Wickless alcohol burner

[bdorman]

Has anyone ever tried one of these: a wickless alcohol burner?

They run about $10 on ebay. The only downside I can see is that it doesn't look like they are adjustable.

[Nightprowler]

Does the fuel evaporate more that with a wick?
NightProwler

[willsjwills]

Ought to heat plenty of heads. That's pretty cool

[skiptomylu]

I dont remember why I didn't buy one, but I know that I did decide not to try it for some reason. That is all I remember from the last time I was looking for a different one and bought 2 others since the first one I bought to replace the one I am still using has a 1/8" wick Si didnt like the flame size on it so then bought one of the octagonal ones off eBay and it's lid didn't screw on so I gave up, LOL! Still use the same one I started with 6 years ago.

[fish_4_all]

I thought about them but figured I would wind up getting too much PP on them sooner or later and close off the holes or ruin them someway. I still haven't gotten one but plan on getting the wick ones when I do, 1/4 inch right Skip?

My other concern would be tipping them over and having alcohol free flow out the top of the wickless ones while one side continues to burn.

[bdorman]

I ordered one and hope to have it by this weekend. I'll give you a report, although I have no other experience (other than cigarette lighter) to compare it to.

My first try at curing went well (I think) except that my toaster oven's built-in thermometer disagreed wildly with my stand-alone thermometer so I don't know if I cured at 310degs or 400degs. No burnt or discolored jigs, nor did they crack when dropped...so I'm happy.

I hope the fish appreciate all this work!

[skiptomylu]

You really need to find out what temp your using! If you can get it accurate at 395 for 10 minutes, remember that is the lead temp so I add 2 minutes to that to get my 10 at 395.

[bdorman]

You really need to find out what temp your using! If you can get it accurate at 395 for 10 minutes, remember that is the lead temp so I add 2 minutes to that to get my 10 at 395.

You'd think someone could make an accurate oven thermometer. My wife did a lot of research when looking for one for our kitchen oven. Her conclusion was that regardless of how much money you spent, it was a crapshoot. Of course, she still bought the most expensive one (that's the one that was reading 310 when I'd set the toaster oven for 360).

[skiptomylu]

I trust my big over much better than my toaster oven, but even my toaster oven I found out that I have a limit of about 400 that I can use. I tried at about 420+- and melted some lead on a tiny jig head so I knew it was more than the 395 to 400 I have used on my big oven. I have talked to the Mfg. more than a few times about this and they say 10 minutes at 395 to 400 is magic as far as how hard the paint gets and adding time will darken the paint. I know also that I can use say 375-380 for 15 to 17 minutes and still get a good cure and not enough change in color. I also have left some in up to 20 minutes and the FL Red turns into a different color and dull, not bright color. When I say dull I am not talking about how shiny it is. Have had a lot in at one time and some turn colors I didn't want while others didn't so go figure!

Oh and yes I agree, finding an accurate thermometer is very hard and really frustrating as well.