A simple hand-warming heater you can make yourself.A little bit of warming heat can go a long way in the outdoors, particularly when it comes to warming cold hands. You can always solve the problem by gathering up wood and building a fire, but in some cases the wood may be wet, or maybe you don't like the idea of generating a lot of smoke. There may be a better solution. With a little bit of planning ahead of time you can easily make a simple, basic heater with very little effort. All you need are three simple items: 1. An empty metal coffee can (1316 oz.) with replaceable lid 2. A bottle of rubbing alcohol rub·bing alcohol n. A mixture usually consisting of 70 percent isopropyl or absolute alcohol, applied externally to relieve muscle and joint pain. 3. A roll of toilet paper Unlike some other forms of fuel, rubbing alcohol doesn't generate a great deal of BTUs, but the intended purpose of this heater is not to produce a great deal of heat. Its application is suited to simply take the chill off your hands in an easy, economical manner. The first step is to place the roll of toilet paper inside the coffee can. (You may have to remove the cardboard tube by pressing it out with your thumbs.) The toilet paper should form a fairly snug fit. Next, simply pour the rubbing alcohol evenly over the toilet paper. Use enough to thoroughly saturate sat·u·rate v. Abbr. sat. 1. To imbue or impregnate thoroughly. 2. To soak, fill, or load to capacity. 3. To cause a substance to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance. the paper, but not so much that any liquid is visible in the bottom of the can. After the alcohol has been absorbed into the toilet paper, the coffee can may be sealed until the heater is needed (this will help slow any evaporation evaporation, change of a liquid into vapor at any temperature below its boiling point. For example, water, when placed in a shallow open container exposed to air, gradually disappears, evaporating at a rate that depends on the amount of surface exposed, the humidity of the alcohol). In all likelihood the lid won't fit tight enough to keep the alcohol from leaking out if the can is tipped over, so your heater should be stored upright. When your heater is needed, simply light the toilet paper with a match or cigarette lighter. The alcohol burns very clean with virtually no visible smoke, making it great for use in duck blinds duck blind n. A shelter, often camouflaged with reeds and grasses, for concealing duck hunters. . Once your hands are warmed, simply smother the fire. After the can has cooled down, you can replace the lid and store until it's needed again. I like to carry an extra bottle of rubbing alcohol with me in order to replenish re·plen·ish v. re·plen·ished, re·plen·ish·ing, re·plen·ish·es v.tr. 1. To fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to: replenish the larder. 2. the supply as it becomes low. It's surprising how long the alcohol lasts, and as long as the toilet paper is well saturated saturated /sat·u·rat·ed/ (sach´ah-rat?ed) 1. denoting a chemical compound that has only single bonds and no double or triple bonds between atoms. 2. unable to hold in solution any more of a given substance. , it too will last a long time. It is important that this heater, or any combustion-type process for that matter, be used only in a well-ventilated area. Even though no visible smoke can be seen when the heater is burning, poisonous poi·son·ous adj. Relating to or caused by a poison. poisonous having the properties of a poison. poisonous bride's bush pavettaschumanniana. carbon monoxide carbon monoxide, chemical compound, CO, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, extremely poisonous gas that is less dense than air under ordinary conditions. It is very slightly soluble in water and burns in air with a characteristic blue flame, producing carbon dioxide; gas is being produced and emitted into the surrounding air. TOM TABOR MONTANA |
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