Frugal heater!

[Mallard]

Made mostly from stuff that was lying around, my poly tunnel heater!
It’s not an original idea, and I was a bit sceptical as to wither it would work!
It raised the temperature by 3ºC in an hour in the tunnel!
Three terra-cotta plant pots spaced apart on a threaded rod, sitting above a biscuit tin. It has sand in the bottom to weight it down, position the candle, and serve as retardant if the candle falls over.




A scented candle could also drive out white fly!

[perchy]

That is brilliant Mallard, and I get to eat the sweets before I can make it

[demonchilli]

Love it Mallard,do you have a link for plans?

[rubyhen]

Mallard that looks great!

Last year I put out many tea-lights in my greenhouse but that didnt work so I need something more substantial. Is it difficult to make?

Ruby

[Mallard]

Love it Mallard,do you have a link for plans?

I just improvised from:
http://www.random-good-stuff.com/2006/1 ... le-heater/

Mine doesn't have all the big washers.... yet, they would have to be bought!
I wouldn't say it was difficult to make, easy if you got most of the stuff new, but more interesting persuading people to part with bits stashed in lotty sheds!

[silverbass]

Very impressive Mallard

Any idea how it compares pricewise candles v parafin in a traditional heater?

[Mallard]

Very impressive Mallard

Any idea how it compares pricewise candles v parafin in a traditional heater?

That remains to be seen, but candle making may be on the agenda this winter!
I didn't like the idea of parrafin in a polytunnel, and I have seen the mess they make of a greenhouse when they malfunction!

[Mallard]

Run a few experiments with homemade candles, but the candle needs to be contained as the pic shows! I found a suitable container, and a frost is forecast tonight, so another test tonight!
Last night's outside minimum temperature was 2ºC, but in the tunnel 8ºC!

[jannie]

Hi Mallard..just wondering if your heater was successful in the frosts ??

[Mallard]

Done an overnight test Friday/Saturday, minus 5ºC outside, 0ºC inside. The heater was cold at 6.50 am, So the home made candle melted too quickly!
I have a 5 inch diameter, 3 wick church candle (charity shop) for when it next forecasts frost.
It may prove more expensive than paraffin Someone has offered me a single burner heater, so that may be the way to go!

[jannie]

That's a shame mallard..I really don't like the fumes from the paraffin so looking for an alternative for frosty nights, might just rely on fleece..keep us posted about the church candle though

[teddymouse]

hi
just catching up on posts,as have,nt been on much lately,i used mallards idea for this heater, i got 2 bags of 10x9 hour nitelights from asda for £3,then remved the wicks,removed one of the small metal plates of one and twisted 2 together,over lapping about 1/2",then place the new longer wick back into 2 of the candles place into a tumble glass and light,these will burn for about 16+ hours,i light my up about 4 in the afternoon,greenhouse is 16x5,it s a frost buster.

[Mallard]

I'm back with the candle heater again, after the paraffin job turned out to be a collander!
Hopefully we'll not get too many frosts this season, but I have tried it over a couple of cold nights with a measure of success!
It's a matter of getting the candle right so it doesn't drown itself; I've just obtained a large aluminium mug which should be a good size to hold the candle, and I think two wicks may be necessary.