What is the purpose of the perlite in the stove?

On my video, "CanteenShop GrillTop Stove Stand - Sterno can refilled with Perlite - Boil Test - Reloaded" BluegrassBushcraft asked, "This may be a stupid question but what is the purpose of the perlite in the stove?"

I think this is a pretty good question that I would address in this video.

Perlite is a type of volcanic glass that can be added to soil to improve it's condition and also used in hydroponics as a medium so it's usually available at most garden centers or hardware stores. It's pretty cheap too.

MatoNupai partially answered BluegrassBushcraft when he commented, "It absorbs the alcohol the way a wick of carbon felt (welding blanket) or fiberglass holds onto the fuel."

I prefer to use perlite over fiberglass insulation because it doesn't seem to melt or fuse when the alcohol runs out. There are times I choose perlite over carbon felt/fiber because it's cheaper and sometimes easier to use in odd shaped burners.

Perlite absorbs the alcohol so that if the burner, especially if it's an open top burner, tilts the alcohol isn't so apt to just spill out.

The perlite brings the alcohol to the top of a burner so that there is a bit smoother flame. Without the perlite in an open top stove the flames can be burning down in the burner making for a bit hectic flame. With the flames up at the top of the burner the burner itself will stay a little cooler as you will see from the two burners I use in the demo.

So when it comes to wicking my choices usually are carbon felt/fiber and then perlite.

I thank BluegrassBushcraft for question and I hope this video helps,
I thank MatoNupai for his comment,
and I thank you all for watching my videos,
Hiram

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