Excuse me if this is a silly question I’m really paranoid about fire. I made a lantern from a mason jar with citronella oil from the hardware store and I put electrical tape over the lid. I know nothing is 100% safe and I’ll never leave it unattended I just want to know if there is a risk it could explode?
Comments
Mindydoll OP t1_iu3kylt wrote
Oh I thought electrical tape was flame retardant? I tried posting a pic but it won’t let me. I made a hole in the lid for the wick to go through so the flame is on the outside
Hattix t1_iu3ls1n wrote
Flame retardant just means it won't sustain a flame itself. Doesn't say "fire resistant".
Electrical tape will warp, char, and melt.
5degreenegativerake t1_iu49ai9 wrote
And it will smell like shit while it’s hot and forever thereafter.
ArmedHightechRedneck t1_iu3rcgz wrote
The tape might not burn, but it can melt. Also not all electrical tape is equal - a lot of imported cheap stuff might not fully live up to requirements ;-)
Regarding the rest of the setup it sounds pretty much like a standard oil lamp style of setup. As long as the flame isn’t directly against the glass - and if you hold the wick using the metal lid it isn’t- then you should be good to go :-)
Techtopics t1_iu6ptp1 wrote
When it comes to electrical tape it will melt and distort. Flame will destroy the neglectful at bonds but once the heat source is removed it will extinguish.
danauns t1_iu42vko wrote
Risk of explosion based on what you describe is incredibly low.
Risk of your lantern ruining itself, causing a fire, and generally just being a frustrating not very useful dirty burning annoying thing? Very high.
lemonsneeker t1_iu3wzzf wrote
If your jar is actually sealed it wont stay lit. Fire requires oxygen, even other gases will only make up the wood side of the equation, fuel. If you want proof, google 'explosive range gas'
Other than that, it takes a pretty quick temp change to crack a mason jar in my experience(used to use them for tea), so it should be fine.
Diligent_Nature t1_iu40629 wrote
DIY do it yourself
DYI do yourself in?
[deleted] t1_iu45jdt wrote
[removed]
BlahMan06 t1_iu448pf wrote
You'll be fine.
Mindydoll OP t1_iu45wdc wrote
Ok everyone thanks for your replies. I think it will b fine but I can’t relax with it going so I’m just going to get rid of it. Thanks for your help though I appreciate it.
Maplelongjohn t1_iu49nx8 wrote
Citronella oil will burn nicely
Explode, no.
Hattix t1_iu5ev0i wrote
I saw the photo you posted.
It is not an explosion risk.
It's badly made, but it won't blow anything up.
ArmedHightechRedneck t1_iu3kcuf wrote
You should perhaps post a picture of what you made or describe it a bit more in detail for us to give proper answers. When you say lantern: Is the flame going to be inside the jar, or outside? Regardless I would not use electrical tape on something where there is going to be a flame - the tape might shrink or even catch fire.