Terra cotta pots concentrate heat using the convection method. Although you can’t warm a whole house with it, this method can definitely help keep you warm and make a cold night much more bearable. When you have several of these going at the same time, that can help keep the room at a comfortable temperature. You can purchase one of these from Heatstick.com and see just how they work. Or if you’re on a tight budget, you can DIY it at a lesser cost.
Radiate the Heat in Your Room with Terra Cotta Pots
Materials Needed:
- Three small unglazed terra cotta clay pots that range from large to small, i.e. ( 6”, 4”, 2”)
- Saucer Plate
- 6-inch carriage steel bolt
- Washers in varying sizes that fit in the bottom of the pots
- Several nuts to act as spacers between each pot
- Metal stand to hold the radiator ( oil burners work quite well )
- Electric drill
- Mason bit ( same size or slightly larger than the bolt )
Instructions:
Step 1. Drill Center Hole
Drill a hole in the center of the bottom part of each pot (be careful as too much pressure will shatter them).
Step 2. Insert Bolt in Largest Pot
Place the bolt through the hole in the largest pot with the head of the bolt on the outside.
Step 3. Washer on Bolt
Turn the pot upside down and slide a washer over the bolt.
Step 4. Medium Pot Inside
Place the medium pot inside the large pot.
Step 5. Secure Medium Pot
Slide a washer inside the medium pot.
Step 6. Secure the Nuts
Thread two nuts onto the bolt followed by another washer.
Step 7. Place Final Pot
Place the final pot on the bolt. This center pot sticks a little further out so that the heat will radiate to the other clays and out.
Step 8. Place Saucer
Finish with one last washer and nut, and then secure a saucer on top.
Step 9. Furnace Cement for Saucer Plate
Since the carriage bolt kinda sticks out from the top, a permanent fix with a furnace cement can fix it, before sealing the top with a saucer. Just take a bit of the furnace cement and apply it on top of the pot. You may add a bit of water to thin it out.
Step 10. Let Dry
Once you’ve applied an even amount of the cement for a permanent adherence on to the top of the pot, place the saucer on the top for the final step and let dry.
Now simply set it on your stand and place a candle under it.
Keep in mind that 4.25oz standard glass jar candles work the best and never use a pillar candle as it will melt and cause a huge mess.
Check out this video by markthomasbuilder on making the terra cotta pot warmer:
When cold weather calls for warmth and heat, all you can think about is to snuggle close with loved ones in a warmly lit and cozy room. And what better way to accomplish that than with the use of this terra cotta pot candle heater. Be amazed at how a couple of pots, a candle, and some washers and nuts, when assembled all together as a space heater, can conveniently heat up closed quarters. It will definitely warm you up and your loved ones in no time!
What do you think about this terra cotta pot warming project? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Very nice idea. Do you have a good example of a metal stand to hold the pots?
Hi Scot,
Thanks for the comment, I’ve actually used a metal oil burner stand that I got from the dollar store, I had to break off some of the decorations but after that the ring that holds the oil plate worked pretty well at holding the pots up and it gave the candle a nice sturdy base. I suppose you could always take some stiff wire or old coat hangers and fashion your own. Let me know if you have any luck creating your own, I’d love to hear it.
Joe
How do you keep candels from going out?
The air flow around the candle will provide enough oxygen to keep the flame going.
Can you describe or illustrate how the candle is placed under the pots? I somehow can’t visualize it with the description and image provided…
Thanks, sounds like a great tip.
^ Yeah, what he said!
Dumb@$$!
What’s the point of being a jerk? How about being a contributor instead?
Try it out for yourself and see what works and what doesn’t.
I know you can use pots like this as a makeshift oven when right side up and putting sand between the layers of pots. I usually only put 2 pots together for that use.
It’s why terra cotta is used in pizza ovens and other cookers.
I have been looking for this candle heater plan for a long tome . Thank you for posting it. I reposted it on my website and gave you credit for it. Thanks for all your good information!
Will these work good for my girlfriend and her girlfriends, for use around the stripper pole?
I like this tip and I will share it with my friends and relatives. We plan on using this technique a lot in the winter time.