Flowerpot Air Heater! New Design! w/Copper+Sand! (300F/400F)(150C/205C) home/mini greenhouse etc...

DIY Clay Pot Air Heater! New Design! Now with heat-conducting Copper Strips and Sand for maximum heat absorption and retention. How it works: the heat of the candles is absorbed and directed down into the sand (using the embedded copper strips) where it's stored and released over time. once the sand is heated the unit produces a steady amount of continuous heat. (and for several hours even after the candles go out).
Only 4 items are needed: a clay flowerpot, copper strips, sand and tea-lights (or small glass candles). that's it. and it goes together in a few minutes.
📌 the unit takes about 45 mins to 1 hr to warm the sand 'all the way through' (and will continue warming with each passing hour). top temps seem to be around 300F/150C with one tealight under each copper strip and 400F/205C with 2 candles under each strip.
🔶🟠 A good source for the copper (and where i buy it) is discussed in the video. it's essentially bulk copper (99.9% pure) by the pound (on amazon)
🌱🌱 Just a thought but it's a nice steady heat so it might work well as
an off-grid heater (or supplemental heater) in a small or mini greenhouse.

[@ItzVoidgffsandtas23]

Hi. To get candles to last longer, sprinkle salt on them. There are DIY "forever" candle ideas on youtube, using a jar, wick, salt (or water) and cooking oil. Also, you.can light a dry spaghetti noodle and use it as a long matchstick. I too have watched you for years. Thank you for sharing your ideas and helping us to think creatively. We are all in this together.

[@desertsun02]

hi and thank you!

[@IrishMorgenstern]

As a new homeowner of a 70 yr old house with horrible insulation, I'm excited to finally have the opportunity to implement many of your projects. You made me want a solar oven for example so bad!

[@avgrim7729]

I've been watching you for around 10 years and this is the best one I can remember for this flower pot type heaters!

[@desertsun02]

wow. thanks, I'm glad you've been a long time viewer. I've been wanting to find a way to add lots of thermal mass to the 'flowerpot style' heater for a while and this is the best way I've thought of. the copper grabs like 90% of the heat of the flame and just sends it straight down into the sand to be stored and slowly radiated over time. no wasted heat being sent to the ceiling (where you can't feel it).

[@JillofAllTrades2]

@@desertsun02Good thinking 99! Seriously using your noggin there. Outstanding synthesis and execution of information different bits of information. BONUS: No cleaning spot off the walls, ceilings and furniture. That shyte gets EVERYWHERE. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@HeywoodJabozoff]

as i am building a sand battery with the copper sheet embedded in the sand for heating up in the fireplace, i come across this even more brilliant idea! thanks!

[@chuck1011212]

Super cool and the sand 'may' extinguish the candles if it is somehow knocked over too.

[@321andme]

💡 That's a great idea!

[@harmoneecatcher2281]

Oh that’s clever … think I’ll make a square u for a platform for a heat propelled fan … this is a terrific idea THANKS FOR SHARING ❤️ Edit😆 Ha just read comments … thinking the plates can be cut and slid together like hands/fingers interlocking to make a continuous squared off oval type platform insert … love all your vids and the ideas from subs …

[@Greenr0]

Thank you for the great info. You can use this principle to build a 21st century masonry heater that use copper bars to transfer hot air from wood fires to surrounding sand enclosed by masonry blocks instead of relying on elaborate air channels.

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

It would be cool if you got into data logging and so could give us a nice graph of the temperature in the centre of the sand sampled regularly over the hours after lighting the candles. You could also graph the room temperature in a room that you keep the door closed on for the duration of the experiment and then go on to work out how many of these would be needed to heat a room of a given volume in your particular conditions and how long that number is able to keep that room comfortable just off the initial burn and sand-stored heat.

[@tnsweet1]

That’s a good idea, Andrew . Have you made any progress on your idea?

[@masongovender9231]

True, the concept is interesting, but how effective is it. How big of a different does it make to a room vs just burning the candle. Guess we all have to help out and test his ideas. This is still a brilliant concept.

[@stevew6138]

I like the direction of this heater build. My thought would be to set the clay pot on blocks and insert a thin one inch pipe over the drain hole extending upward a few inches out of the sand as a circulator. I cool my garage with one of your evaporative window fan cooler designs and like it. Keep'em coming Friend.

