Some people use those small cauldrons.

I would like to know the names of those metal balls that hold fuel inside of them have a wick coming out the top for the flame.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

I've seen all manner of items used for this purpose.

The one I see that I DON'T recommend, is people think it's a good idea to fill a fire-safe container with white gas and light the entire thing on fire. While it creates a neat effect, it is insanely dangerous, and no matter how safe you try to be about it, there is a high risk somebody can (and I know people who HAVE) get serverely injured by this. I only bring it up as a what NOT to do.

There are some commercial products you can get from Home & Garden stores that range from a ten inch conical bowl with a single gel-based flame (www.northlineexpress.com/itemdesc.asp to much larger ones that use traditional wood/charcoal fuels. Here's an entire website that specializes in that kinda thing: www.buytikitorches.com/home.php

Another common method I've seen that I'd like someone here to speak on the safey of is to absolutely stuff a metal coffee can with paper towls, pour white gas in and let it absorb, then light it on fire. I've heard it burns for a while, but is controlled. Just use welding gloves or the like if you need to move it, as it will be stupidly hot. Again, I am not speaking to how smart this is or the safety of it, just saying it is a method I've seen done.

If none of this is what you're talking about, can you be more specific with the kind of effect it creates? <how much surface area burns, what kind of fuel, how big it is>

Most of the fire bowls I've seen are either an actual bowl in which someone has modified with a wick, or purchased from any garden shop (Target and Wal Mart both have nice ones)
www.itorches.com/oil-torch...oducts.cfm