Forums > Help! > Burning in your poi
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2 posts
2 posts
Posted:
Can somebody tell me how to burn in your new poi?
Have been twirling for ages but never done it, apparently it helps the wick burn for longer....
Can somebody tell me how to burn in your new poi?
Have been twirling for ages but never done it, apparently it helps the wick burn for longer....
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
Wick initiation procedure? Any suggestions? 
I'm not familiar with that, usually I put them into Kero and hold a lighter underneath... mumble a mantra of: Burn Baby Burn and hope they stay lit...
[excuse me for sounding sarcastic
]
EDITED_BY: FireTom (1177849267)
Wick initiation procedure? Any suggestions? I'm not familiar with that, usually I put them into Kero and hold a lighter underneath... mumble a mantra of: Burn Baby Burn and hope they stay lit... [excuse me for sounding sarcastic
]EDITED_BY: FireTom (1177849267)
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
"burning in" new wicks, also known as 'curing' them, is an urban myth.
You soak them in kero and then light them, it's that simple.
The effort saved in not wasting your time 'curing' your wicks can then be much better invested in reading a few articles on spinning fire safely.
(that last comment is for beginners, I appreciate that you stated you'd been spinning a while).
Written by: Grace_under_fire
Can somebody tell me how to burn in your new poi?
Have been twirling for ages but never done it, apparently it helps the wick burn for longer....
"burning in" new wicks, also known as 'curing' them, is an urban myth.
You soak them in kero and then light them, it's that simple.
The effort saved in not wasting your time 'curing' your wicks can then be much better invested in reading a few articles on spinning fire safely.
(that last comment is for beginners, I appreciate that you stated you'd been spinning a while).
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
Posted:
Pretty much the only thing you can do is on a new unburnt set of poi, leave them to soak in the fuel a bit longer, 5 mins is enough
Pretty much the only thing you can do is on a new unburnt set of poi, leave them to soak in the fuel a bit longer, 5 mins is enough
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind
Give a man a fish and he'll eat 4 a day hit a man with a brick and you can have all his fish and his wife
"Will's to pretty for prison" - Simian
newbie
2 posts
2 posts
Posted:
Well this was told to me from the dude at juggle art in melbourne (those who live here will know what i'm on about)and I figure that someone who works with fire toys everyday would make some sense. I've read up on it a bit since my last post, it seems there is no hard evidence either way, so thats good enough for me.
Onewheeldave, thanks for your opinion, but you could do with coming across a lot less arrogant and patronising. Just a thought, absolutely no offense intended.
Well this was told to me from the dude at juggle art in melbourne (those who live here will know what i'm on about)and I figure that someone who works with fire toys everyday would make some sense. I've read up on it a bit since my last post, it seems there is no hard evidence either way, so thats good enough for me.
Onewheeldave, thanks for your opinion, but you could do with coming across a lot less arrogant and patronising. Just a thought, absolutely no offense intended.
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
and I though I did 
well, still learning
it's a myth, there is no such thing as to prepare wick virginity to get lost *shakes head* I'm getting lost myself here and was not prepared for that
and I though I did well, still learning it's a myth, there is no such thing as to prepare wick virginity to get lost *shakes head* I'm getting lost myself here and was not prepared for that the best smiles are the ones you lead to
GOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
I still cure my wicks.
From concentrate.com.au in Melbourne
NEW WICKS
Step 1-Totally submerge the wicks in the fuel until the bubbles stop.
Step 2-Shake staff vigorously removing excess fuel.
Step 3-Ignite and blow out each wick five times (most people only do three, use a moist towel to put out flames). This cures the fibres in the wick.
Step 4-Repeat steps 1+2 and your staff is ready for twirling.
- Blowing out your wicks before all the fuel is consumed prevents the burning of the wick itself.
-To extend the life of your wicks, dip them again after you have extinguished them for the last time. This stops the wick from smouldering and wasting away. (Don't do this with white gas)
cheers
I still cure my wicks.
From concentrate.com.au in Melbourne
NEW WICKS
Step 1-Totally submerge the wicks in the fuel until the bubbles stop.
Step 2-Shake staff vigorously removing excess fuel.
Step 3-Ignite and blow out each wick five times (most people only do three, use a moist towel to put out flames). This cures the fibres in the wick.
Step 4-Repeat steps 1+2 and your staff is ready for twirling.
- Blowing out your wicks before all the fuel is consumed prevents the burning of the wick itself.
-To extend the life of your wicks, dip them again after you have extinguished them for the last time. This stops the wick from smouldering and wasting away. (Don't do this with white gas)
cheers
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
I agree with the last two points about extinguishing the wicks before they go out by themselves and then, if using kero, dunking them to stop smouldering (never doing this with white gas of course, as it may ignite from the hot wicks).
On the grounds that it makes sense (not dunking the wicks leads to visible smouldering which implies wick damage).
Some do dispute that it extends wick life- I believe NYC argued that there was no real evidence and that, in his experience, undunked wicks lasted as long as dunked ones.
Personally I thought that perhaps the fact he used white gas with lower burning temp may have accounted for his experience.
However, personally I try to dunk mine after each burn.
Where 'curing' virgin wicks are concerend, I never do that, partly cos I think it has no benefits (and can think of no reason why it should), partly cos all the many wicks I've used through around a decade of fire spinning/juggling have done fine without it.
Written by: Stone
I still cure my wicks.
From concentrate.com.au in Melbourne
NEW WICKS
Step 1-Totally submerge the wicks in the fuel until the bubbles stop.
