What's the best way to make wick-and-oil work for Chanukah?

Question

I've tried lots of fancy fluffy cotton wicks that just burn out. Some people have those little metal holder-thingies to keep the wick in place; some use bobby pins as holder thingies. If your oil cups are plastic, the metal holder things will melt the oil cups!

I've given up and gone to floating wicks. Any other suggestions?

Those nice old-fashioned, Genie-esque "lamp" things look great, but how do they work?!

Answer 1

Have you tried "Super Wicks"? The wicks are coated with a material that makes them stand straight on their own, supported only by a metal disc at the bottom. They seem to work well for me.

http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Chanukah_Store/Candles,_Oils,_Wicks,_Bulbs,_and_Glasses_for_Menorahs/Wicks/Super-Wicks-_NM1036.html

Answer 2

get the congealed oil cups. they look like wax, but melt into oil after they are lit. they are worth the extra money--they burn bright and clear and clean!

Answer 3

I use a product similar to (or the same as) the one recommended by Sam. I think I once had an incident where the metal base got hot enough to damage the cup, so now, I always put water at the bottom of the cup, before I put in the oil. Anyway, the cups hold much more than enough oil to be lit for the requisite duration.