For me, a rare brain flash regarding a McGyver solution

[IrishAyes]

16. Thanks. I'll certainly buy a new bathroom heater and

despite a bit of decision whiplash, be extremely alert to UNPLUG the heater after every use. Maybe even start setting a timer downstairs so when it goes off, I'll be reminded. So long as I don't get so ditsy I forget what the timer's supposed to remind me about.

Until that happy day when I actually have a working (improved) outlet for the new heater, I'll have to do one or the other about the percolator contents. At least a percolator won't create enough heat to evaporate the water very soon at all, especially with the lid on. Someone I know left a full 12-cup perc on for almost a week when they left on vacation. On return they had a slightly lowered level of sludge but no fire. As for motor oil, extra safety's one reason high-performance motor oil was recommended - the greater heat tolerance.

Thankfully I don't need to create too much extra heat. The downstairs plus the steam from an extra deep, extra hot tub already make the room almost tolerable. I only need another 5-10 degrees at most, and that in safe proximity.