[@rosehippyguy3402]

Impressive 👌

[@markirish7599]

Fantastic video from a brilliant channel . thanks for taking the time to film and edit the videos

[@desertsun02]

Many thanks!

[@HideBuz]

Nice idea, I would definitely incorporate a fan to increase the warm airflow. Otherwise you are relying on radiation heat alone, which is mostly IR and gets absorbed quickly once the view is blocked.

[@desertsun02]

hi. a small fan should work good with this 🙂👍

[@rockreader4298]

Love it! Now I'm sitting here trying to think of a way to utilize it to keep my cup of coffee warm Lol. Perhaps sitting another clay pot on top of one with candles, with spacers between the pots, so it doesn't inhibit the oxygen needed for the flames? Perhaps with a variation of this idea? : ) I enjoy and truly appreciate all of your content and how you strive to improve on every idea. TY

[@sophholl3782]

If you used the three slats of copper, fairly thick and the backs to the center with a triangle center vacancy in the middle like shown in the video, it should work. I was thinking the same thing. Even heating a cup of soup.

[@patedwards8844]

I bet you could fry eggs in it too ❤🎉​@@sophholl3782

[@daveswords2112]

Very very. Clever design. Awesome dude Unique Thank you for this

[@kartof1]

Another wonderful invention from you, much appreciated and very interesting. Combine this copper strips idea with another recent idea from you. The copper strips can be stuck into peripheral sand around a smaller can in a paint can, the smaller can filled with carbon felt.

[@MichaelR58]

Great idea thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@monabouknight5134]

This one's a keeper! We no longer have a working fireplace and a power outage during the winter can be brutal. I've been watching videos like this for over a year and agree with you about trying to improve on these clay pot heaters. Going to try resting a scrap piece of copper across the tops of copper in the bigger pot and see if I can get my wood stove fan to pick up and disperse some of the heat. Either that or add a block of heated soapstone to the pot of sand. Anything for the cause!

[@desertsun02]

sounds like some good ideas! i've been meaning to get some soapstone but i keep putting it off. (i can't find a cheap source of it)

[@PuthieLeTarte]

THose little candles in the jars can be bought at Dollar Tree for 1.25 and they last far longer. I use lots of both tea lights and Dollar Tree jar candles. Pretty smart design!!!

[@piotrekj.1277]

Hello. Thanks for the video and sharing your ideas. If you have time, maybe you can test it with fireclay mortar or, for example, black quartz gravel (the gravel can be placed outside in the sun, for example, in the summer) it will heat up and maybe release the heat at night... I don't know ;).. but if, for example, : you have these three curved copper plates, maybe you can put a square copper plate on them and a fan on it. Maybe it will get warm enough for it to work. Take care. Greetings from Poland ;)

[@MaximusJohal]

Your awesome!

[@jesuschrist1501]

thank you for this video, you don't know how much you've helped me prove my theory with my energy generator system, i don't have much money to keep experiment and here you are doing just that. you are a god send, keep up the work brother. if you're interested in what i am doing and you can experiment on it and show it to the mass that'd be awesome too but for now brother keep doing you.

[@desertsun02]

You're very welcome!

[@Andrei369y]

Pretty inspiring content you got there, I've started gathering materials to test some ideas, heating has become expensive and the building main heater needs maintenance at time causing causing problems for days and even weeks so I feel it's crucial to have an independent free of cost solution available at all time.

[@RossmanGarage]

Keep up the good work dude can’t wait to see what other stuff you come up with!

[@wandacasper5612]

Thank u for sharing

[@MaximusJohal]

How about a small can? I have 2 and was thinking of doing this per room.

[@Kexlar]

This is excellent, I bet with a camp stove fan sitting on top the copper that could blow the warm air around your room.

[@mikkiv9698]

I love this flower pot build! Do you think an eco-fan is light enough to sit on top of the copper strips? Thank you for another really awesome video!

[@kitsurubami]

Badass! I love your content

[@desertsun02]

thanks 🔥

[@andrewsolano9172]

@@desertsun02 hey bro try erythritol instead of sand they use those in those sunpots and heat supposed to last all day

[@thedustmancometh]

They make spring-loaded candle holders, would be prime for this. As the candle burns down, a spring in the tube pushes upward. And thanks for the video!

