What do you light with?

[Sowhat]

I am getting frustrated.  For years I have tried to get a good menorah flame using cotton wicks and some holder, currently, the metal stents that fold over the side of the glass cup.  I have yet to consistently get a good flame.  Floating wicks give you a better flame but sink.  And I think its a short cut.  Any ideas?

[notanonymous]

I am getting frustrated.  For years I have tried to get a good menorah flame using cotton wicks and some holder, currently, the metal stents that fold over the side of the glass cup.  I have yet to consistently get a good flame.  Floating wicks give you a better flame but sink.  And I think its a short cut.  Any ideas?

I use the metal tube with a base on the bottom. 

[Crazy tools]

I use the metal tube with a base on the bottom.

+1
I make sure that the wick that goes into the tube doesn't stick out more than about an 1/8 - 3/16 of an inch. Less makes a tiny flame, more makes this shriveled up thingy in the flame.

[Sowhat]

I have those but never liked how they looked.  Tomorrow BH.

[mek]

I am getting frustrated.  For years I have tried to get a good menorah flame using cotton wicks and some holder, currently, the metal stents that fold over the side of the glass cup.  I have yet to consistently get a good flame.  Floating wicks give you a better flame but sink.  And I think its a short cut.  Any ideas?

Dont use the holders. try to get the longer cotton wicks, let just the bottom soak up oil by laying it on top of the cup wait a min then slowly twist and rotate the wick until its spiraled downward in the cup and you have the size wick you want sticking up. And as you are twisting it down you can see the oil getting soaked into the wick which helps keep the wick steady as it weighs it down so make sure you do it slowly 

[ushdadude]

I use "plumbers lamp wick". You can get it in most local hardware stores (lowes and Home Depot don't have it). I put it in the brass tube and use extra virgin olive oil bought at a grocery (not the cloudy cheap stuff sold in judaica stores)
Beautiful flame every time

[Achas Veachas]

I used to use extra virgin olive oil and I still believe it's more Mehudar than the Judaica store variety...

[mek]

I used to use extra virgin olive oil and I still believe it's more Mehudar than the Judaica store variety...

Definitely true.Would never dream of using the special chanuka ones in food. Plus the regular olive oil was actually cheaper! at 5.99/Ltr for gefen

[Saver2000]

I use cotton works in the "metal tube with base".

I use extra virgin -  first cold pressed -  olive oil from shoprite etc. 

Not necessary to buy the cloudy stuff just bec it says ner mitzvah on it. 

[Davidp]

I heard that using the white fluffy cotton wicks are more mehudar than the rest. Can anyone provide a basis in Halacha for this or is it untrue?

[Crazy tools]

I use cotton works in the "metal tube with base".

I use extra virgin -  first cold pressed -  olive oil from shoprite etc. 

Not necessary to buy the cloudy stuff just bec it says ner mitzvah on it.

Cotton wicks as in the "fluffy ones" or the wax coated ones?
Also IMO the cloudy stuff is good because it has a good spout.

I also think that the difference in the types of oils that ner mitzvah sells is only the bottle. Cheap one is in a cloudy bottle and more expensive one is in a crystal clear bottle, thereby making it look clearer. Same old oil though!!

[Saver2000]

Cotton wicks as in the "fluffy ones" or the wax coated ones?
Also IMO the cloudy stuff is good because it has a good spout.

The fluffy ones. 

I also think that the difference in the types of oils that ner mitzvah sells is only the bottle. Cheap one is in a cloudy bottle and more expensive one is in a crystal clear bottle, thereby making it look clearer. Same old oil though!!

I wouldn't be surprised if it was true .

[ckmk47]

I pour my (food grade) olive oil into something with a spout and fill my menorahs from there.  Preferably a plastic squeeze bottle with a lift up spout.  A 'sports cap' water bottle.

Another nice wick is the type that's just a coated wick with a metal plate at the bottom.  It stands nicely in the cup.

One other thing:  I put some water at the bottom of the glass cup and put the oil on top.  this has the fire sitting higher in the glass so it looks nicer and for some reason it helps me not have trouble keeping them lit.  Maybe with some types of wicks there;s no oxygen waaaay down in the cup where the fire needs it.

[ushdadude]

Another nice wick is the type that's just a coated wick with a metal plate at the bottom.  It stands nicely in the cup

Be careful though. Most poskim say that if you want to be makpid to use olive oil to light you should burn the wax off first

[Dan]

I did the AviGlatt groupon, 2 for $30

[churnbabychurn]

I heard that using the white fluffy cotton wicks are more mehudar than the rest. Can anyone provide a basis in Halacha for this or is it untrue?

yes, the M"B brings down that its best to use cotton wool or "strings of pishtan"

[ushdadude]

yes, the M"B brings down that its best to use cotton wool or "strings of pishtan"

Plumbers lamp wick is strings of cotton too and gives a much cleaner flame

[aygart]

Not all metal tubes are equal. IME the best by far are צינורות הפלא with pure cotton wicks, preferably the twisted ones. Just make sure not to put water on the bottom since they suck up the oil from the bottom like a straw. If you don't want to full the cup just fill it up halfway without water. Most people who I've spoken to who these didn't work for it was because they put water on the bottom.

[thaber]

Be careful though. Most poskim say that if you want to be makpid to use olive oil to light you should burn the wax off first

Source? I found many who said its fine, none that said no good. Although it is popular reid.

[churnbabychurn]

Source? I found many who said its fine, none that said no good. Although it is popular reid.

IIRC Moadim uzemanin. Is makpid.