So, i tried a few more resistors with lower ohms. The work in the sense when the thermistor is hot, the whole things gets HOT!! That being a 22 ohm, yea, I Know you said not to go below 100 but the LED won't go to full light. I bought a bunch of resistors to at least experiment.
The thermistor I am using is bare, so I can't use water to cool it. Gas isn't conductive so, its a bare thermistor in gas. seems scary but that's the way these things where built. Thats also why these thermistors are on the "negative" side of the power.