how many btus in a candle?

[flyboy3b]

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

[The Viking]

Short answer...
I haven't got a clue, sorry.

But...
Why reinvent the wheel?

For a DIY approach fill a metal tin 3/4 up with waste oil then add as much sawdust as you can. Works a treat and if you use catering sized tins will burn a whole evening, even in moderate winds.

For a more professional solution, have a look HERE



.

[frank]

Not something I have tried, but I would assume that a thicker wick will draw more fuel so will burn brighter and produce more energy

If your candle burned for 14 hours with a 1/8" wick, hour many hours would it burn with a 1/4" wick?

Better still, just bleed the waste oil into your diesel tank on your vehicle and reduce the amount you have to pay at the pump for your fuel. I have a friend who does this on a 1:10 ratio and has had no adverse effects from his vehicle

Me, I drive a petrol car

[mikeref]

Had a quick look around for you.
I pinched this:http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...Hom-6tPQH-y-Ug