Hunter's portable heater

It's that time of the year when hunters throughout Southeast Missouri hit the woods. Here's an experiment that will keep them warm as they search for that big buck.

Do not perform this experiment without adult supervision.

Ingredients

• Metal coffee can
• 1 roll of bathroom tissue
• 1 bottle of 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol
• Matches

Instructions

• STEP 1: Remove the cardboard core from the bathroom tissue and place the tissue inside the coffee can.
• STEP 2: Pour the alcohol inside the can and allow the bathroom tissue to soak up the alcohol.
• STEP 3: Using the matches, ignite the bathroom tissue.

Explanation

The bathroom tissue acts as a wick soaking up the alcohol. Once you light the wick your heater will burn for up to 24 hours.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator for the Bootheel Youth Museum. Check out his science blog "Hooked On Science" at jasonthescienceguysblog.blogspot.com for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@bootheelyouthmuseum.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.