I am posting this here not because it has anything to do with electronics, but it has something t...

[G+_George Kozi]

I am posting this here not because it has anything to do with electronics, but it has something to do with the inquisitive mind and practical problem solving.

 

I built this thing for myself, and I'm kinda proud of it. This is geekery... just a more domestic kind of geekery...

 

Originally shared by George Kozi

 

DIY candle heater. Take two.

 

After using my self made contraption for a couple of days, I have now reached some conclusions. As you can see, I modified  the design a bit. It is more simple and better looking.

 

The whole apparatus consists of:

 

1 tagine dish (see your friendly moroccan neighbourhood shop)

1 metal candle holder (dollar shop)

Some sand (follow the cat, it will lead you to some)

 

The lid is now hold up by a metal candle holder. On to op the candle holder I put some folded aluminium foil. That way the tagine lid rests better on the candle holder. The base of the candle holder in buried in sand, wich makes it very secure. That thing won't topple even if you want it to.

 

Conclusion: This thing works. The lid becomes so hot after 5 minutes that you can't put your hand on it. It stays that way for as long as the candles burn.

 

How much heat it gives: well a lot... enough to make you start to strip off some clothing, which may be a good or a bad thing depending on who does it.

 

The caveat: yep, there is one. Imagine the heat that this thing gives off as a sphere with a radius of 1 to 1.5 meters around the device. Farther that that, you don't feel it. So it works, but you have to have it near you. Put it on the coffee table, or near the computer. It will heat you up.

 

I just bought a package of 100 four hour candles for 2.89 eur. If I use 6 per day, they will last more that two weeks. I'd say that is good value.

 

Bonus: That lid has a little depression in the knob you are meant to hold. That depression is perfect for a little bit of water and a few drops of aromatic oils. As the lid becomes hot, the oils will make your room smell like jasmine :D

[G+_John Woo]

nice

[G+_Stephina Waldon]

I may try this. THANKS!

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Combine that with one of these heat powered fans and you've got a great heater.  Amish country does have it's uses!

https://www.lehmans.com/p-1308-deluxe-heat-powered-stove-fans.aspx?show=all

[G+_Paul Simard]

Especially useful during nighttime power outages in autumn and winter.

[G+_Daniel Armstrong]

A standard tea light candle is 12 grams, so 100 is 1.2kg. Since paraffin wax is  41.5 Megajoules per kilogram non-condensing, you have just under 50 Megajoules total, which converts to about 47k BTU.

 

Translation: He spent 2.89 Euros/ $3.68 for the same amount of heat as 50 cents worth of natural gas.