enclosed spaces. Never use charcoal indoors or inside a tent.
14th, 20 November 2024
Thanks for the demonstrations. All of these show none are useful as heaters. Sterno/gelled alcohol was created to keep hot/cooked food warm by warming trays of water below the hot food tray evenly so the food doesn't burn.. It isn't made to cook, let alone heat a room. If you break down the cost/btu/useful time, they are all expensive ways to create little heat. Also an expensive danger to your home. Invest in propane (20/30/40/100 pound tanks) and a blue flame heater like those by Mr Heater. Portable, propane lasts until you need it. No electricity needed for the blue flame heater. They have legs for sturdy floor standing, or fasten to a wall. Safer than cans of burning alcohol or candles.
Nice!