flyboy3b
14-12-2012, 05:20 AM
im working on a project.
basically im trying to build a passive heater with used fry oil using wicks. as best as i can figure, a standard sized candle (alter candle) is about 300 to 800 btus but there are many calculations out there that disagree. each week we toss out 60 lbs of fry oil (it actually goes to a recycler) and i would like to be able to use it for heat in our outdoor smoking area. ive made small candles that burn for 14 hours using a small piece of string for a wick in 2 oz of oil so im pretty sure i can build something on a larger scale but im trying to get an idea of how big.
the wicks i am thinking of using will be 1/4 to 3/8 cotton, so maybe 8 times larger than i regular candle, and no, i have no idea what the btu rating for whatever kid of oil i am using. im just trying to get a ballpark idea on how much heat this thing will throw out.
a second problem im working with is that im trying to get the oil to gel at around 60f so it isnt too spilly (thats a technical term that people in wisconsin use for things that are not ice). im experimenting with adding parafin in small amount to raise the melting temp and that may work out, but id rather not have to buy anything for this project.
thanks in advance for your time,
mike
basically im trying to build a passive heater with used fry oil using wicks. as best as i can figure, a standard sized candle (alter candle) is about 300 to 800 btus but there are many calculations out there that disagree. each week we toss out 60 lbs of fry oil (it actually goes to a recycler) and i would like to be able to use it for heat in our outdoor smoking area. ive made small candles that burn for 14 hours using a small piece of string for a wick in 2 oz of oil so im pretty sure i can build something on a larger scale but im trying to get an idea of how big.
the wicks i am thinking of using will be 1/4 to 3/8 cotton, so maybe 8 times larger than i regular candle, and no, i have no idea what the btu rating for whatever kid of oil i am using. im just trying to get a ballpark idea on how much heat this thing will throw out.
a second problem im working with is that im trying to get the oil to gel at around 60f so it isnt too spilly (thats a technical term that people in wisconsin use for things that are not ice). im experimenting with adding parafin in small amount to raise the melting temp and that may work out, but id rather not have to buy anything for this project.
thanks in advance for your time,
mike