Is there any kind of small gizmo one could use for heating that doesn't

[raccoon]

Require electricity or kerosene? I mean like, very small?

[intrepidity]

1. Candle? nt

[waddirum]

17. Too dangerous

There are much safer solutions.

[MLAA]

2. I have a few emergency 40 hr or 100 hr candles in the pantry

Don’t remember which brand and I’ve never had to use them 🙂

https://www.google.com/search?q=candles+heat+up+room&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Candle heaters, no idea how well they work

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1046322384/candle-stove-natural-866-inch?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-home_decor-candles_and_holders-candleholders-other&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fPx6Nal9nVNCKYosQXr0AVwCYzHelWfqlRKmr4mCnm4rp2K2L-2U83RoCI5wQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_1843970809_73688717470_346364695563_aud-1118323511478:pla-371217095197_c__1046322384_12768591&utm_custom2=1843970809&gclid=CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fPx6Nal9nVNCKYosQXr0AVwCYzHelWfqlRKmr4mCnm4rp2K2L-2U83RoCI5wQAvD_BwE

[ornotna]

3. here's one

[raccoon]

5. I have one. Nt

[Effete Snob]

4. Sterno can

Burning alcohol produces water and CO2 and burns clean:

[KentuckyWoman]

6. hand warmers / thermocare packs / camping add water to heat crystals

I once got through a night in an unheated cabin with drafty walls and a blocked chimney using a couple hand warmer packs several layers of clothing and blankets. Of course in those days I also had my Mr. to snuggle against and that man was a furnace.

[Disaffected]

13. Especially

when you turned up the thermostat??

[Mopar151]

7. Propane camping heaters

Or space heaters - Mr Heater is a brand.

[634-5789]

8. THIS.

[secondwind]

9. Wow 😯

[634-5789]

10. Yeah, works like a charm.

[NickB79]

11. No

Adding a clay pot doesn't magically increase BTU's in a candle.

It's a trick widely promoted on greenhouse forums, and it doesn't do any more than just burning the candle uncovered.

[Disaffected]

15. Correct but,

it does serve to keep the BTUs closer to the floor via convection reduction and radiation from the walls of the pot.

[waddirum]

16. Thank you

That was bugging me.

[Mariana]

24. But the heat doesn't just rise up to the ceiling

the way it does with an uncovered candle. You don’t think that makes a difference?

[Jerry2144]

12. How about

Find an old Mars Rover and use the Pu-238 RTG for heat?

There aren't that many viable options for small amounts of heat beyond the chemical hand-warmers or burning something. How small are you talking about? What do you need it for? If we had more details I am sure we could come up with ideas that would work for your needs. There are battery-powered hand warmers, heated vests, heated boots. But those are expensive and don't last too long. Chemical hand warmers usually only cost 50 cents or so and last for a few hours. The disposable warmers contain iron, carbon, vermiculite and can be added to your compost pile (cut them open and dump the stuff out) while the reusable ones use sodium acetate (from vinegar) and can be recharged in boiling water.


Give us more details and we can probably get you a better answer for your needs.

[raccoon]

20. Something that would keep A small area warm. That would just keep a small area around it warm

That would just keep a small area around it warmWhere a person can get fairly close to it. I don’t have room for a generator and I’m in an apartment anyway so that wouldn’t work.

I was just thinking of something to help stay warm in case, dog forbid, the power went out.

I already see some very helpful suggestions here.

[Jerry2144]

21. That helps

Be careful with burning things. It is easy to build up carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. If there is a draft, you should be ok. Small candles are relatively safe, but big alcohol burners might cause a build up if not vented.

I don’t know your budget, but there are battery packs that now act as generators. You could put one of those to charge up when the two or three day forecast indicates power outage is possible, then use electric blankets.

You can also pile on blankets then make use of those chemical hand warmers in strategic places. Body heat works well, especially if you can close off a tiny room inside the apartment.

Hand warmers like https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/details/grabber-hand-warmer---10-pack/0750141390002/_/A-3666617 are safe and last a surprising amount of time. Just make sure they’re not super old. They degrade with oxygen and moisture. The packaging minimizes exposure to air, but isn’t perfect. And the stuff inside them is compostable and can give iron to outside plants.

[Emile]

14. I read an article a long time ago in Mother Earth News magazine

for an homemade solar room heater. This is it here.

[FakeNoose]

18. Got any Sterno handy?

These little cans are lit with a match or propane lighter, and the fuel burns for 2, 4 or 6 hours depending on the size. They're mainly used for keeping food warm when electricity isn't available, like on a buffet table. I'm not sure if grocery stores carry them, but a kitchen-supply or a camping goods store would probably have them.

[multigraincracker]

19. For about $12 you can get 10

mylar blankets. Dress up like a mummy.

[abqtommy]

22. NOTE: Make sure any kerosene or propane stove used inside is properly vented or

you might not wake up!

[CentralMass]

23. How about a wearable sleeping bag ?

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/201426/selkbag-original-6g-wearable-sleeping-bag