Step 2-Shake staff vigorously removing excess fuel.
Step 3-Ignite and blow out each wick five times (most people only do three, use a moist towel to put out flames). This cures the fibres in the wick.
Step 4-Repeat steps 1+2 and your staff is ready for twirling.
- Blowing out your wicks before all the fuel is consumed prevents the burning of the wick itself.
-To extend the life of your wicks, dip them again after you have extinguished them for the last time. This stops the wick from smouldering and wasting away. (Don't do this with white gas)
cheers
I agree with the last two points about extinguishing the wicks before they go out by themselves and then, if using kero, dunking them to stop smouldering (never doing this with white gas of course, as it may ignite from the hot wicks).
On the grounds that it makes sense (not dunking the wicks leads to visible smouldering which implies wick damage).
Some do dispute that it extends wick life- I believe NYC argued that there was no real evidence and that, in his experience, undunked wicks lasted as long as dunked ones.
Personally I thought that perhaps the fact he used white gas with lower burning temp may have accounted for his experience.
However, personally I try to dunk mine after each burn.
Where 'curing' virgin wicks are concerend, I never do that, partly cos I think it has no benefits (and can think of no reason why it should), partly cos all the many wicks I've used through around a decade of fire spinning/juggling have done fine without it.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
How can blowing out and re-igniting possibly cure KevlaR fibres?????? Anyone? sounds like a hoax, but hey...
Agreed on dunking after burn, blowing out flames and smoldering... but if you leave your wick soaked and go for air travel, you might run in trouble (i.e. have your toys refused).
How can blowing out and re-igniting possibly cure KevlaR fibres?????? Anyone?
sounds like a hoax, but hey... Agreed on dunking after burn, blowing out flames and smoldering... but if you leave your wick soaked and go for air travel, you might run in trouble (i.e. have your toys refused).
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
GOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Dave, I’m not sure if curing wicks makes any difference. I do it because I think (no proof) that it might make a difference. I will ask the crew from Concentrate why they recommend curing next time they are in town.
Perhaps you might not have needed as many wicks if you had cured them
I have always though white gas burnt hot.
cheers
Dave, I’m not sure if curing wicks makes any difference. I do it because I think (no proof) that it might make a difference. I will ask the crew from Concentrate why they recommend curing next time they are in town.
Perhaps you might not have needed as many wicks if you had cured them
I have always though white gas burnt hot.
cheers
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
I think that white gas ignites at a lower temp than kero (hence the reason it's more volatile and why hot wicks shouldn't be dunked in it), but that it burns at a lower temp- I could be wrong, corrections welcome.
LIke I said before, part of the reason I dunk my wicks post-burn is that there's some sense/reason in doing so- the rational being that it stops visible smouldering and hence wick damage.
Part of the reason I don't 'cure' virgin wicks is that I can think of no rational as to why it would help, neither have I heard one advanced by others; in fact I cannot even imagine what such a rational would consist of.
Nevertheless, i could be wrong and , you're absolutely right that, had I cured my wicks they may have lasted even longer than they actually did.
However, it's equally possible that, if curing can have an effect (which I personally don't believe it does) that that effect could be negative i.e. the wicks last less than uncured ones.
Written by: Stone
Dave, I’m not sure if curing wicks makes any difference. I do it because I think (no proof) that it might make a difference. I will ask the crew from Concentrate why they recommend curing next time they are in town.
Perhaps you might not have needed as many wicks if you had cured them
I have always though white gas burnt hot.
cheers
I think that white gas ignites at a lower temp than kero (hence the reason it's more volatile and why hot wicks shouldn't be dunked in it), but that it burns at a lower temp- I could be wrong, corrections welcome.
LIke I said before, part of the reason I dunk my wicks post-burn is that there's some sense/reason in doing so- the rational being that it stops visible smouldering and hence wick damage.
Part of the reason I don't 'cure' virgin wicks is that I can think of no rational as to why it would help, neither have I heard one advanced by others; in fact I cannot even imagine what such a rational would consist of.
Nevertheless, i could be wrong and , you're absolutely right that, had I cured my wicks they may have lasted even longer than they actually did.
However, it's equally possible that, if curing can have an effect (which I personally don't believe it does) that that effect could be negative i.e. the wicks last less than uncured ones.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
Dave, to be honest I don’t think curing would make much difference. I do it because I'm looking at me new $70ea juggling torches, and I just want the best for them.
I think white gas, lighter fluids and shellite type fuels ignite at a much lower temperature, but burn very hot.
Good point. The cured wicks could last less than uncured ones. For the ultimate test we could cure one poi, use the other as a control and see what happens. Better I’ll ask Callam for an explanation, next time I see him. Don’t hold your breath, but I'll keep you posted.
EDITED_BY: Stone (1177930746)
Dave, to be honest I don’t think curing would make much difference. I do it because I'm looking at me new $70ea juggling torches, and I just want the best for them.
I think white gas, lighter fluids and shellite type fuels ignite at a much lower temperature, but burn very hot.
Good point. The cured wicks could last less than uncured ones. For the ultimate test we could cure one poi, use the other as a control and see what happens. Better I’ll ask Callam for an explanation, next time I see him. Don’t hold your breath, but I'll keep you posted.
EDITED_BY: Stone (1177930746)
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
SILVER Member
veteran
1,237 posts
Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
veteran
1,237 posts
Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
It takes less heat to ignite them because they are more volatile, hence they burn more rapidly (violently) putting out more heat, not less.
It takes less heat to ignite them because they are more volatile, hence they burn more rapidly (violently) putting out more heat, not less.
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