notams
toke down Babylon
For fuel:
I used everclear at first. Too expensive and I'd rather drink it. Had zero smell or smoke when burning. $$$
I used denatured alcohol - about the exact same results as everclear. $$
I used 71% iso alcohol. There was a slight bit of smoke and it got my caps a little 'oily' smokey looking. $
With 91% iso alcohol I get zero smoke, zero smell, zero mess on cap - much like the other options - but, this does it cheaper.$
Now on wicks:
I used degummed hemp fiber that I fashioned into a wick. Not very difficult, but not very easy either. It burned. Like consumed. Maybe I did something wrong, but I never could get it to not just get gobbled up by flame. It may not have been soaked enough. Whatever.
Cotton balls stretched into a 'wick' worked, but it wasn't a good, solid stable flame. Same thing - probably user error and not soaked thoroughly.
Best success with the most expensive option - a few bucks on Amazon for 1/4" 100% cotton. The thickness of this wick gives a solid stable flame. Plus, the wick just does not go down. I will get the wick out just the right amount, clip it to a good round top and soak it for 24 hours. I haven't had to mess with it all (except to refill alcohol) for at least 20 hours of burning (not all in a row obviously).
Other stuff:
Another key is storage. You've got to keep it covered to avoid evaporation. Keep the wick soaked and completely submerged. I try to keep mine topped of about 1/2" from the top. Works best with a clear glass lamp so you can see the level.
Before lighting turn it upside down until alcohol drips out of the wick. This should only take a brief second if the wick is properly soaked. Not doing this will burn the dried out wick.
When burning, crack the lid open a tiny bit. I don't completely understand what's happening with wicking and airflow and such. All I know is that if you don't crack the lid just a tiny bit your flame is weak and thready and goes out.
My key for perfect flame height - no flickering. If the flame is dancing, it's too high. Also, no windows open or ceiling fans.
When extinguishing I find that covering the flame to cut off air works better than blowing out the flame.
With about a $15 investment you can have a stable, reliable heat source that is not dependent on butane, batteries or electricity. I buy 6 bottles of iso from Walmart about once a year. They cost about $1 each.
I used everclear at first. Too expensive and I'd rather drink it. Had zero smell or smoke when burning. $$$
I used denatured alcohol - about the exact same results as everclear. $$
I used 71% iso alcohol. There was a slight bit of smoke and it got my caps a little 'oily' smokey looking. $
With 91% iso alcohol I get zero smoke, zero smell, zero mess on cap - much like the other options - but, this does it cheaper.$
Now on wicks:
I used degummed hemp fiber that I fashioned into a wick. Not very difficult, but not very easy either. It burned. Like consumed. Maybe I did something wrong, but I never could get it to not just get gobbled up by flame. It may not have been soaked enough. Whatever.
Cotton balls stretched into a 'wick' worked, but it wasn't a good, solid stable flame. Same thing - probably user error and not soaked thoroughly.
Best success with the most expensive option - a few bucks on Amazon for 1/4" 100% cotton. The thickness of this wick gives a solid stable flame. Plus, the wick just does not go down. I will get the wick out just the right amount, clip it to a good round top and soak it for 24 hours. I haven't had to mess with it all (except to refill alcohol) for at least 20 hours of burning (not all in a row obviously).
Other stuff:
Another key is storage. You've got to keep it covered to avoid evaporation. Keep the wick soaked and completely submerged. I try to keep mine topped of about 1/2" from the top. Works best with a clear glass lamp so you can see the level.
Before lighting turn it upside down until alcohol drips out of the wick. This should only take a brief second if the wick is properly soaked. Not doing this will burn the dried out wick.
When burning, crack the lid open a tiny bit. I don't completely understand what's happening with wicking and airflow and such. All I know is that if you don't crack the lid just a tiny bit your flame is weak and thready and goes out.
My key for perfect flame height - no flickering. If the flame is dancing, it's too high. Also, no windows open or ceiling fans.
When extinguishing I find that covering the flame to cut off air works better than blowing out the flame.
With about a $15 investment you can have a stable, reliable heat source that is not dependent on butane, batteries or electricity. I buy 6 bottles of iso from Walmart about once a year. They cost about $1 each.
.
..
While its all so novel, and ritualistic, I think I am going to stick with my flameless 21st Century
