Forums > Help! > questions after first burn
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
stranger
7 posts
Location: USA
stranger
7 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Hey folks -
Got my poi months ago, just did my first burn yesterday. I have some comments, and a few questions that I couldn't find answers to elsewhere.
COMMENTS:
I had been practicing mostly with dry cathedral-style fire heads. After I soaked and got ready to light, I realized a small mistake I had made; I forgot to account for the extra weight due to fuel! I think I'll be practicing using water-soaked heads for a while, just to build the extra arm strength. Any advice on better ways to do this would be gladly accepted.Fire is LOUD. I knew that from reading it, but I really didn't expect it to be roaring.
QUESTIONS:
After reading about fuels, I decided to go with Colemans lamp fuel. I noticed two things about it. Firstly, its waaay the heck flammable... it literally exploded into flame when lit. (Scared the heck out of my safety.) Second, it evaporates extremely quickly. This makes me wonder: how long should it last? When I spun yesterday, I lit up, spun for maybe a minute, and then put the flames out, and they wouldn't light again, so I guessed the fuel was used up. Is that normal?After my burn, the wicks were somewhat blackened, particularly at the tops. I tried washing the soot off with water, but it didn't come off. However, it doesn't seem like they burned themselves, since there's no ash and the texture still feels correct. Is that normal?
Thanks in advance!
Hey folks -
Got my poi months ago, just did my first burn yesterday. I have some comments, and a few questions that I couldn't find answers to elsewhere.
COMMENTS:
I had been practicing mostly with dry cathedral-style fire heads. After I soaked and got ready to light, I realized a small mistake I had made; I forgot to account for the extra weight due to fuel! I think I'll be practicing using water-soaked heads for a while, just to build the extra arm strength. Any advice on better ways to do this would be gladly accepted.Fire is LOUD. I knew that from reading it, but I really didn't expect it to be roaring.
QUESTIONS:
After reading about fuels, I decided to go with Colemans lamp fuel. I noticed two things about it. Firstly, its waaay the heck flammable... it literally exploded into flame when lit. (Scared the heck out of my safety.) Second, it evaporates extremely quickly. This makes me wonder: how long should it last? When I spun yesterday, I lit up, spun for maybe a minute, and then put the flames out, and they wouldn't light again, so I guessed the fuel was used up. Is that normal?After my burn, the wicks were somewhat blackened, particularly at the tops. I tried washing the soot off with water, but it didn't come off. However, it doesn't seem like they burned themselves, since there's no ash and the texture still feels correct. Is that normal?
Thanks in advance!
BRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
Posted:
I'd be careful using water on your poi heads, 'cos if they're not totally dry, they can be hard to light, and spark at you when you do light them. Which isn't really desirable.
It's normal for your poi to blacken when you burn them, it won't really fully clean off, but it will make other stuff go black if you don't cover the heads. I stick baby socks on my poi heads, once they've cooled.
As regards the fuel- I've never used Coleman's lamp fuel, but that really doesn't sound right. A fuel that explodes is not good. Is there more than one Colemans fuel, and if so, are you sure you got the right one?
I'd be careful using water on your poi heads, 'cos if they're not totally dry, they can be hard to light, and spark at you when you do light them. Which isn't really desirable.
It's normal for your poi to blacken when you burn them, it won't really fully clean off, but it will make other stuff go black if you don't cover the heads. I stick baby socks on my poi heads, once they've cooled.
As regards the fuel- I've never used Coleman's lamp fuel, but that really doesn't sound right. A fuel that explodes is not good. Is there more than one Colemans fuel, and if so, are you sure you got the right one?
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!
If that's okay with you?
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
I'm guessing he got the regular coleman camp fuel, the way he described how it lights is the same as it does..
I'm guessing he got the regular coleman camp fuel, the way he described how it lights is the same as it does..
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Hi Eykanal,
Firstly, I'd wouldn't recommend soaking your poi in water at all.
I've left mine out in the rain once and it takes AGES for them to recover. Likewise, I wouldn't even wash the soot off them - if you're concerned about getting dirty, then cover the cool wicks in a sock or poi-head cover when not in fire use.