[@desertsun02]

hi. spring loaded candle holders. cool. i'd never heard of those. i'll have to research those.

[@EgonSorensen]

Brilliant

[@desertsun02]

thanks brother 🙂👍

[@juanmacias5922]

This is impressive, great job!

[@desertsun02]

hi and thank you 👍🙂

[@David-jx4gw]

I like this because you are not precariously balancing pots and pans.

[@desertsun02]

hi. that's a great point. this unit is very stable

[@Good4All4Good]

I wonder if making the copper U-shaped with two parts of the copper strips in the sand, instead of L-shaped, for the double tea lights, would heat even more. A peltier stove would easily sit right on top. These are beautiful unlit, and even moreso when lit. You keep topping yourself!

[@desertsun02]

hi and thanks 🙂

[@Kim-ws9bz]

So did you check the temperature in the space? How much did it go up and how did it last? If someone wants to turn off their electric at night in the winter and put one of these in the bedroom, will they stay warm?

[@jojow8416]

I am curious if Crisco in a small jar with a wick, or a small candle inserted would last longer? Also, will the terracotta pot ever get hot enough that it would break?

[@strayscavenger-si]

amazing job bro i will try it soon.. question how thick is the cooper ? on cm or inch never mind i will use coverter

[@one7decimal2eight]

Would it be more efficient if instead of an L shape for the copper, you use a U shape? Twice as much copper in the sand.

[@desertsun02]

hi. i'm not sure if the shape would affect the efficiency but the issue with the u-shape is that it's hard to find copper that is long enough. you need the pieces to go far down into the sand.

[@orangecat999]

Wow! Thank you, this is very cool!

[@desertsun02]

you bet 🙂

[@cityzenkane108]

Great job. Looks lovely too. What is the temperature of the pot? Surely it is inefficient to heat from above as heat rises? I'm thinking of making one where the copper is heated from below.

[@jeanene72]

Put the thermometor into the sand but not directly over the flame, to get a better reading of the radiant heat function. And how long does it retain heat after the candles go out?

[@jberg411]

What if you tried to collect the heat going up more. Cast iron or stainless steel tea kettel on the copper plates. (With stand I understand copper will not hold kettel) Use tea hettel spout to have 2 tunes go through small radiator. Then small fan to push air in a direction.

[@inesrahane3610]

It's nice and safe as a room candle but it pollutes the air. What would be interesting in this experiment is the temperature of the pot and the sand and not that of the copper plates on the surface which is necessarily hot but short-lived if the candle goes out. what temperature by conduction by the copper plate planted in the sand. There is a lot of direct loss of energy in an aerial mode and very little accumulation. knowing that the jar, even lukewarm, will probably remain warm about 1 to 2 hours after the candle.

[@desertsun02]

hi. i've heard that beeswax candles burn very clean (compared to regular candles) so that would be an option

[@sober84]

Maybe try the ptc heating elements with the same set-up except take a same size pot and set it upside down on top to radiate more heat into the room?

[@desertsun02]

neat idea. i'll try it

[@tkreg8382]

Great idea. New sub😊. How large of space does it heat and how long does it heat the space? Is the outside of pot hot?

[@desertsun02]

hi there and thanks for subbing! i'm not exactly sure how large of a space it can heat. i guess it will depend on how much you need to raise the temp for a given area. standard size tealights will burn 4 to 5 hours plus the unit will release heat for 3 or more hours after they go out so you could get 8 or more hours from one set of tea lights. they also sell long burn lea lights. those burn 6 or 7 hours so you could get 10 or 12 hours of total heating if you use those type. the outside of the pot gets very warm and continues to warm the longer you run it. very warm in 45 mins to an hour and hotter as time goes by. (up to a little under 300F/150C within 2 or 3 hours). if you add a second candle under each copper strip you can get it to near 400F (the copper) and the sand temp stays a little under that (350F/177C).

[@mashroom7706]

Interesting stuff. I notice the pot are sitting on your table, would an insulated layer underneath the pot help? Also curious how the copper arrangement effects efficiency. Multi-pronged copper spiders might look cool in my imagination but how would they perform? Stumbled across this while investigating ways to cook with sand. Glad I did! Have a good day.

