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Q&A for How to Make a Mini Flyable Hot Air Balloon with Candles

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Question

Can I use a small brown paper bag?

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend a brown paper bag. The flame may not be far enough from the bag to burn safely.

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Question

How would I bring it back down again?

Community Answer

You could attach a string to the balloon so that you could pull it down. You could also just wait for the candles to burn out; the balloon will eventually come down on its own.

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Question

Is it possible to attach the bag at a distance from the foil base, using string or more balsa wood sticks, to make the candles easier to light? Or does the bag have to be totally covering the candles for it to work?

Community Answer

You would lose the heat from the candles. It would not fly. The idea is to trap hot air, which will lift the balloon.

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Question

Can I add a basket to my hot air balloon?

Community Answer

No, you cannot add a basket because it will be too heavy. The balloon is small, and cannot carry much weight.

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Question

Why can't I use plastic for a hot air balloon?

Community Answer

Plastic is not recommended because of the high temperature of the candle, which can cause the plastic to melt.

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Question

Can tea lights be used?

Community Answer

Generally, tea lights are denser because of the paraffin wax and the aluminum wrapper. I would be better if you stick with this method, but if you really need tea lights skim off the wrapper and trim it.

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Question

Can I use plastic instead of aluminium foil?

Community Answer

No, because the plastic will melt.

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Question

Can the candle be thicker?

Community Answer

If the candle is thicker, the balloon may become too dense to fly.

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Question

Is there any danger of fire?

Community Answer

It's possible, so you always want to exercise caution when working with flammable materials.

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Question

Can the plastic bag burn?

Community Answer

Yes. Plastic bags can burn.

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Question

What am I doing wrong if the bag starts wrinkling when I light the candle no matter how far away I hold it?

Community Answer

Too much heat.

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Question

How high will it go?

Community Answer

I've seen some homemade hot air balloons go pretty high, but it depends on your heat source, the wind conditions, etc. It's impossible to say for sure.

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Question

Can I use a rubber balloon instead of plastic bag?

Community Answer

No. It wouldn't have enough space for the flame.

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Question

Can I put my hamster inside? It's dead.

Community Answer

No, it would be too heavy. If you augmented the bag size and heat level it might work, but I wouldn't recommend doing this. Give your hamster a respectful burial.

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Question

If the string becomes unattached, how long will it take for the balloon to come down?

Community Answer

The candles will eventually burn out and it will come down on its own, though it may not be directly above where it was launched.

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Question

How high will this balloon travel?

Community Answer

It really depends on how well you made it and how big the candles are, but it could get to a decent altitude.

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Question

Can I use a balloon to make it fly instead of a candle?

Community Answer

No, it won't work.

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Question

Where do I put the balsa stick?

Community Answer

That's a substitute if you don't have any straws.If you don't have straws, use the sticks.

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Question

Do I have to use a certain stick?

Community Answer

You can use any stick, as long as it is lightweight and able to resist some amount of heat. Here, balsa wood is the best, as it is lightweight and works well for small projects.

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Question

Can I use wooden chopsticks instead of balsa sticks?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you follow the method above very carefully.

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Question

Can I glue the candles onto the aluminum foil with hot glue instead of melted wax?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

The plastic bag usually starts to melt after I fly it, and the bag I'm using is a very similar in size to the one shown in the photo. How can I keep this from happening?

Community Answer

Use aluminum foil instead. Also, hold it up as you light the candle, and pull down the balloon before the candle goes out.

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Question

How do I keep it from getting too hot?

Community Answer

You don't. You need the heat to lift the balloon. If you meant keep it from melting, consult the other comments in this article.

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Question

Would it be okay to add more candles?

Community Answer

No, you cannot add more candles because the balloon would become too heavy to fly.

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Question

What is the most common mistake made while making this project?

Community Answer

While doing, my group made the mistake of adding too much tape/glue, thus making the balloon ultimately too heavy to fly. Also, don't make it out of paper if it's a small scale. It will explode.

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Question

Can I use tissue paper instead of the plastic bag?

Community Answer

No, you cannot. Tissue paper would be impractical to use. Just get a cheap plastic laundry bag.

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Question

Can I use sewing fabric instead of a bag?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it is light and does not have any small holes in it. You cannot let the heat escape, or else the balloon won't fly.

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Question

What size bag is used for this?

Community Answer

Try using a grocery bag.

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Question

How long will this balloon fly for?

John Hills- Class of 2024

Community Answer

It will fly until you pull it down or it runs out of wax. It is impossible to know the exact time it will stay in the air for.

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Question

How high can this balloon go?

Community Answer

How high this balloon will go depends on the length of the candles and the size of the bag. If you have a small candle, then it will not go as high as a balloon made with a big candle.

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