Maddie James
A candle heater is a cheap, eco-friendly, and sustainable way to heat a room. It is especially useful in emergencies, such as winter power outages, when other heating methods may not be available. While it won't heat an entire house, it can raise the temperature of a small room or enclosed space by a few degrees. Candle heaters are also easy and inexpensive to make, requiring only a few materials such as clay or terracotta pots, washers, bolts, and, of course, candles. The heat from the candle is trapped and radiated outward, providing a surprising amount of warmth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Less than 15 cents per day, or just pennies per day |
| Effectiveness | Can raise the room temperature by 4-5°C, or warm a small area in an emergency |
| Safety | Can be dangerous, especially if left unattended; precautions must be taken to avoid fires |
| Materials | Terra-cotta/clay pots, washers, bolts, bricks, pans, a metal stand, and candles |
| Design | Pots are nested at least two levels deep, with a candle at the center |
| Use case | Best for small spaces, emergencies, or supplemental heating |
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What You'll Learn
Use clay pots to trap and radiate heat
Clay pot heaters are a simple DIY project that can be used to distribute warmth in a small area. They are not a replacement for traditional heating systems but can be useful for providing a small amount of supplemental heat.
To build a clay pot heater, you will need two unglazed terracotta flower pots, one smaller and one larger. The smaller pot should fit inside the larger pot with some space left around it. You will also need tea light or votive candles, bricks or a metal tray, and a thermometer (optional).
Place the bricks or metal tray on a stable, fireproof surface. Insert the candles in a circular pattern on the base. The number of candles used will depend on the size of the pots and the desired amount of heat. Assemble the flower pots by placing the larger pot upside down over the candles, leaving some space between the candles and the pot for airflow. Place the smaller pot upside down inside the larger pot, creating an enclosed space where heat will accumulate.
When the candles are lit, the flame heats the air inside the smaller pot, and the heat escapes through the top hole. The clay pots trap the hot air rising from the flame, slowing its escape into the surrounding cold air and allowing the clay to heat up. As the candle burns, the interior chambers can reach relatively high temperatures, and the heat slowly builds in the clay pots. Once the heater core is warmed up, it radiates heat from the outside surface, making it easier to "feel" the heat on your skin.
It is important to exercise caution when using a clay pot heater. They can be dangerous, especially if left unattended. Ensure there is adequate ventilation in the room to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, and keep flammable materials away from the heater. Do not use scented or citronella candles, and avoid using too many candles in a tight space as the wax can melt and ignite, potentially causing a large fire.
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Use non-flammable items to support the heater
When building a candle heater, it is important to use non-flammable items to support the heater and prevent fires. Candle heaters are not very efficient and a candle flame emits a small amount of heat. Therefore, it is important to ensure that as much heat as possible is radiated out and not lost to the surroundings.
Firstly, ensure that the candle heater is placed on a non-flammable surface. This could be a large cooking pot, bricks, pans, or a metal stand. The candle heater should be placed on a flat surface to prevent it from toppling and starting a fire.
Secondly, the candle should be surrounded by non-flammable items that will act as a stand to hold the heater in place. Three large mason jars can be used, or other non-flammable items such as terracotta pots. The pots should be placed upside down above the candle to trap the hot air rising from the flame. This will slow down the heat escape and allow the heat to build up in the pots.
It is important to keep the candle heater away from any flammable items such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, and flammable decorations. Candles should never be left unattended and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations on burn time and proper use, and ensure that the candle is not burning near any flammable liquids.
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Avoid using citronella candles
While candles can be used to create a heater, it is important to avoid using citronella candles for this purpose. Here are several reasons why:
Ineffectiveness as a Mosquito Repellent
Citronella candles are often marketed as mosquito-repelling products, but they are not very effective in practice. Mosquitoes interpret their environment through multiple chemical receptors, and essential oils like citronella only block a limited number of these receptors. In contrast, EPA-approved repellents like DEET and picaridin block a much wider range of receptors, making them more effective at deterring mosquitoes.
