Executive summary: if you are UNSURE of your diffuser oil formula, buy rattan reeds.OR...add some alcohol (like vodka, everclear grain alcohol, bourbon, gin, but not  rubbing isopropyl alcohol or cheap cologne with water) to your oil.

Need reeds longer than 12 inches....

• buy rattan (aka flexible / willow) reeds. (Can join smaller thick reeds with a wood bead and flip then. The oil will stop at the bead. Bead like this is nice to keep oil off your hands too).

The reason some sellers tell you bamboo does not work is 

•  a) their formula only works with rattan, or b) rattan is more universal, easy answer.

What you are expecting from a reed is like celery...remember the science experiment? Put blue food color in water and the  celery wicks it up? Both bamboo and willow / rattan  reeds work. For some of our formulas one wicks slightly faster.

FYI- Reed Field testing.

1. We feel any is fine. Sure in the first hour one may wick a bit faster but after 24 hours they would be the same.  The vessel tends to stop the absorption..so reeds often wick to the top of the glass. Then you flip them.
2. We tested both and have sold BOTH rattan and bamboo reeds for years on Ebay with many happy customers.
3. We also tested various thicknesses of the bamboo reeds. Thick works well in some formulas.
4. So long as they wick..or hold the oil what's the big deal?? Thicker reeds hold more oil. Thin reeds may wick to the top faster and you can use more of them. 
5. Pick the reeds you want for the look you want to achieve. More formal? use Bamboo. Casual or Artsy used a curved willow, maybe even cut to different lengths. narrow neck, use thin, thick neck, use a reducer, or a cork with the reeds around the edge, or thick reeds.
6. We have field tested reeds, bamboo and reed and formulas for diffusers. BOTH Bamboo and Willow reeds work with the right formula.  If you are UNSURE of your oil, buy rattan reeds (also know as willow/flexible) or add grain alcohol, or booze.
7. Some reed oil formulas must have willow since their formula won't  work well with bamboo.
   

What is the best diffuser? A discussion about Reed Oil Formulas

OUR oil formula is fine without the alcohol..but a blend with some perfumer alcohol is the best for a combination of local and room dispersion. Technically anything over 1 oz of alcohol needs to be ground shipped. Thus the dilemma with adding alcohol. Ebayers tend to like priority mail..and fast receipt of goods. 

CONSIDERATIONS in buying a diffuser.

1. If you want an expensive look do not buy homemade. Ask .
2. Want to save money? Consider adding your own vessel to get your look.
3. One problem is customers wanting commercial refills. If you want Alora buy Alora. No one on Ebay can mimic a scent. Too many ingredients.
4. Be sure you are comfortable with a scent. Buy where you can test.
5. No returns. One of the blogs noted if you do not like the scent you cannot return it on Ebay. Generally true. Though one of the oldest diffuser seller...Chelsea's offers refunds.  Not liking scent is a risk.
   

Discussion about Diffuser oil Oil Formulas:

In a nutshell..a diffuser is like buying perfume.

Perfume is up to 90% alcohol (meaning only ten percent is the scent.

There are TWO basic types of diffusers...

BOTH have the exact same perfume component -essential oils, etc. The difference is the additives to enhance, carry or disperse. More info: We have perfumers alcohol  made up alcohol formulas. See my guide on perfume oils..you will get the drift. 

Comments on commercial reed diffuser brands:

Alora: has testers. Use them!!!! Per feedback on the web, many Alora customers do not like some of the Alora blends. You will note Alora Ambiance diffusers will tend to get thick..read about them. PRO: Some scents are wonderful. Many like the clean look of the commercial diffuser. CON: no refills.

Manhattan: Nice look. Lots of scents.

Pier One: One customer liked red color of oil in one. Two wanted similar refill, so they apparently liked it. One customer was lukewarm about one of the Pier One diffusers (scent was fine, it was only strong local instead of dispersed). PRO: inexpensive.

Comments on EBAY Homemade diffusers/components:

One great reed diffuser seller that has sold a long time..is Chelsea. She sells a great standard product. She changed from bamboo to rattan reeds.

We are innovators and creators. We like watching some of the homemade reed diffuser competition, like Viola, She is an innovator too.

Refills/ Components:

• You can now buy reed diffuser components separately..that would be reeds, oil and vase.
  
• We did note one online company has $100 minimum order or a ten dollar service charge is assessed.
  
• Buy the same type of reed as the seller of your oil recommends.
  

TIP: always use a coaster.

• Wash your hands after handling scent. We use special reed handling papers..but a paper towel will do.
  
• Watch flipping them and getting oils everywhere..oils destroy.
• Avoid getting reeds to close to walls or curtains. it will absorb.
• Put vase in bowl of marbles/glass beads for fun look or to avoid cat tipping over.
  

Hope this helps.