Hot Stone

Barewolf · 26-05-2011, 15:45

Is there such a stone, or perhaps a block that remains hot after you remove it from a heat source?

IE; I want to be able to generate heat in a small area, just enough heat that the temperature is higher than the outside air by a few degrees, without using a flame.

Gary L · 26-05-2011, 15:46

coal.

haydnwalker · 26-05-2011, 15:48

Granite will probably be the best type of stone to use, as it can hold heat (and quite alot of it) for a long time (enough to cook a meal without a flame

)

Caff · 26-05-2011, 15:52

Am so curious but I'll resist the urge to ask

Dai · 26-05-2011, 15:52

My first thought was to heat up a rock in the oven. But on consideration I'm not sure if that's 100% safe. I'm wondering if the wrong sort of stone might shatter or even explode.

Maybe one of the microwaveable heat pads?

joglynne · 26-05-2011, 15:55

Depending on what you want to use it for I have a Microwave Granite Hot Plate similar to this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KWIK-WARMER-...6417982&sr=8-2

Barewolf · 26-05-2011, 16:02

Ahh Granite, I never thought of that, that should do the trick.

And for those wondering......Its to generate condensation within a Polycarbonate frame.

I've read that you can collect up to 4 gallons of water via condensation, and it "Seems" as though this summer is going to be a record breaking heatwave, and I reckon they might do hosepipe bans.

I figured if I can collect condensed water at 4 gallons per night, I could still water my allotment, at least thats my theory.

MovedGoalPosts · 26-05-2011, 16:19

4 gallons

That's a very big amount to extract, and no doubt requires ideal laboratory type conditions. How big a polycarbonate frame are you expecting, the size of your allotment?

Barewolf · 26-05-2011, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

4 gallons

That's a very big amount to extract, and no doubt requires ideal laboratory type conditions. How big a polycarbonate frame are you expecting, the size of your allotment?

I dont know where I read it, I might be wrong, But even if extract 1 gallon, it will be enough, I figured I could make some modifications to a cold frame using plastic pipe, that way if i dont get 1 gallon i havent wasted my time, i still have a cold frame that i will use.

so about 4ft square.

Kymmy · 26-05-2011, 16:28

How do you think Storage Heaters work

Taf · 26-05-2011, 16:33

An old trick I was taught in the RAF:

Dig a hole about a foot deep, part fill with foliage then place a cup in the centre. Cover the hole with plastic sheeting, place a small stone near the centre above the cup. Water from the foliage will evaporate, condense on the plastic and run down to the cup.

This can also be used on a sandy beach where you dig to the water table, so foliage isn't needed.

Polycarb-glazed greenhouses often get a lot of condensation inside as the plants transpire (?), but I've yet to figure out a way to collect it for reycling to the plants.

Barewolf · 26-05-2011, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taf

An old trick I was taught in the RAF:

Dig a hole about a foot deep, part fill with foliage then place a cup in the centre. Cover the hole with plastic sheeting, place a small stone near the centre above the cup. Water from the foliage will evaporate, condense on the plastic and run down to the cup.

This can also be used on a sandy beach where you dig to the water table, so foliage isn't needed.

Polycarb-glazed greenhouses often get a lot of condensation inside as the plants transpire (?), but I've yet to figure out a way to collect it for reycling to the plants.

I was thinking of using some kind of drip system, by gluing a thin rubber tube to the polycarb lid and placing a drainage system below it that would drip into a large container, this could also work in my greenhouse for extra water.

i would have to do some drawings before i tried it, but in theory if it works and we do have a really bad summer to the point of 76 with water rations, at least we would have the water to feed the crops.

Gary L · 26-05-2011, 16:42

I'd just defy the ban personally. it's not like you live in the desert and someone would kill you if you didn't

Barewolf · 26-05-2011, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

I'd just defy the ban personally. it's not like you live in the desert and someone would kill you if you didn't

No but I dont want to be slapped with a fine either, and besides that, in 76 they had to have taps in the road, they cut off supply to houses, so if that happens this year I couldnt defy the ban.

i'm not saying it will, im just going off what people are predicting.

Gary L · 26-05-2011, 16:52

You could always get a big watering can. the ban is just for hosepipes and sprinklers.

watering cans and buckets are excluded.