My husband and I made these for our emergency storage. We were so glad we had them when we experienced a severe windstorm. It was winter, very cold, and our power was out for several days. These little "heaters" were such a blessing. If you buy the small paint cans, they come with a paint can lid so you can seal them, and you can reseal them when you are finished for later use. We taped a quarter on the bottom of the paint cans to open the lid. Perfect! If you have children, you CANNOT leave these unattended ever. Obviously, care needs to be taken to light them in a very open space without any curtains near or anything else that could ignite. They need to be extinguished before you go to bed, of course. Some of the comments here reflect unnecessary fears. They are very safe to use indoors.
GaryFebruary 20, 2021
The flash point of isopropyl alcohol or any alcohol is so low that in my opinion this is a very dangerous use of the product. Your fire department and homeowners insurance would probably never approve of this.
RonFebruary 19, 2021
Any flame that glows yellow is evidence of incomplete combustion resulting in carbon monoxide creation. As evidence, place the blade of a metal table knife in the flame for a few seconds and remove it. Note the unburned carbon deposited on the blade as black soot. With complete combustion, the flame is be quite a bit less bright and will form carbon dioxide. Just be safe!
EdFebruary 19, 2021
PLEASE no lit liquid fuel in any open spillable container. THINK, THINK, THINK.
Angelle LordFebruary 18, 2021
Appreciate this, Joni! We are Louisianians and know all about hurricane prep but this Feb 2021 arctic weather is new. We need some skills!
Joni HiltonFebruary 18, 2021
I’d like to add that it’s always smart to make sure you are in a large, ventilated room with any flame. Although it’s a tiny amount, any flame can create carbon monoxide.
Joni HiltonFebruary 18, 2021
This heater will burn for over an hour. It is safe in a home, but like any flame uses oxygen so I wouldn’t use it in a small tent, for example. It does not create carbon monoxide at all. And it should be placed on flameproof surface, such as tile, stone, brick, or metal.
WayneFebruary 18, 2021
This heater should NEVER be used indoors! Carbon monoxide is an odorless killer and families are dying in Texas because they are using open flame heaters indoors. There is nothing worse that going to sleep and never waking up.
Linda BrownFebruary 18, 2021
How long will this burn?
CASFebruary 18, 2021
Since this method of heating uses oxygen in the room, it's important to point out that this heater must have proper ventilation from the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning as one tries to provide heat inside.
PeggyFebruary 18, 2021
Thank you Joni for sharing this. How long would one TP roll last as the wick? How often would you refill the alcohol? I'm trying to figure out how much to purchase. I noticed that you have a granite countertop. I don't. What other surfaces would you recommend putting the can on to prevent burning?
Myrna LiddellFebruary 18, 2021
Remember the surface under the alcohol heater needs to be protected. Joni shows her heater being lit on a granite? Surface
Formica might not be so forgiving?
Doug YoungFebruary 18, 2021
Won't the flame produce carbon monoxide? Will it be safe to use indoors?
JeanFebruary 18, 2021
Thank you for the tip on the diy heater. How long would that last.
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Maryann TaylorFebruary 22, 2021
My husband and I made these for our emergency storage. We were so glad we had them when we experienced a severe windstorm. It was winter, very cold, and our power was out for several days. These little "heaters" were such a blessing. If you buy the small paint cans, they come with a paint can lid so you can seal them, and you can reseal them when you are finished for later use. We taped a quarter on the bottom of the paint cans to open the lid. Perfect! If you have children, you CANNOT leave these unattended ever. Obviously, care needs to be taken to light them in a very open space without any curtains near or anything else that could ignite. They need to be extinguished before you go to bed, of course. Some of the comments here reflect unnecessary fears. They are very safe to use indoors.
GaryFebruary 20, 2021
The flash point of isopropyl alcohol or any alcohol is so low that in my opinion this is a very dangerous use of the product. Your fire department and homeowners insurance would probably never approve of this.
RonFebruary 19, 2021
Any flame that glows yellow is evidence of incomplete combustion resulting in carbon monoxide creation. As evidence, place the blade of a metal table knife in the flame for a few seconds and remove it. Note the unburned carbon deposited on the blade as black soot. With complete combustion, the flame is be quite a bit less bright and will form carbon dioxide. Just be safe!
EdFebruary 19, 2021
PLEASE no lit liquid fuel in any open spillable container. THINK, THINK, THINK.
Angelle LordFebruary 18, 2021
Appreciate this, Joni! We are Louisianians and know all about hurricane prep but this Feb 2021 arctic weather is new. We need some skills!
Joni HiltonFebruary 18, 2021
I’d like to add that it’s always smart to make sure you are in a large, ventilated room with any flame. Although it’s a tiny amount, any flame can create carbon monoxide.
Joni HiltonFebruary 18, 2021
This heater will burn for over an hour. It is safe in a home, but like any flame uses oxygen so I wouldn’t use it in a small tent, for example. It does not create carbon monoxide at all. And it should be placed on flameproof surface, such as tile, stone, brick, or metal.
WayneFebruary 18, 2021
This heater should NEVER be used indoors! Carbon monoxide is an odorless killer and families are dying in Texas because they are using open flame heaters indoors. There is nothing worse that going to sleep and never waking up.
Linda BrownFebruary 18, 2021
How long will this burn?
CASFebruary 18, 2021
Since this method of heating uses oxygen in the room, it's important to point out that this heater must have proper ventilation from the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning as one tries to provide heat inside.
PeggyFebruary 18, 2021
Thank you Joni for sharing this. How long would one TP roll last as the wick? How often would you refill the alcohol? I'm trying to figure out how much to purchase. I noticed that you have a granite countertop. I don't. What other surfaces would you recommend putting the can on to prevent burning?
Myrna LiddellFebruary 18, 2021
Remember the surface under the alcohol heater needs to be protected. Joni shows her heater being lit on a granite? Surface Formica might not be so forgiving?
Doug YoungFebruary 18, 2021
Won't the flame produce carbon monoxide? Will it be safe to use indoors?
JeanFebruary 18, 2021
Thank you for the tip on the diy heater. How long would that last.
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