The soot is mostly residue from the fuel burning, not the wicks. Looked after well, the wicks will last you years.
If using paraffin/kero - Many people will give their poi a quick flash-dunk in fuel after they've gone out to stop them smoking/smouldering as this prevents the wicks degrading. Only do this with high flash point fuels and only do it if the fuel is deep so so covers the wicks entirely.
Maybe look into using paraffin/kerosene instead of lamp-oil. It's cheaper and for the occasional burn the slightly dirtier burn shouldn't worry you too much. But it's much cooler, less volatile and should scare you slightly less.
EDITED_BY: Durbs (1242311410)
EDIT_REASON: Added note about flash-dunk
Hi Eykanal,
Firstly, I'd wouldn't recommend soaking your poi in water at all.
I've left mine out in the rain once and it takes AGES for them to recover. Likewise, I wouldn't even wash the soot off them - if you're concerned about getting dirty, then cover the cool wicks in a sock or poi-head cover when not in fire use.
The soot is mostly residue from the fuel burning, not the wicks. Looked after well, the wicks will last you years.
If using paraffin/kero - Many people will give their poi a quick flash-dunk in fuel after they've gone out to stop them smoking/smouldering as this prevents the wicks degrading. Only do this with high flash point fuels and only do it if the fuel is deep so so covers the wicks entirely.
Maybe look into using paraffin/kerosene instead of lamp-oil. It's cheaper and for the occasional burn the slightly dirtier burn shouldn't worry you too much. But it's much cooler, less volatile and should scare you slightly less.
EDITED_BY: Durbs (1242311410)
EDIT_REASON: Added note about flash-dunk
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Posted:
I've never had it "literally explode" but it sure does light with more enthusiasim than kero does and it's not something you want to be holding up at face level and spark with a lighter.
This property is a real advantage when spinning in cold weather especially if you're performing and don't have the time to sit there and wait for your wicks to become "fully involved"
I second the comments on the water idea...bad, just estimate the weight of your wicks with fuel and make up a practice set of poi heads that equal the fuelled weight. Failing that, a set of covers equal in weight to the fuel absorbed should do the trick.
DO NOT do that dunking the smouldering wicks into the fuel thing with white gas. If you're concerned about your wicks lasting longer, burn kero instead as you can do the dunk thing and it burns cooler than white gas.
I've never had it "literally explode" but it sure does light with more enthusiasim than kero does and it's not something you want to be holding up at face level and spark with a lighter.
This property is a real advantage when spinning in cold weather especially if you're performing and don't have the time to sit there and wait for your wicks to become "fully involved"
I second the comments on the water idea...bad, just estimate the weight of your wicks with fuel and make up a practice set of poi heads that equal the fuelled weight. Failing that, a set of covers equal in weight to the fuel absorbed should do the trick.
DO NOT do that dunking the smouldering wicks into the fuel thing with white gas. If you're concerned about your wicks lasting longer, burn kero instead as you can do the dunk thing and it burns cooler than white gas.
SILVER Member
stranger
7 posts
Location: USA
stranger
7 posts
Location: USA
Posted:
Thanks everyone for the feedback! I agree with you guys about... it's taken them until tonight to really dry out, and I missed a good chance to do a burn because they were still wet. I'll look into the fuel suggestions as well.. I like the way Stout put it above, "literally explode" is strong but "light with extreme enthusiasm" paints a nice picture. Thanks again for the comments!
Thanks everyone for the feedback! I agree with you guys about... it's taken them until tonight to really dry out, and I missed a good chance to do a burn because they were still wet. I'll look into the fuel suggestions as well.. I like the way Stout put it above, "literally explode" is strong but "light with extreme enthusiasm" paints a nice picture. Thanks again for the comments!
PLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
As a mini testament to the awesomeness of kevlar longejivity, i still have the original wicks on my double staves that i bought back in 2006.
keep them dry and covered. The only instance you should ever wash them is if you need to travel with them on a plane and there is no other alternative to transport the wicks.
