Lesson learned: Do NOT dry BP on a heating-pan!

[Ubehage]

As I have mentioned before, I am performing some tests on how to dry BP-meal, without sun or drying chamber.

 

Today, I tried using a heating pan; a kind of electric grill plate. I set it to 90C, and waited untill the pan was heated fully.

I then dropped some wet BP-meal onto the pan, and watched it dry. No problems..

So I became overdaring, and started granulating and drying my 2-pound batch, while stirring regulary. Still no problems.

 

BUT... Inevitable is inevitable, and now I am looking like a fried hairless shrimp.

 

Just wanted to share this, in case someone else is as stupid as me.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Ubehage

[rogeryermaw]

hope you're ok. i suppose you learned a very valuable lesson today, if nothing else. you seriously don't need to speed up drying your b.p. after granulating, if the meal is not over wetted, i leave trays sitting in my shop to dry and they are usually ready to go between a day and a half to two days. a little patience will save you a lot of skin.

[taiwanluthiers]

Those grill plates will go above 90C with ease, regardless of your thermostat setting. If you really must heat dry you have to use steam to heat the plate, so that the temperature will never exceed 100C.

[Arthur]

Warm for drying is usually best only a few (max 10) degrees warmer than the surroundings.

[Ubehage]

I am ok. I'm in pain, but otherwise good. And I am definitely wiser

[Bobosan]

Ouch! Glad you are okay. Hard lesson learned for sure. Even the sun bearing down on a reflective bowl can touch BP off.

[BurritoBandito]

Was it the full two pounds? Geez man! I'm glad you're ok, but damn... Be careful! If you can get some silvadine it will help significantly with the burns. Pretty sure it's Rx only, but maybe someone you know has some. What degree are your burns, and where are they located? Even a small 3rd degree can be a serious issue if not properly treated. You may think it just hurts, but the risk of infection is the real threat.

[Ubehage]

I have 7 quite small spots where the skin is missing. Other than that, I miss most of my hair, and my entire face is heat-sensitive.

I guess I was really lucky, for the situation. I appreciate all your feedback, and small hints. Thinking about it, I feel like I already knew.

The next days will be spent on changing my ways, and try to plan every single little detail in every process.

 

I did keep my cools though, and made sure to put out my hair as the first thing, after jumping back.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Ubehage

[schroedinger]

So you didn't get burned very bad, just happy to hear that don't wan't to see a new picture like that one of dag.

[mikeee]

Cutting corners or trying to do something on the cheap usually does not work well in Pyrotechnics.

Plenty of people have died year after year in this industry and that is how standards and methods were adopted.

Learn from other peoples mistakes and follow standard practices that most everyone follows in the industry.

[dagabu]

So you didn't get burned very bad, just happy to hear that don't wan't to see a new picture like that one of dag.

 

AMEN!

[MWJ]

I'm very glad also that your ok, and a lot more knowledgeable.

[alexpyro101]

Should'a used a clean burning, more energy efficient propane burner. Just kidding, but maybe that should be the wake up call to invest in some safety equipment (face shield, leather gloves, a leather jacket, etc.)

Edited October 17, 2014 by alexpyro101

[Eagle66]

Glad to hear you're OK.

 

Your experience makes me realize how lucky I was when I boiled over that batch of bp onto the electric hotplate. All I got from that was a smoked up house and a laundry bill. It could have been much worse. The PPE I needed most was a better grade of gray matter between my ears. Got a bit more of that now.

[BurritoBandito]

Should'a used a clean burning, more energy efficient propane burner...

[dagabu]

I have 7 quite small spots where the skin is missing. Other than that, I miss most of my hair, and my entire face is heat-sensitive.

I guess I was really lucky, for the situation. I appreciate all your feedback, and small hints. Thinking about it, I feel like I already knew.

The next days will be spent on changing my ways, and try to plan every single little detail in every process.

 

I did keep my cools though, and made sure to put out my hair as the first thing, after jumping back.

 

Count yourself fortunate.

Edited October 18, 2014 by dagabu

[rogeryermaw]

Don't think I'm trying to sway you one way or another, but something I find amazing and admirable is this: you came close. You know exactly how bad this could have gotten. All the pain, the bills, the legal nightmare and all that. And yet...not once do I read that you have fear. Nowhere do I see that you considered dropping the pyro hobby. The dog bit you and you still want to pet it instead of having it put down. Tough or stupid? Not my call. But I place that with dedication and find it admirable.

[Arthur]

I have heard of a demo model of a large ceramic floor tile with heating traces on the back (and totally grouted) being driven with low voltage and used as a star dryer. IIRC it was about 2ft square and had about 20watts of heater all over the back. This was just above ambient temp but did dry comps OK.

