Survival candle

Sparky415 · **on:** March 02, 2011, 08:18:21 PM

I saw this on youtube
Its a bit like Sporks corrugated cardboard dipped in wax fire starter, hes probably made one of these in the past knowing how he likes making outdoor gear

As you know I have a garage full of ~~crap~~ stuff so decided to have a go at making one

They are not as elegant as the little penny burners but very robust and you don't have to worry about spilling meths or evaporation over time

I found what I think is an old film tin and some candles that have been kicking around here for 20 years (I think I got them from the Army surplus store)

Wick insertion tool in action

That works

Neil · **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2011, 09:22:46 PM

I bet it smells though

Its a good idea though. I've got a bunch of candles, I might make one just to pop at the back of the pantry for emergencies.

Sparky415 · **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:18:13 PM

Its not too bad

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:44:52 PM

Good stuff Sparky...that's a classic "Hobo" burner (aka Buddy Burner)...they are stinky though (the burner...well maybe the Hobo too

)

Have you tried them as a cooker yet? They do work, but be prepared for very sooty pots.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:48:21 PM

...you can keep them going by adding chunks of wax as they are burning.

rp252 · **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2011, 11:03:32 PM

That looks good mate, might just have a go at making one myself.

Sparky415 · **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2011, 11:54:11 PM

I have only lit it to see what it looked like, I think I will save it until the warm weather gets here

Rp, Very easy to do

The hardest thing is cleaning the wax off the top of the cooker afterwards

No one has noticed the 'Wick insertion tool' yet

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:19:06 AM

I saw it! Just thought you were a little hard on your tableware...or it was a brain hook for your other hobby of preparing Egyptian Mummies...

Neil · **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:33:59 AM

Same as Spork

Gareth · **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:48:37 AM

Very cool Tony. I especially like the wick insertion tool.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2011, 01:28:46 AM

Now I'm wondering which SAK tool I can modify into a wick insertion tool...

rp252 · **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:54:28 AM

I had a go at making one of these myself. Works a treat

. I didn't use a special wick insertion tool though

Took about 5 candles to make the thing. Mini homegrown hobo stove. Cheers mate

Sparky415 · **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:30:52 AM

I am not sure if the wicks will work when I relight it but as I had them floating around in the wax I thought 'why not'
Then I thought how do I get the wicks in and don't want to get my long nosed pliers covered with wax $:-\$

Spork, I think its use would be a bit limited, Unless you are getting in to the whole taxidermy/mummification thing

Mine took five x 41/2 inch candles

Neil · **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:33:27 PM

I thought I had a round Altoids tin that I could use. Just went hunting to find my youngest has nicked it to make a robot head

Gareth · **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:41:52 PM

At least it went to a good cause.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:06:15 PM

I experimented with mini burners using teacandle cups a while back. The first burn test was a bit of a disaster...the wax overheated and actually boiled over. I put a plain cotton ball on top as a wick for the second test...that's the one burning in the photo.

Also you can see how much the mug is blackened with soot in the photo.

Sparky415 · **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:31:17 PM

This one looked like fun but I'm not sure how practical it is

Gareth · **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:38:48 PM

Very cool.

I agree that it doesn't look that practical, that's a pretty small amount of water he's boiled.

jzmtl · **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:35:19 PM

Where do you guys get wax? Buying pre-made candle is fine for small stuff but for things like this it's gets expensive.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:46:08 PM

I buy household paraffin wax...found with the canning supplies at the grocery store.

jzmtl · **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:06:16 PM

I don't think I've ever seen canning supplies in grocery stores here.

Sparky415 · **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:07:27 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-bx-GULF-WAX-Paraffin-Candlemaking-Canning-2-pounds-/220725758410?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336447c9ca

jzmtl · **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2011, 11:18:33 PM

Ah ebay, how could I forget that lol. I'll search later for one that will ship to canukstan without charging an arm and leg.

rp252 · **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2011, 10:28:04 AM

I just got my survival candle lit outside in the wind and rain no trouble. These things rock!

They do create lots of smoke though

Sparky415 · **Reply #24 on:** March 05, 2011, 12:08:46 PM

That sounds great

The think the hardest thing is to find a good tin with a lid

Neil · **Reply #25 on:** March 05, 2011, 07:54:49 PM

Well the altoids tin has made it back from school. Its still attached to the robot though

As he's just repaired its antennae I don't think I'm going to be able to take it out of service any time soon

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #26 on:** March 05, 2011, 10:20:17 PM

I put together a candle in an Altoids Sours tin a while back...haven't gotten around to test burning it yet. I just trimmed three candles to fit and poured melted wax on top.

Tabasco · **Reply #27 on:** March 06, 2011, 04:23:41 AM

Here is a can of tuna candle. Gives new meaning to " I burnt my dinner ".

http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/tuna_can_lamp

ironraven · **Reply #28 on:** March 07, 2011, 03:08:37 PM

If you can't find canning wax, the seal rings for toilets are usually wax. Melt chunks of it down in a double boiler- doesn't burn quite as hot IMHO, or as bright, but it isn't horrible.

Just, buy a new one, don't try to recycle a used one.

Sparky415 · **Reply #29 on:** August 27, 2011, 06:39:48 PM

After a rather successful evening at the meet my little hobo candle needed refueling with wax
We think it probably ran for an hour and a half but we forgot to time it

Yep I needed 4candles

Ready for the next time

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Survival candle

Donations

Community Links