Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

My observations while doing this.

I wish my skills were better!
I find the burners need cotton wick.  But have been experimenting with natural fiber and I have been weaving my own wicks

Denatured Alcohol Burns and vaporizes best. Seems hottest by far.  91% isopropyl alcohol seems to work not as hot but its legal and easy to find in California. Denatured is not [methylated spirits]  i have to still try everclear liquor[120 proof 60abv] alcohol

Never use oil!  these are vaporizors

These need that airlock, and any tiny hole is bad.  The alcohol finds any way out it can, having any microholes itncan come out and ignite.

for those wondering how these work if i can explain best I can.

Fill burner with denatured alcohol.  The wicks suck up the alcohol and will light like a lamp.  in this case you can only light the pilot light.  the large wick and mushroom top will not light until it warms up and is hot enough to vaporizer the alcohol in the large wick. this spreads out and you get flame.

the wicking action creates a suction and flow requiring proper venting.  the more this is tuned and dialed in the better the burn.  I will post a video of a Burner this week for those interested.  as a Pyromaniac [3rd? hobby] these are in my top 10 of flame producing items.

Enjoy

Jason