I
have written this to explain how you can make you wick last longer. Following
these guides can improve wick life dramatically. This means saving you
time and money.
Put
your fire out when it is a couple of inches above the wick
Once all the liquid fuel is
gone the fire will move onto burning the wick. Even KEVLAR ®
and other man made fibers will burn or smolder degrading the fibers once
the liquid fuel is gone.
How
to extinguish your equipment
Use of a slightly damp towel
to cover and extinguish the wick is recommended. Being careful when smothering
anything that is on fire, pushing the flame out in a direction away from
people and / or other combustibles. In an emergency use a suitable CLASS-B
fire extinguisher. Aim extinguisher at fire source and not the top of
the flame.
Attach
the wick to poi or staff as tight as possible
The more the wick flexes the
more likely that the fibers will break. Wrapping the wick tightly on a
tube core will limit movement. Cathedral or Accordian fire heads are more
likely to degrade faster from flexing of the edge wick fibers however
wick can be stiffened using PVA (white school glue).
Practicing
with your equipment unlit
To reduce impact damage to fire
heads when Practicing unlit you can wrap them in tin foil and tie an old
sock over them. This will also soften the impact and stop fuel residue
getting on your clean clothes. You can also sew streamers onto the
outside of the sock for extra visual effect.
