Radiator Warmth
I had always been amused by those little rakes of metal suspended beneath windows, especially as I have never seen them being used before. I would ask my mother if you could touch them, or if your skin will be blistered if you touch them when they’re not. She would tell me that now, they do not blister, you can easily lay your hand on them for a few minutes without being burnt. I would ask her if they really did heat up the room, and aren’t ACs so much more efficient?
Then we moved here, and I was officially introduced to the blessing that is radiators (conductors convector, ahem, Mervat loves you); excellent for drying your clothes, warming your hands, quick-drying paint, and many other random uses. At times when when we would be running around campus in the freezing cold, getting soaked from head-to-toe in a particularly rainy day, the radiators would serve as our closets, drying our scarves, jackets, and even socks.
And here’s where this brilliant concept gadget comes along- the “Natural Wave” is a ceramic plate that sits on a steam radiator, making it easy to keep drinks and muffins warm. Unfortunately, it’s not really in production, but its still quite a cool idea from YankoDesign. [source]
Nice, eh? I guess I really like it when people put some thought into radiators, which are otherwise so dull and so boring. I still don’t think that anyone can beat this though.
Liza
December 4, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
We used to have these portable heaters with coils, and it worked like an electric stove top. Not only did it generate enough heat to warm up a small room, but we discovered (being resourceful students at the time) that they were also excellent for making toast and roasting marshmallows.
ozz
December 4, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
actually the word you crossed out was the right one if you’re refering to drying clothes or keeping your drink warm .. conduction is the means of heat transfer when two objects are touching each others, so heat goes from the higher temperature (radiators) to the lower temperature (clothes). while convection is how heat transfers to warm the air in your room.
anyway yes .. utilizing the energy dissipated in warming other stuff is cool .. but one of the bad thoughts put into the radiators is covering them with Arabisk wooden box for decoration .. i saw this in a number of houses and i believe it reduces the amount of heat needed to fill the room, so more time is needed .. and extra time means extra jouls produced.. ya3ne extra litres of fuel consumed resulting in a non economic utilization of resources.
nedy
December 4, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
I heard once an anecdot about the unusual use of those old-fashioned radiators
(the ones pictured above) in Mongolia… as a doormat at the entrance of yurts! their metal ‘ribs’ were considered useful for cleanin’ shoes…
Bilal - Black Jack
December 4, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Awesome! please let the production of this product start soon! my office desk at home is right by a radiator. would be cool to keep ur beverage warm.
I actually have a mug that can be connected to computer through USB, that keeps ur drink warm. but it clutters the desk with cables and stuff. next thing is a mug that heats up by bluetooth!
and by the way, i LOVE muffins :D
Khaled
December 4, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
A very creative way of using up energy which is usually wasted. I like things like these.
KeKo
December 5, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Funcky, I want one of those, hope they make it. oh and I want the coffee and a muffin, I will leave you the other muffin, I am nice like that :)