Skint Dad

Where Every Penny Counts

  • Home
  • Save money
    • How to save money on groceries
    • Save money on energy bills
    • Save money on water bills
    • Frugal living tips
    • 1p Saving Challenge
    • Sun holiday codes
  • Make money
    • Make money online
    • Best paid surveys
    • Best side hustle ideas
    • Free money
    • Genuine work from home jobs
    • Bank switch offers
  • Manage money
    • Best budgeting apps
    • Average household bills
    • Credit score apps
  • Our Book
  • News
  • Deals
    • Farmfoods offers
    • Blue Light Card discounts list
    • When is the Next sale
    • 25% off wine
  • About us
  • Community
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / Save Money / Terracotta candle pot heater – does it work?

Skint Dad is reader supported. Purchases through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. Learn more

Terracotta candle pot heater – does it work?

by Naomi Willis · updated 26 January 2023

Energy prices are so expensive, and to keep costs down, people are sharing new “hacks” as a cheaper way to heat homes. But does the terracotta pot heater work, and is it safe?

terracotta heater

£10 sign up bonus: Earn easy cash by watching videos, playing games, and entering surveys.

Get a £10 sign up bonus when you join today.

Join Swagbucks here >>

It’s viral on TikTok, has been shared in pretty much every money saving group on Facebook, and you can now buy them rebuild on Amazon – the seemingly simple way to heat your room – a terracotta pot.

The “hack” tells you to use a clay pot from your garden and place tea light candles underneath.

With the heat generated, the suggestion is that you can ditch your radiators, save money, and keep warm.

However, before you nip out and buy the stuff (or spend even more on a premade one), take a look at whether it’s worth your money and safety.

What is a terracotta heater?

A terracotta heater is usually a home made device used by some to try and heat a room.

You take a standard clay or terracotta pot and balance it upside down over small candles.

The idea is that any heat generated from the candles will be stored in the terracotta pot and released into your room.

Does it work?

Having a selection of candles will release a small amount of heat, and perhaps the glow of the candles will make you feel warmer (rather than heat you).

The pot allows the heat to essentially stay in one smaller space rather than disappearing into your whole room.

Don’t get me wrong; the pot is going to get hot – but no hotter than the candles.

However, the heat generated will not be enough to keep you warm.

It will not replace an electric heater or radiator.

Are there any downsides?

There are two basic downsides:

  1. It doesn’t actually warm the room or create enough extra heat
  2. It’s not very safe

Terracotta pot safety warning

Terracotta pot heaters are not safe to use.

A warning has been shared by the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service after a fire was started in someone’s home.

Called a “dangerous trend”, the fire service found that the pot got too hot and cracked, causing the entire thing to fall over.

A fire started, and the owner had to evacuate, along with 50 other people who lived in the same building.

You’d need to check your own policy, but using this could invalidate your contents/buildings insurance in the event you needed to make a claim.

Take a look at the cheapest electric heater to run.

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Naomi Willis
Naomi Willis
Content editor at Skint Dad
Naomi knows the burden of living on very little and became debt free by following her own money saving tips and tricks. She is an expert on saving money at the supermarket and side hustles.
Naomi Willis
Latest posts by Naomi Willis (see all)
  • TopCashback Sweet Treats Giveaway this Easter 2025: ALL answers - 7 April 2025
  • Tesco clothing sale 2025 – 25% off F&F sale dates - 27 March 2025
  • Next sale dates 2025 and how to book an early VIP slot - 17 March 2025
Newsletter Title

Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest money saving content

Plus an exclusive £16 cashback offer for new Quidco members.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ricky and Naomi Willis

Ricky and Naomi Willis, founders and editors of the Skint Dad website.

We know every penny counts, so we’re sharing resources, tips, tricks, and deals that will keep more money in your pocket.

Read more about us.

Make Every Penny Count by Ricky and Naomi Willis
Skint Dad in the media

Explore

Save money

Make money

Manage money

Buy our book

Budget recipes

Join the community

Information

About us

Contact us

Awards, Media and Press

Affiliate Disclosure

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Terms & Conditions

Sitemap

Skint Dad

K2 Tower
Bond Street
Hull
HU1 3EN
01482 230059

Skint Media Limited
is a registered company
in England & Wales.
Company reg no: 09991508
VAT No: 318 7349 80

Copyright © 2025 · Skint Media Limited · All rights reserved · Registered in England and Wales with company number 09991508

Skint DadLogo Header Menu
  • Home
  • Save money
    • How to save money on groceries
    • Save money on energy bills
    • Save money on water bills
    • Frugal living tips
    • 1p Saving Challenge
    • Sun holiday codes
  • Make money
    • Make money online
    • Best paid surveys
    • Best side hustle ideas
    • Free money
    • Genuine work from home jobs
    • Bank switch offers
  • Manage money
    • Best budgeting apps
    • Average household bills
    • Credit score apps
  • Our Book
  • News
  • Deals
    • Farmfoods offers
    • Blue Light Card discounts list
    • When is the Next sale
    • 25% off wine
  • About us
  • Community
  • Subscribe