Terracotta Heater Debunked
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Recently there’s been a new craze running around the internet. That craze is for terracotta heaters. The claim is that these heaters are easy to use, cheaper, and keep you warm throughout the winter.
Are terracotta heaters safe to use? Reviews for them are mixed. Some say that they work well, while others say not so much. This article will look into the heaters to decide whether the hype for this heater is justified or not.
Is a Terracotta Heater Easy to Use?
Terracotta heaters are pretty simple to make. The only things you need are:
- One large terracotta pot
- Two candles
- Plate to hold your candles
- Something to prop up your pots (like bricks)
After you’ve gathered your items, the rest is easy. It’s as simple as setting up the plate with the bricks, lighting the candles, and placing the pot on top.
If you already have the items at home, it takes less than 10 minutes to make. Compared to some other DIY projects, that’s a steal. There are more complicated ways to create the heater to make it last longer, but if you want to know how easy it can be, this is it.
How Convenient is a Terracotta Heater?
In terms of pieces needed to construct it, it’s pretty convenient, mainly because you might even have the items in your house already. So that makes it a perfect solution if your power gets cut off in the middle of winter.
The issue is that when people talk about terracotta heaters, they make it sound like the heater will heat your entire room. In actuality, you’ll feel most of the heater’s benefits if you stay next to it, and it doesn’t emit heat as much as they trap heat within.
Is Terracotta Heater Expensive?
If you’re looking to buy a premade terracotta heater, they can go for over $100. Luckily for you, there are tons of DIY videos to show you how to create one for cheap. On average, you can purchase terracotta pots for $1-$5, and you can buy 100 tea lights for around $16.
You can also buy bricks for less than a dollar per brick. As for the plate, you can use anything that’s not flammable. You can find cheap plates at your local thrift store if you don’t want to use a plate you own. So, in the end, you can make a heater for less than $30.
Where Should You Buy a Terracotta Heater?
If you’re looking for a nice aesthetic heater, Etsy has many different options for it. Or you can go onto Amazon to find some terracotta heaters. However, remember that these heaters will be significantly more expensive than making them yourself.
If you decide to make it yourself, Home Depot, Lowes, and other hardware stores will have most of the things you’re looking for. Walmart is another store known to sell all the items needed. If you don’t want to go out, then Amazon can become your best friend again.
Things You Need to Know Before You Buy a Terracotta Heater?
Terracotta heaters also come with some dangers that you should be aware of. One of the biggest concerns is accidentally knocking it over. Since most benefits come with being close by, it’s practically asking for an accident to happen.
Since you have to use multiple candles for the heater, a bigger flame might come with it. If you knock it over and things catch on fire, you also won’t be able to use water to put the fire out due to the oil. The best way to put out the fire is to suffocate it using a fire extinguisher.
Final Thoughts
Terracotta heaters took the internet by storm because they are super easy and inexpensive to make. You can make these heaters for less than $30. The issue is that many people who made them gave the impression that these heaters would heat your entire room.
In reality, that’s not the case. You have to sit close to the heater to feel any benefits. Being so close to a heater that uses open flames makes you more likely to knock it over accidentally. If that happens, suffocate the fire instead of using water.
If you want to create your terracotta heater, you can pick up the items needed at hardware stores or Walmart, and you might even have the items at your home already.
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