[@mannyfragoza9652]

Hey ds I wonder if you put a smaller Clay pot on top im guessing the smaller clay pot would radiate more heat to the sand and outside the pot. I might try this one.

[@dan1694]

Try using graphite below the sand. Graphite transfers heat much better than even copper. Use this to charge up the sand more effectively.

[@desertsun02]

hey there. i'll look into it

[@TheKestrell45]

If you invert a same size pot on top with a half inch gap between the rims, you can double your radiant heating surface.

[@desertsun02]

sounds like a good idea. do you have any ideas on what to use to hold the pots apart?

[@yaseminkoyunlu642]

Hey! Thank you for all your help. I have a question. Could you cook with a pot on the copper ? Or are there any ways to cook with the heated sand? Thank you very much

[@amyd6182]

What is the temp on the sides and bottom of the pots? How long do the tea lights last?

[@peterwenz7]

So how far does the heat radiate from the pot, how close must you sit to get any benefit from it, and how long does it last.

[@stevelacroix2917]

Why not bend the copper twice so the copper goes down into the sand from 2 directions, kinda like the thing you made with the 2 pieces of copper and 2 candles? Also, I realize that copper is expensive, so why not mix scrap or recycled copper in with the sand?? Would that be better than just plain sand?

[@peaceandlove544]

Wowww. Can you use them as mini stove? How long will the flame and heat last with those mini candles?

[@desertsun02]

mini stove is an interesting idea. those types of candles can burn anywhere from 4 to 10 hours. the ones i use last about 5 hours. the ones that last 4 to 5 hours are the ordinary ones. they also sell extended burn ones. i've seen 8 hour ones and 10 hour ones.

[@JohnDought]

Can it heat a small bedroom? We do got a heater at iur daughters bedroom.

[@masongovender9231]

Excellent video, have you made a Dehumidifier with Claypots? Where I live humidity is our biggest nightmare.

[@desertsun02]

hi and thanks. i haven't made a dehumidifier with clay pots. (but if you can describe how it's made, i'll certainly try to make and post a video about it). sounds like a great idea.

[@fullcontactkarate2912]

Where can you get copper like that? I have been to 2 local hard ware stores and they don’t have it

[@anything6398]

You can get more heat if you put a pot on top?

[@MaximusJohal]

Could we use Aluminium strips to do the same as the copper? or would it corrode etc? Prices of copper in the UK is expensive even the cut offs.

[@jennalindsey5290]

Sand from the beach? (With debree ok) Heat up a house? Place in fireplace? Place on what

[@lunarminx]

For the bigger pit add a fourth strip, back to back with one so a candle can be in the center creating a flat top for a Peltier fan. Looks like I'm going to home Depot this coming weekend. So far I have 1300 hours worth of the tea lights.

[@rosehippyguy3402]

Do you know whether the gradient of the sand would make a difference? Finer sand absorbing quicker? Just wondering. Incredible design. Looks cool too👌

[@desertsun02]

hi and thank you. i'm not sure if the type of sand makes much of a difference but i would guess the finer the sand the more heat it holds (because the grains fit more closely together). i used a fine off-white 'play sand'. it's cleaned and filtered (usually used in sandboxes etc.)

[@rosehippyguy3402]

@@desertsun02 thank you 👊☯️👊

[@muskcoder6367]

Can you use one of the heat powered fans on that? Maybe placing a flat piece of copper on top of the three pieces of copper.

[@desertsun02]

i couldn't say for sure but it might work good

[@gulumayroz]

Love your channel!! Here's a challenge for you.. Heating air space is such a waste... compare to...say ...hot water bottle...placed to heat arthritis...which is amazing efficient... But ...what other (efficient) ways are there to heat the body... Directly...without wasting heat on air space... Maybe...heated seat...?? The point is , though, not to have EMF near the body...not go mess with the body natural electricity...

[@gulumayroz]

I know infrared radiation is not heating the air...so...how to generate infrared heat (radiation), without wasting energy on the other 2 types of heat transmission (conductive...and ... what's the third called...about hot air...??...on second thought...i believe it's called convection...

