Thursday, February 19, 2009

Alcohol Burning Emergency Heater

This small heater is inexpensive and easy to make. It will heat one room for 7 to 8 hours. You can also use it while camping, for heat, light, or a stove. This is what you need.

1 New Quart size paint can (from local paint store)
1 roll of toilet paper
1 pint rubbing alcohol

First remove cardboard center from roll and then squeeze toilet paper into can. Next pour pint of Alcohol in.
Light with match and you have heat! The alcohol will burn, not the paper.
When finished with heater blow out flame and cover with lid. Seal tightly with mallet, alcohol will evaporate. Tape a penny and a match on top for easy use next time. Once alcohol has been used up simply pour more alcohol in and reuse. I have been told that toilet paper does not need to be replaced. You will know when your alcohol is running low because the flame will be smaller and the toilet paper will yellow slightly at the top.
To store heater for an emergency place the toilet paper inside can but leave the alcohol in the bottle until needed. This will give it longer shelf life with less chance of alcohol evaporating. If use in the car or small room crack a window slightly. Of course use with caution!

1 comment:

Sarah said...

thanks for posting this amber! i'm going to send an email to my mom and sisters so they can see this and use it as a step-by-step tutorial, hope that's okay.