The lava lamp. One of the things that are still in style and fashion since the dinosaurs is the lava lamp. Dinosaurs are extinct, so they don’t compare well.
Being invented in 1963 by Edward Craven Walker, the lava lamp has seen a lot of handovers in history.
Today, you will find different variations of them in the market. They all come in different sizes, and colors, and also in different wattages of lights.
Quality is also a factor that plays with the pricing. But the main attraction is in the wax bubbles or blobs it forms inside it. The light also functions as the heating element that helps the wax melt and gives you a pleasant display.
Which can bring the question, how long does a lava lamp take to heat up?
As we want everything fast from our food to work, we are going to discuss the lava lamp in our article today to give you the fastest answer.
How Long Does a Lava Lamp Take To Heat up and Form Wax Bubbles
As much for its history and aesthetic value, the lava lamp is basically a lamp with a magic show as a bonus.
Without the show, it has no value at all. But to form those wax bubbles floating around, you have to wait at least a few hours.
For a normal medium size lava lamp, it takes 2 hours and for a large one, it can take over 3 hours before the bubbles can form.
There are a few reasons behind this. The density of the chemicals, the size of the lamp, and the wattage of the bulb inside the lamp can define how long it will take to form the bubbles.
Let’s look at them one by one
The Chemical Compound
If you ever wondered what is in the lava lamp, it consists of water, mineral oil, paraffin wax, carbon tetrachloride, and translucent dye.
Carbon tetrachloride is responsible for keeping the wax afloat and cooling it down in time so they don’t melt. Hence the bubbles are formed.
But after 1970, lava lamps in the US stopped using carbon tetrachloride for its toxicity.
This dense mixture takes a while to heat up and form the bubbles.
The Size of the Lamp
As we all know, a large pot of water takes longer to heat up than a cup of water, the same chemistry is involved with a lava lamp.
The bigger the lamp gets, the longer it takes to form the bubbles.
Behold, the Bulb
The bulb is the main power source of the lava lamp. It not only provides light but also heats up the wax to start the bubbles.
Mostly incandescent light bulbs are used in lava lamps as they produce more heat than any other bulbs.
So the wattage of the bulb is the main factor that the lava lamp depends on its bubble show. A higher wattage bulb means it will take a lot less time than a lower wattage bulb to heat the wax up.
How Long Does a Lava Lamp Take To Work
For a small size lava lamp, it will take more than an hour, for medium size will take over two hours and for a large one will take over three hours before the bubbles start to float.
As the wattage of the bulb is the main thing heating up the wax, a higher wattage bulb will help it significantly.
But keep in mind, that too much heat will melt the paraffin wax faster and the liquid won’t be able to cool it down. So you won’t see any bubbles forming if this happens.
Can I Leave My Lava Lamp on 24 7?
The recommended time of operation for any lava lamp, small or large is 8 hours maximum.
You can surely go over that time, but the wax will start to melt faster and you won’t see any bubbles forming.
As the liquid stay in a glass container, it is advised you don’t let it overheat or it might develop cracks.
How Can I Make My Lava Lamp Heat up Faster?
If your lava lamp seems to take longer than usual to heat up, you can change the incandescent bulb.
Use a slightly higher wattage bulb than it came with. But not too much or it will melt the wax faster than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lava lamps go bad?
Yes. lava lamps can go bad due to two reasons. One, they get cloudy if shaken continuously. And two, they have a lifetime of 2000 hours. After that, they won’t work as usual. For instance, the bubbles won’t float around anymore.
Why is the lava in my lava lamp not moving?
The reason why your lava lamp is not creating any lava is due to overheating. Keeping your lava lamp on for a very long time exceeds the heat limit of the paraffin wax. The fluid mixture is not capable to cool down the wax so the bubbles can form. Hence there is no lava in your lava lamp.
How can I make my lava lamp work faster?
Apart from the incandescent bulb that is in the lava lamp that heats up the wax, there is also a metal coil that keeps the heat constant. When the coil is misplaced, the lava lamp takes longer than usual to work. Simply twirl down the coil to the bottom if it is on the side of your globe and it will fix the problem.
How long should you leave your lava lamp on?
Lava lamps take quite some time to form the blobs in them. Depending on the size, it can take 2 to 4 hours for the wax to form bubbles and create the lava effect. Varying from manufacturer to manufacturer, a lava lamp is suggested to operate between 8 to 10 hours. Over that time and your wax will not form any more bubbles as the heat will go over the limits.
Can I leave a lava lamp on all the time?
As a lamp can be left on all the time, a lava lamp is no different. You can leave the lava lamp on for a very long time. But the main attraction of a lava lamp is the lava bubbles flowing around the globe. After 8-10 hours the wax gets too hot for the fluids to cool it down. Hence no more lava show. Also, the glass will encounter fractures due to the heat. So it is not a good idea to leave a lava lamp on all the time.
Does shaking a lava lamp ruin it?
Yes. As the chemical mixtures work when they are settled in a place calmly, shaking it will make the lamp go cloudy. Also, the heating element and electrical components will encounter damage if shaken. If somehow the lamp gets shaken due to moving or by accident, leave it unplugged for 24 hours and then turn it on.
Conclusion
As much as you like the lava shown in your lava lamp, it is best to use them as they came from the factory. Customizing them is good if the lamp comes with instructions and options. Otherwise doing a DIY might ruin the whole thing. And always remember to read the user’s manual before you operate any lava lamp. Because they differ from one manufacturer to another.