[@MisterGreenFingers]

If the pot would have some candles underneath then it would retain allot more heat in the sand hearing from both sides

[@123Goldhunter11]

With our country going over the edge this could be very important this winter. Also some carbon water filters as the poor people of North Carolina are finding out. No one is coming to help. Out tax dollar have all been given away by traitors. And half the country will vote for them again.

[@jcon6115]

Hi Desert Sun 02, I have some scrap copper water pipe I was going to recycle. Would that work as an efficient substitute?

[@Teknopottu]

You did not ask this from me but I'd hammer it flat and bend it to get more efficient heat transfer than thinner plates. Of course it depends on the size of the pipe.

[@jjgriffin3275]

??? what about using copper tubing instead of flat ? running the copper tubing coil down in the sand?

[@Factory051]

Has anyone considered hollow copper tube..? 8 or 10 mm.

[@aries37]

Work with an alcohol flame as well?

[@desertsun02]

i bet it would. might get even hotter than the candles make it if you used an alcohol lamp.

[@anio6865]

What gauge ? And does the copper need to go all the way to the bottom ? This is nice. I want to add this to my chiminea...

[@desertsun02]

hi. it's 24 gauge. it doesn't have to go all the way to the bottom

[@twistedsphere]

I don't know enough about physics to qualify my skepticism, but it would have been interesting to see how many degrees one of those 3-candle pots could raise the temperature of a room.

[@carlgriebno5691]

A few tenths, if that. A single tea light produces about 70 BTU. The copper piece that is exposed will probably dissipate half of that. Figure the sand needs to be heated, there will be very little left to warm anything. Figure on 80 to a hundred THOUSAND BTU’s to heat an average size home. You get the point!

[@twistedsphere]

@@carlgriebno5691 That pretty much describes the root of my doubt. While the copper strips might guide some of the heat down into the sand, they don't increase or multiply the source output. The video probably should have reminded everyone that there is no such thing as free energy and to set their expectations accordingly.

[@educational4434]

​@@twistedsphereIt's not about increasing or multiplying the source output. It's about storing it and radiating it better than a candle can do on its own bleeding its heat upwards into the air

[@Salteesailor]

What happens if you connect battery wires to the copper strip? Will it heat the sand?

[@RossmanGarage]

Any food dehydrator videos coming up?

[@kristimoman4159]

How well would it heat up 35 foot room,in emergency?

[@clumsyzombie3144]

Fascinating build that I would love to try! However I would be really careful of using cheap paraffin wax candles. They're made from petroleum and releases carcinogens and toxins, creating indoor pollution. Better to use beeswax or other natural fuels for healthier air in your home.

[@christiand2426]

I am wondering how do pot heaters make candles more efficient? The heat gets released either way, just slower in this case. Or am I mistaken?

[@desertsun02]

hi. without the copper and sand, most of the heat from the candles (90% of it) will just go straight up to the ceiling where you won't feel it. using the cooper allows you to 'grab' that heat and store it in the sand (where it will radiate the heat slowly into the living space (the bottom half of the room) over time).

[@Voteckful]

Put another pot on top, a slightly larger one with a gap so air can get in

[@desertsun02]

hi. i'll try it 🙂

[@lewcrowley3710]

IR Thermometers measure best against dark surfaces. I see people trying to measure boiling water by aiming at the water. Uh, OK. Thermodynamically, you are trying to transfer the heat by conduction into the sand. Basically a heat 'battery'. It then releases the heat, slowly, over time. The copper sticking out of the sand will radiate some of the flame heat besides conduction into the sand. Perhaps giving an immediate 'hand warmer', but decreasing the efficiency. I would insulate the top and side of the copper strips and just allow the flame to impinge on the bottom of the horizontal suface. An inexpensive way to improve the copper strips is to attach pennies (old ones) to the part of the strip that is in the sand using thermally conductive epoxy. That is, if the goal is to 'bury' the heat into the sand and pot.

[@lewcrowley3710]

And once the candles go out, the copper WILL conduct heat upwards out of the pot. Works both way.

[@traceypotts9425]

Hi there brill idea what's the thickness of the copper

[@desertsun02]

it's 24-gauge copper (99.9% pure).

[@FightCollective]

Why not make the copper plates boxed at the top with just the front open for air and lighting the candles... catch the heat escaping from the sides,.