As a mini testament to the awesomeness of kevlar longejivity, i still have the original wicks on my double staves that i bought back in 2006.
keep them dry and covered. The only instance you should ever wash them is if you need to travel with them on a plane and there is no other alternative to transport the wicks.
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Ooops - Well spotted Stout - large disclaimer now inserted.
*slaps self on wrist*
Ooops - Well spotted Stout - large disclaimer now inserted.
*slaps self on wrist*
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
GOLD Member
Pyromancer extraordinair
88 posts
Location: Netherlands
Pyromancer extraordinair
88 posts
Location: Netherlands
Posted:
Just for pracicing wit wetness...
You could always wrap the heads in plastic foil, the one you use to cover up your leftovers.. Take two sport socks, soak them and put them over your wicks.
It would add a little less weight then fully liquided heads, but they also give you a good payback for when you hit yourself.
Just for pracicing wit wetness...
You could always wrap the heads in plastic foil, the one you use to cover up your leftovers.. Take two sport socks, soak them and put them over your wicks.
It would add a little less weight then fully liquided heads, but they also give you a good payback for when you hit yourself.
What is life, without a little risk!
GOLD Member
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Posted:
How about making an extra heavy set of practice poi. One heavier than your fire set so that when you light up you have extra control. Kinda like when baseball player take a few swings with weights on their bats before stepping up.
How about making an extra heavy set of practice poi. One heavier than your fire set so that when you light up you have extra control. Kinda like when baseball player take a few swings with weights on their bats before stepping up.
Don't mind me, just passing through.
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
or just use slightly weighted wick covers.
or just use slightly weighted wick covers.
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
Originally Posted By: eykanalit's taken them until tonight to really dry out, and I missed a good chance to do a burn because they were still wet.
you can really push it by repeatedly soak them and light (which they won't) and repeating the procedure... but I doubt that you'll have a lot of fun doing that.
However you may not want to alternate between lamp oil and Colemans... and definitely some ppl will take it seriously if you dip kero-poi in their Colemans container - so beware once you've changed fuel supply.
enjoy the burns
Originally Posted By: eykanalit's taken them until tonight to really dry out, and I missed a good chance to do a burn because they were still wet.
you can really push it by repeatedly soak them and light (which they won't) and repeating the procedure... but I doubt that you'll have a lot of fun doing that.
However you may not want to alternate between lamp oil and Colemans... and definitely some ppl will take it seriously if you dip kero-poi in their Colemans container - so beware once you've changed fuel supply.
enjoy the burns
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
GOLD Member
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Posted:
It gets some kero in the colemans and makes it act funny...
I guess I'm one of those people, lol. Experiment with fuel cocktails. There's a thread on here somewhere. It helped me a lot when I was first starting. I use different fuels for different props too. Colemans on a staff is a must for a wicked burnoff. Some kero or paraffin in poi helps it have a nicer flame and burn a bit longer I think.
It gets some kero in the colemans and makes it act funny...
I guess I'm one of those people, lol. Experiment with fuel cocktails. There's a thread on here somewhere. It helped me a lot when I was first starting. I use different fuels for different props too. Colemans on a staff is a must for a wicked burnoff. Some kero or paraffin in poi helps it have a nicer flame and burn a bit longer I think.
Don't mind me, just passing through.
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
"Colemans on a staff is a must for a wicked burnoff."
What? since when? I get way better burn offs using Kerosene. A much darker orange flame with HUGE fireballs.
"Colemans on a staff is a must for a wicked burnoff."
What? since when? I get way better burn offs using Kerosene. A much darker orange flame with HUGE fireballs.
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
GOLD Member
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Mission: Ignition
534 posts
Location: Central New Jersey, USA
Posted:
Granted staff is not my strong point, but I get much more consistant burn offs with colemans than kero. The flame is really nice looking both day and night with kero as well. Another plus is during the day kero gives off smoke that looks pretty sweet in the sun.
Granted staff is not my strong point, but I get much more consistant burn offs with colemans than kero. The flame is really nice looking both day and night with kero as well. Another plus is during the day kero gives off smoke that looks pretty sweet in the sun.
Don't mind me, just passing through.
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