How to Keep Warm This Winter Just by Burning One Candle!
A friend emailed me a few days ago, ((waves to G.)), 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!
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
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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
Fringe Faith
Samaritan's Stories
Great idea. I love it. I really love candles. I used to make my own, but stopped when I had children. However, it might be time to take the hobby up again, now that the boys are old enough to help me and have lots of fun in the process.
I just know, though, that I will forget the advice about not blowing out the candle at least once (possibly quite a lot more) and will end up with soot all over my face.
Samaritan
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
hahaha that*s the risk all creative people have to take and i am sure I will forget a couple times too ((laughs)), still if everyone gets a larf out of it, then it is time well worth spent, isn*t it?
I have also made my own candles, although I couldn*t get the formula right for a long time and the lye was to acidic and the resulting soap just burnt the skin and I couldn*t smell the oil at all?
. . . back to the drawing board and I am sure your boys would love to be a part of something like that. Most men I know enjoy cooking and being creative. your boys are plain lucky to have a mum to teach them the basics and will always be resourceful and never go wanting as a result. Useful to have life skills. Some horrible percentage of kids polled in Chicago city kindergarden, were unaware of where milk came from, most responded with *from the supermarket* .. . maybe they were just being smart? *cringe*
I thought this would be a brilliant idea in a power outage and a sound investment : certainly lower the electricity bill for those doing it tough this winter.
Thanks for stopping by,
Lilla ..
Love Speaks
Food Slate
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Alas when I tried to order one on line today, it did not have the facility to ship outside of the US.
I wrote to the manufacturer on their return email and asked them to expand their shipping area to include Australia and am waiting for a reply.
Knowing the global franchise markets, it shouldn*t take long for them to get here. Either that or they will be coming to a $2 shop near you, as the Chinese knockoff machine cranks up its own production?
But not I think, before the end of winter, unless you make one yourself? I*m going off to Bunnings on Friday to have a look at the cost in putting one together.
Good luck and let me know if you manage to find someone importing/selling them in Oz.
Lilla ...
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Did you get around to putting one together? I don't think I could have the patience!
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
There is an email address ont he website and I wrote to Doyle who said he would ship to Australia, but at this stage it has to be privately arranged. The cost of shipping is quite high, but gets cheaper the more you order, so perhaps a few of us could get together and make and order for three or more?
I was going to add this information to the post, for those interested, but got so busy with interstate houseguests.. you know !
Otherwise, yes it only took about half an hour for my friend to it all together ~ after he had collected all the bits and pieces. Sourcing the pots (in canberra) he said, was the hardest (most expensive) part as its all plastic these days.
Lilla
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I will most certainly check it out further.
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
You can write to Doyle in person if you want to order outside of the states, he is happy to ship one or two to you. Two are better than one as the shipping costs go down considerably: three even better if you can rustle up some interest with your friends?
Glad you liked the idea, I just thought it brilliant!!!
Lilla ..
Flick Wit
In this one post you have told us how to keep warm while making savings for the planet and wallets, given all the safety info and advice on how make art from recycled soot!
You are a wonder. I go through phases of scented candle burning so might try this, especially while freezing in the study, as the regular heating never seems to reach it anyway.
Michaelie