[@Burgercards]

what type of sand? would finer particle size be better?

[@desertsun02]

hi. i used an off-white fine 'play sand' (generally used in sandboxes). very fine, clean and filtered. almost has a 'soft' feel to it.

[@mrsillywalk]

I bet someone out there will call this a "Sand Battery".

[@denisemccluskey1668]

How do you keep the sand free coming out of the bottom of the pot?

[@desertsun02]

hi. the easiest way is to use a piece of duct tape to cover the hole.

[@David-jx4gw]

Bung up the hole with a cork.

[@bigtom4709]

Think this would work with a stove fan on top?

[@desertsun02]

hi. it would work for sure (but you'd want to use a lightweight one or it might press the copper down onto the candle flame over time).

[@Bradwick1]

How long does the sand stay above 100F after the candles go out?

[@desertsun02]

hi. i'll have to test that to see (but it heats for several hours even after candles go out). i'd guess at least 3 hours

[@Alaskaskydiver]

How much area will that heat?

[@trevermccall6762]

👍

[@winstonsmith935]

How about burying a 12 volt ceramic ripple elements in the sand. They should heat up in a hurry. If they heat the Bricks on the other project , it should heat the sand? Worth an experiment.

[@desertsun02]

hi. that would work. i never used the ripple ones in sand or gravel because they are generally made with fins and used with a fan (but you could). i go with the ceramic ones with an aluminum shell. no fins on those and they have the same type of ceramic element. i just re-read your comment, looks like you were talking about the ptc ones (with aluminum shell). those were the ones i used with the bricks. those work good in sand for sure

[@winstonsmith935]

@@desertsun02 yep use the ones you used with the Bricks, and put them right up against a a copper strip, 4 per can should do it. Then put some copper strips on the top and use a heat driven fan to blow hot air. Should work well.

[@desertsun02]

hi. i see what you're saying. yep, i have run the heat fans with the ptc elements. all you need is 2 of them and the fans will crank. you don't even need copper. you can just set the fan right on the elements.

[@winstonsmith935]

@@desertsun02 Glad you’re doing all the experiments that I need answers for, I’m looking to get my 10x12 greenhouse to 16C so I can grow cool season crops in the winter. I have a VEVO SS tent stove, could fill it with Sand and put 6 or 8 PTC elements in there, and a Fan on the top. Other Alternative is to make a vegetable oil Burner for the Stove, but would be more expensive to run, I could use solar Panels (200 wats) on the greenhouse to run the PTC elements off a battery bank, sun is free, and the greenhouse faces due south.

[@peggyalbright3745]

Where do you get copper like that?

[@desertsun02]

hi. amazon is the best place i know of

[@jonnygrowlately]

Now we have to figure how to make candles that will burn for at least a week at a time....

[@desertsun02]

that would be sweet.

[@jonnygrowlately]

@@desertsun02 ..would proly make a lot of rich local oil men poor and put a nice dent in gas & electric profits if most of us adopted your ingenuity ...i think i can speak for many when i say you are greatly appreciated dude👍

[@janetcalvert3959]

There are videos on you tube showing how to make candles that burn approximately 100 hrs. One could possibly use them, burying them in the sand. I'm gonna try it out.

[@susanramares2876]

If you are talking about the crisco candles, they burn down and won't be close to the copper for the full 100 hours.

[@grayrecluse7496]

Spent all that $ to heat 3'.

[@desertsun02]

hi. doesn't really cost very much. about 6 bucks worth of copper (about 1/3rd of a pound), $1.00 for the flowerpot (dollar store) , and tealights are about 10 cents each. plus some sand. maybe 10 bucks for everything.

[@broder1929]

Great vid- as always IDEA- put twice as many - facing inwards Put inside an insulating box-made from plasterboard/ sheetrock,with rockwool insulation on 3 sides of the pot On the 4th side, put a slow fan, powered by a peltier Then measure temperature at 3 foot distance,every hour for 8 hours PS please get as close as possible when shooting temperature gauge,etc On a small phone, very hard to see 🤯🤯🤯🤯👍👍👍👍👍🚀🚀🚀🚀🥳🥳🥳😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@lunarminx]

💙