 

Still there is no need for excess risk and PPE is always a good plan

[dagabu]

Stupid of course but considering that one would hardly consider not driving again after being rear ended, I think to not face the fear would be the ultimate defeat. I don't do what lead to my injury anymore, I work with others who can watch my back and religiously wear PPE when making energetic materials.

 

No legal issues at all.

Edited October 17, 2014 by dagabu

[BurritoBandito]

I think a better analogy would be this: if you were drinking, and wound up getting into a car accident, would you never drive again, or would you realize the mistake you made, and just not drink before getting behind the wheel? If you know your folly, there is no need to be afraid. In my case it was using marbles, shaking the jar, and not wearing PPE. I am not afraid to operate a ball mill, but am smart enough to know better than to repeat my mistakes. I'd be willing to bet Uberhage has the sense not to dry his BP that way again.

Stupid of course but considering that one would hardly consider not driving again after being rear ended, I think to not face the fear would be the ultimate defeat. I don't do what lead to my injury anymore, I work with others who can watch my back and religiously wear PPE when making energetic materials.

No legal issues at all.

[schroedinger]

I think a better analogy would be this: if you were drinking, and wound up getting into a car accident, would you never drive again, or would you realize the mistake you made, and just not drink before getting behind the wheel?

Well even if i get the thought behind this, and i bet most people here do, the truth about this is very bad, i know at least 2 to three dozens people that where in that situation and didn't learn from that.

[Bobosan]

Well even if i get the thought behind this, and i bet most people here do, the truth about this is very bad, i know at least 2 to three dozens people that where in that situation and didn't learn from that.

 

So, schroedinger, in essence you are saying pyro is addictive? Is there a 12 step program out there for pyroholics?

 

All kidding aside folks, get yourself some PPE.

 

[dagabu]

Well even if i get the thought behind this, and i bet most people here do, the truth about this is very bad, i know at least 2 to three dozens people that where in that situation and didn't learn from that.

 

My accident was most likely from the drum turning causing the motor to be energized and since I had unplugged the cord, there was no ground. Not a drinking and driving accident but like being on the road and being rear ended. 100% avoidable if I had not drove/made BP.

[schroedinger]

 

So, schroedinger, in essence you are saying pyro is addictive? Is there a 12 step program out there for pyroholics?

 

 

 

Nah i don't think there should be a programm, but I'm sure the difference is that people have to be clear minded in pyro, and also faults are always happening in a way that you have to learn of them as they will always remind you. Alcohol supresses these both

[VaterAraignee]

 

So, schroedinger, in essence you are saying pyro is addictive? Is there a 12 step program out there for pyroholics?

 

All kidding aside folks, get yourself some PPE.

As a Welder I have to comment on some of the items in the picture.

No...

NO...

NO!

First the jacket, eventually you my be tempted to wash it. Never never never wash it! You will wash out the flame retardant.

The jacket was designed to be disposable. It is designed for TIG welding, that means High Light Output protection. I have and have see other welders ignite this type of jacket wile only hours out of the package during MIG welding.

You are better off wearing a denim jacket with a flame retardant soaked in. It is thicker and provides better heat protection. Oh remove breast pockets and sew waist pockets shut.

 

EVEN BETTER!

Invest in leather or suede.

I have seen suede sleeves go for $40.00, aprons $80.00 and leather welding jackets at $100.00. I am one hundred percent positive they can be found cheaper used.

 

Those gloves look familiar, and if they are then they are insulation lined. This is good. When looking for leather or suede gloves, get MIG/Stick gloves.

TIG gloves are suppose to be unlined and tight, they are only to protect from light and minor heat wile giving maximum manual dexterity. Expose them to too much heat and they will have to be cut off of your hands wile providing extra insulation allowing your hands to cook longer.

 

I cant tell but that face shield looks no better than the harbor freight one that isnt going to protect you from a blast. The top of your heat is exposed. Your ears are exposed. The bottom is open allowing a blast to ride between it and your face. It also doesn't help that under heat the shield will shrivel like a wang dipped in ice water.

Get a welding helmet non-auto darkening with the smallest view port possible and replace the lenses with Lexan.

 

Best bet is a pipeliners helmet.

http://cloudfront.zoro.com/product/full/2XKY1_AS01.JPG

And remember even under your PPE, NO SYINTHETIC FIBER! Not even your undies and socks.

 

I am not being over cautious, I weld, I fire dance, I've fire walked and I have purposly blown myself up twice(never again). I have extreme respect for what high temperatures and shock waves can do.