Indoor Air Quality Concerns
Citronella candles are not clean-burning and produce a significant amount of heavy soot. If used indoors, they can cause a mess on walls and ceilings. Additionally, the combustion process of any solid material typically generates carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous even in relatively low concentrations.
Skin Irritation and Allergies
While citronella oil is generally safe for adult skin, it can cause skin allergies in certain individuals, especially young children. Skin irritation is the most common adverse effect associated with citronella products.
Pet Safety
Citronella candles are listed as poisonous to dogs by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If ingested, they can lead to severe illness or even death in pets attracted to the candle's scent.
Fire Hazards
Like all candles, citronella candles pose a fire hazard if not used carefully. Candles are a leading cause of house fires, and the risk increases when using citronella candles as heaters, as the setup may involve multiple candles burning in close proximity.
In summary, while citronella candles may be appealing for their scent or mosquito-repelling claims, they are not suitable for creating a safe and effective candle heater. It is advisable to opt for alternative candle options or follow specific safety guidelines when using any candles for heating purposes.
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Insulate a small room or closet
While candles are not very powerful as a heat source compared to electric heaters, they can be used to introduce a little more heat into a room. In an emergency situation, candles can be used to capture and radiate heat into a small area.
To insulate a small room or closet, start by lining the walls with couch cushions, blankets, cardboard, foam, plastic, or bedding materials. These items will trap heat inside the room. If you have an emergency reflective blanket, you can use it to reflect heat back into the room. Depending on the number of people in the room, body heat alone may be enough to keep the room at a tolerable temperature.
Once the room is insulated, you can use a candle to help heat the space. A terracotta clay pot radiator can be built to capture the heat generated by a candle, which would otherwise be wasted, and slowly build it up inside a makeshift radiator. This involves placing a couple of bricks to elevate a terracotta pot, putting a few tea light candles under the pot, and lighting the candles. The heat from the candles will be trapped inside the pot and radiated outwards.
It is important to note that candle heaters have limitations when it comes to heating larger or poorly insulated spaces, and they may not be suitable for individuals with respiratory issues due to the release of soot and other by-products. Always prioritise safety measures and ensure adequate ventilation when using candle heaters.
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Use multiple candles for more heat
Using multiple candles for more heat is a good idea, but it is important to be cautious. While candles are a cheap and eco-friendly way to heat a small space, they are a leading cause of house fires.
To increase the heat, you could use a larger candle, or multiple candles. If you are using multiple candles, you will need to ensure that they are not placed too close together, as the paraffin wax will melt and become a fire hazard.
One option for using multiple candles is to create a heater with several levels of clay pots, separated by washers and bolts. This will allow you to place a candle under each pot, increasing the heat. The clay pots will trap the hot air rising from the flame, slowing its escape into the surrounding cold air, and allowing the clay to heat up.
Another option is to create a heater with multiple layers of metal surrounding a candle. For example, you could use a coffee tin with a smaller tin containing the candle inside. The larger tin will heat up and radiate warmth, and you can add ventilation holes to the smaller tin to provide oxygen to the flame.
It is important to remember that candle heaters are not suitable for heating large spaces or entire houses. They are best used in small, enclosed areas, and should never be left unattended or burning while you sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
You can turn a candle into a heater by using clay or terracotta pots, bolts, washers, and nuts. The heater body is formed by nesting clay pots, often separated by and attached to a central steel bolt. The bolt has additional steel washers in the spaces between the pots to form a basic heat exchanger. The pots trap the hot air rising from the flame, slowing down heat escape and allowing the clay to heat up.
To set up a candle heater, you should first ensure that it is placed in a small, enclosed space. You can then surround the candle with three large mason jars or non-flammable items to act as a stand. Place the pots upside down above the candle, and the setup will begin to feel warm to the touch within a few minutes.
Candle heaters are a cheap, eco-friendly, and sustainable way to heat a small space. They can increase the temperature in a room by 4-5°C, which can save money on central heating. However, they are not suitable for heating large spaces or entire homes.
