This article details an experiment testing the viability of teacup candles as an alternative fuel source for an Esbit stove. The experiment aimed to boil two cups of water, mirroring previous tests with different fuels, using three teacup candles placed directly onto the Esbit stove's burner. The test was conducted without the Esbit stove lid, maintaining consistency with earlier trials. The primary objective was to determine the time required to bring the water to a boil and assess the overall efficiency of this unconventional fuel source.Initial results were far from conclusive. After ten minutes, the water remained noticeably cool, and the candles showed a very slow burn rate. Even after extending the experiment to twenty minutes, the water only reached lukewarm temperatures. This indicated a significant problem with heat transfer efficiency. The experiment highlights the importance of proper fuel placement and proposes modifications for future tests to improve heat transfer and potentially achieve successful water boiling with teacup candles. Further tests exploring alternative fuels are also planned.
Pros And Cons
- Potentially sufficient flame for boiling water with elevation
- Failed to boil water in 20 minutes without elevation
- Insufficient heat at initial placement to boil water
Read more: Coleman Northstar Candle Lantern Review: A Bright and Safe Light Source for Camping
The Teacup Candle Experiment Setup
This experiment aimed to determine the effectiveness of teacup candles as an alternative fuel source for the Esbit stove. Two cups of water, the same amount used in previous fatwood tests, were prepared. The Esbit stove lid was omitted, consistent with earlier tests without the lid. The goal was to measure the time taken to boil the water using three teacup candles as fuel.
The candles were placed directly onto the Esbit stove's burner. It's worth noting that while it's generally safer to light the candles beforehand, this step was overlooked in this particular test.
Initial Observations and the 10-Minute Mark
After approximately 10 minutes, the water showed no signs of boiling; it remained noticeably cool. The candles had barely burned down, indicating a slow burn rate. This initial observation suggested that the teacup candles might not provide sufficient heat for efficient boiling.
The lack of progress at the 10-minute mark prompted a decision to continue the experiment to observe the longer-term performance and heat generation of the candles.
The 20-Minute Mark and Initial Conclusions
At the 20-minute mark, the water had only reached lukewarm temperatures, falling far short of boiling. The candles' burn rate remained slow. At this point, it seemed unlikely that a boil would be achieved.
While not an outright failure, the test's outcome indicated that the placement of the teacup candles on the Esbit stove's burner was suboptimal for efficiently boiling water. Raising the candles closer to the base of the pot was proposed as a potential solution for future attempts.
Proposed Improvements and Future Testing
To improve the results of future tests, raising the teacup candles was suggested. This would increase the heat transfer to the water. A small piece of plywood could be used to elevate the candles, ensuring they are positioned directly beneath the pot.
The experiment was deemed inconclusive due to the suboptimal candle placement. The tester plans to revisit the teacup candle test with the proposed improvement, aiming for more efficient heat transfer and potentially achieving a boil.
Overall Conclusion and Next Steps
The initial test using teacup candles as an alternative fuel for the Esbit stove proved unsuccessful in boiling water within a reasonable timeframe. The primary issue was the inefficient heat transfer caused by the candles' low position on the stove.
Future testing will focus on improving the candle placement to optimize heat transfer and will explore additional alternative fuels, including a Vaseline and cotton ball combination, for further comparison and analysis.