Don Evans
Seems to me the more surface area you have with this method the better it would work.
Cannot see a solid blank doing well.

I'll have to read Dave article again but I know that alcohol will rise to the top of water so I wonder how that process is "driving the water" out?
Here is an experiment from my middle school science projects:
mix water and rubbing alcohol 50/50
shake it up good and immediately soak a cloth (hankie works well)
Hang the cloth on the end of an unfolded metal clothes hanger OUTDOORS
Set it on fire, be quick getting hand out of the way.
let it burn until the fire goes out.
What you'll find is a pretty blue flame but once it goes out notice that the cloth isn't even harmed!
Obvious that the alcohol stayed on the top of the water and the water protected the cloth from damage.
WARNING: THE CLOTH WILL BE VERY HOT BE SURE IT IS COOL BEFORE HANDLING IT!!!
Don