Poi on the Playa

[c.stewbing]

Hello all! This will be my first time to burning man. I understand that this is a leave no trace event. I am a fire dancer and I worried about getting fuel on the playa. Before lighting up I usually spin off the excess fuel. Can anyone give me any tips as how not to fling fuel across the playa? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! See you all soon.

[uncle sticky]

You're already there. Just spin 'em out very well, and let 'em burn a few seconds prior to spinning!

[Atar]

Erm, no offense uncle sticky, but the problem if you spin off is that the fuel lands on the ground. Thats what c.stewbing was trying to prevent... So I don't understand your post

Anways.
A good way to prevent this is take an old soda can and one piece of rope of about three feet in length. Attach the rope to two sides of the can so that they are opposite to eachother. Do this by prying small holes in the cans and the rope tight. Dump your poi in and hold the rope and the poi chain in such a way that the poi is dangling slightly above the bottom of the can. Then you swing it round like a madman
Afterwards you will find a small piddle of kero/parafine/Coleman that you can easily pour back into your dump cannister. Repeat with your other poi and someone calling himself Bob will arive to tell you he's your mother's brother.

Hope that helps
Bram

[uncle sticky]

I assumed that when he spun out, he'd be using a bucket, so good point. I use a paint can, wrap my chains around the handle, and swing it like you suggested.

[c.stewbing]

Thank you Atar. That was exactly the info I was looking for! Put 'em in a can and spin 'em out like a mad-woman.

[Token]

If you put a metal screen in the bottom of the paint can such that there is 1 or 2 inches of space where the poi can't go... Even easier to spin things out well. We use this for shows in town where we must impress the fire marshall.

[firesky99]

The paint can method doesn't work so well for other fire tools. What about bringing a stash of rags to soak up the excess fuel. I've done this with flaming costume pieces and fragile tools - you wrap the towel around the wicking and squeeze the excess out.