Wax burners

[Dan Yeruski]

It's going to take a long time to light a wax stove and a long time to get it up to full flame/heat. Are you satisfied with the lighting time so far?

[David Thomas]

I'm not gasifying the wax into some pre-mix burner. Just burning what vaporizes in the wick, like a candle. If I touch two spots on the perimeter, the flames spread from those points and it is lit all the way around in about 10 seconds. It warms up and increases output in another 15 seconds. I'll keep careful notes on that the next time I fire it up.

[Rex Sanders]

Just an idea: refill with wax-soaked cardboard strip sized for your stove. Cardboard might provide the wick, so you don't need the fiberglass.

Unless, of course, TSA bans wax-soaked cardboard!

— Rex

[Daryl and Daryl]

Deleted-Link wouldn't work

[Dan Yeruski]

Just checking in to see if anyone has progressed into a good working design.

I just received a box full of altoid tins that need to be turned into a wax burning stoves.

I had a thought to use Vaselene as a fuel. Anyone tried it? It would be an easy "Carry on"

[Charley White]

Hah…I wish I had some vaseline to try right now. Bet it would work great.

I actually tried some test models but moved on… But since you bumped, and know a bit about flame, I'll show them as a lead up to a flame question.

Used a soft drink can. Each time, nested the wick in the depression ring. First one–I can't show–made the center hole big and had the wick right next to it. My notion, from prior trials with oil based fuel was fighting tendency for flame to get too big and go sooty. Adjacent metal can tamp that. There wasn't enough room to easily add wax (Saturn's ring too small.)

Next, made a small hole. Not enough air.

Then I made a bigger center hole–big enough, I think–but didn't hug it with the wick. Want to try that next, because the flame moves inward and that always feeds the tendency for flame peaking too high, I suspect.

Here it is with a windscreen over it.

Fourth pic is with the screen raised, leading to my question. In my fight against sooty flame, and benefit of a low one (minimize contraption size; height of pot above flame) I like blue flame best. Do you suppose the increased blue, reduced yellow is simply the increased amount of air drafting in from outside & below? The screen is elevated above the rim of the stove. Not working….will put this 4th picture in next post…

These stoves are still vulnerable. Wax quickly melts entirely. Don't bump. Don't let condensation drop in

[Charley White]

[Dan Yeruski]

Charley, less wick exposed will burn cleaner. Closer to pot is better.(less turbulence)

Candles burn cleaner if wick is short. People that use a lot of candles keep wicks short for cleaner burning. A long wick will give off black smoke seen above the candle flame.

Your last photo shows how a "laminar" flow of air is "good" for a cleaner burner. As soon as the air becomes turbulent you'll see the orange/yellow flame which gives off soot.

Wish I had more time to do some testing with Vaseline.

Thanks for your photos and info on your findings.

[Author]

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