NowakScience Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 It would be a lot of hassle getting the gas for a bunsen into my lab so would a spirit burner be a good substitute? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phi for All Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Alcohol lamps aren't as hot and you can't control them as easily as a Bunsen burner, but they're good for many things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 It depends what you're trying to do, I guess. A hot plate with temperature control is a better substitute for both of them if you're willing to spend a little extra money, though. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPanic Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 It matters a lot how much heat you require. I think you want something you can control quite well, so I'd think something like a camping burner is easy and cheap. But sometimes these may be a little too much (their smallest flame still too big). But a spirit burner is just messy (I think it's a yellow sooty flame, right?) and cannot always be controlled, depending on the design. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cuthber Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 "But a spirit burner is just messy (I think it's a yellow sooty flame, right?)" No. That's about the only point in its favour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharonY Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 There are Bunsen burners that work with gas cartridges but operate the same as the gas line ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringJunky Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 (edited) http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/Product/Portable_Microburner/WZ-36310-47 Edited March 31, 2014 by StringJunky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbeMichelson Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Why not get a hot plate? That's what I use for home lab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite Engineer Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 It matters a lot how much heat you require. I think you want something you can control quite well, so I'd think something like a camping burner is easy and cheap. But sometimes these may be a little too much (their smallest flame still too big). But a spirit burner is just messy (I think it's a yellow sooty flame, right?) and cannot always be controlled, depending on the design. alcohol burns clean, no soot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowakScience Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Why not get a hot plate? That's what I use for home lab. I was thinking that but although it's ideal for boiling liquids and can reach considerable temperatures, it doesn't produce a flame. In lab settings, hot plates are generally used to heat glassware or its contents, not to produce a flame. I want something that literally has naked flame to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I was thinking that but although it's ideal for boiling liquids and can reach considerable temperatures, it doesn't produce a flame. In lab settings, hot plates are generally used to heat glassware or its contents, not to produce a flame. I want something that literally has naked flame to it. Why exactly do you need to produce a flame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowakScience Posted April 24, 2014 Author Share Posted April 24, 2014 Why exactly do you need to produce a flame? It's not essential, I just guessed they were slightly more dynamic than a hot surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Dynamic how? Honestly, I couldn't even tell you the last time I saw a bunsen burner in a chemistry lab. Probably high school. We use hot plates these days both because they're safer and because you get a lot more control over your reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowakScience Posted April 26, 2014 Author Share Posted April 26, 2014 I'm not sure, it just seems as if a naked flame would be useful for setting things alight, not heating them up. I'm also not too sure on how the hotplate functions, I was assuming it was only for heating things to a high temperature. I had a quick look on the internet at hotplates for sale and there seems to be a lot produced for camping and outdoor needs but not many as laboratory equipment. I'm actually only in high school now and haven't come across hotplates yet, we just use rusty old relics called Bunsen burners haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypervalent_iodine Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Okay, but why do you need to set things on fire? Usually that's one of those things we try to avoid. The hot plates used in labs are also magnetic stirrers and they can be pricey ($100 or so for a cheap new one), but they're usually pretty good. It would be good to know what is it you're trying to do to be able to tell you what you're better off getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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