Community Chat

[Kachina624]

Here's an idea if your electricity should go off this winter.  My parents used a terracotta smaller pot over a burner on their propane stove in their RV when they were camping without electricity.   Huge savings on propane and they said it really radiates the heat.

[SactoSue]

I'm a bit confused. 

The photo shows a lit candle with bricks on either side and a dry terra cotta pot over the top of it.

You describe a terra cotta pot over a lit burner on a propane stove.  

Do both of them give off enough radiant heat to warm up a room?  I ask because I don't have propane, but electric stove and oven and I like the idea of using up my excess candles this way as an Emergency Warmup.

[BirkiLady]

I'm confused, too. @SactoSue asked a great question; not sure I'd ever "use up my candles", but I am curious.

[Kachina624]

@BirkiLady.  With no gas stove, I'd use the candle (or two) like the pictures shows.  You need a flame.  You could also use this like a fire pit outside.

Yes, it would heat a room.

[Kachina624]

Here are a few more.

[LTT1]

@Kachina624 

Cool!

oops! No

I mean...

Hot!

[RedTop]

A tomato juice can with a bit of sand in the bottom and a wax candle (on a safe surface) will also put out some heat in a small space.  My trucker daughter always carried one in her semi in case she needed it.  She knew to leave a crack in her window for ventilation.

[september]

This looks cool,  but in my last home as well as my present one, I've had gas fireplaces that can heat a nice sized area of the home in case of a power outage. 

[Snowpuppy]

You can also search for the term Hobo Stove.

I have similar candle holders from Libbey Glass and 20hr emergency votives. I have a few large metal coffee cans vented in the top with a punch can opener. Works well to heat water, canned soup, etc. in a 1/2 qt pot.

The old skool coffee cans are not nearly as heavy as a terracotta pot. They don't shatter, either.

[Kachina624]

@Snowpuppy.  Terracotta absorbs and radiates heat.