Terra Cotta Space Heater

by Amanda C, Hometalk Team

10 Materials

$10-20

30 Minutes

Easy

Ok, I have to admit, this is pretty thrifty. This space heater is a clean and cheap energy alternative and also a pretty fun looking little piece. If you live in a place where one room tends to get colder than others, or you want to save a little cash money, or are like me and live in a space where you can't control your heat, this is great! This space heater is made from some simple terra cotta pots and hardware and can really heat up a space on the cheap.
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SUPPLIES:

-6" Terra Cotta Pot

-6" Terra Cotta Saucer

-5" Terra Cotta Pot

-1/2" x 12" Threaded Rod

-Tealights

-Drill with Masonry Bit (I use this drill in almost all of my projects. I absolutely love it! You can buy one on Amazon.)

-14 1/2" nuts

-11 1/2" washers

-11-12 link Chain

-Garden Hook (not pictured above)

STEP 1: **Before screwing anything onto the rod make sure that you use a lighter to burn off any oils from the rod. Sometimes the rods are greased and this could be a fire hazard. If you use a lighter and heat up each section it should burn any off just in case. Screw the nuts onto the rod

Take two bolts and screw them onto your threaded rod about an inch down.

Twist the nuts in the opposite direction to lock them into place.

STEP 2: Secure the link chain

Take a link chain (about 11-12 links) and place each end link around the threaded rod and secure it into place with another nut.

STEP 3: Place a washer under the nuts

Now grab a washer and feed the threaded rod through the hole so that the washer rests under the 2 nuts from step 1.

STEP 4: Place the rod through the terra cotta pot

Grab your 6" terra cotta pot and feed the rod through the drain hole so that the open end rests away from the chain.

STEP 5: Take another washer and place it on the rod.

Follow this washer up with another nut to hold it and the pot in place.

STEP 6: Add the other terra cotta pot

Place another washer over the rod followed by the 5" terra cotta pot. Make sure the pot faces the same way as the first, so that it rests on the inside of the 6" pot. You're basically placing one inside the other, but you're spacing it and securing it with washers and nuts.

STEP 7: Secure the terra cotta pot

Place another washer over the rod so it rests against the 5" pot. Secure this pot and washer in place with 2 nuts twisting them in opposite direction once they are in place to lock them in.

STEP 8: Add more washers and nuts

Place another washer followed by a nut around the rod. Repeat this 6 times.

Once all six sets of washer and nuts have been attached add one more bolt to the end to keep them in place. Twist the last two nuts in opposite direction to create a lock.

STEP 9: Drill a hole throught the terra cotta plate

Grab your terra cotta 6" saucer and, using your drill, drill a hole through the center that is large enough for the threaded rod to fit through.

STEP 10: Secure the saucer onto the rod

Once you feed the rod through the hole you made in the saucer secure it in place with yet another washer and nut.

The saucer can be adjusted to rest higher or lower on the rod to create different temperatures.

STEP 11: Add your tea lights

Take tea lights (real ones, not the LED ones), and place them on the terra cotta saucer so that they fill any empty spaces (about 5-6)

***** Please note that the placement of the candles is crucial to the safety of this contraption. Here is a video explaining... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnna1PAakV4

STEP 12: Hang it up

Hang a garden hook where you wish your space heater to be and hang the heater by the chain around the hook.

Light the candles and cozy up!

Not only is this thing functional, but it's kinda cute too! You can hang this from anything that can handle the weight... it doesn't have to be from a garden hook. You could even make it to look like a lamp if you wanted.

Can't wait to fire this thing up on a cold night!

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#energysaver #repurpose #heater #green

Frequently asked questions

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3 of 13 questions

Melanie on Dec 06, 2018

How long does the pot retain / release the heat after the tealights have either run out or been blown out? Trying to figure out timing / amount of tealights to keep on hand. Thanks.

6
Dan Tonia Webb on Jan 06, 2019

why does it need so many nuts and washers?

8
Julie Jones Semola on Jan 07, 2019

Approx. how long does it take to feel a differance in the room temp of about a 10 x 15 bathroom?

0