In a pinch, you can make emergency candles using common household items. Over the years, I’ve learned that having a backup light source is critical, whether during a power outage or out in the wilderness. Luckily, you don’t need fancy supplies to create a reliable candle. Some of the simplest things you already have around the house can keep the lights on when you need them most.
Here’s a simple guide to making your own emergency candles, using items that are probably sitting in your pantry or cupboards right now.
Crayon Candle
Crayons are made mostly of wax and can serve as quick emergency candles. While they don’t last long, they can provide light for about 15-30 minutes per crayon. To make one, simply stand the crayon up, peel back the paper around the top, and light the exposed wax. The paper acts as a wick.
Cooking Oil and String
If you have any type of oil—olive oil, vegetable oil, or even coconut oil—you can turn it into a makeshift candle. All you need is a small glass jar, oil, and a cotton string or cloth strip to act as the wick. Pour the oil into the jar, leaving room at the top, then place the wick in the oil with one end sticking out of the jar. Light the exposed end, and your candle will burn for hours. This method works because the oil burns slowly, providing a steady flame.
Butter Candle
Believe it or not, butter can be turned into an emergency candle. Just poke a hole in the top of a stick of butter and insert a piece of cotton string or twine to act as the wick. You’ll need to press the string into the butter so it soaks up the fat, but once lit, this candle can last for several hours depending on the size of the butter stick.
Citrus Fruit Candle
For a more natural option, you can make a candle from citrus fruits like oranges or lemons. Cut the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving the pith (the white, spongy part in the middle) attached to the peel—this will be your wick. Pour a bit of oil into the hollowed-out fruit and light the pith. This candle can burn for a couple of hours and also releases a pleasant citrus scent.
Wax and Cotton Balls
If you’ve got cotton balls and some wax on hand (such as leftover candle stubs or even crayons), you can make small emergency candles. Melt the wax in a pot, then dip cotton balls into the liquid wax until fully coated. Place the wax-covered cotton balls on a piece of parchment paper to harden. Once dry, these cotton ball candles can be lit and will burn for a short period, useful in emergencies.
Shortening Candle
Vegetable shortening, like Crisco, is another household item you can turn into a candle. Just fill a heat-safe container with shortening, insert a wick (made from cotton string or a thin cloth strip), and light it. A can of shortening can burn for days, making this an excellent long-term solution in emergencies.
Bacon Grease Candle
If you’ve been cooking and have some leftover bacon grease, don’t throw it away! You can turn it into a candle by pouring the grease into a heat-safe container and adding a wick (like a cotton string or thin strip of cloth). The fat from the bacon will burn slowly and produce a flame, plus it has the added bonus of smelling like bacon!
Cheese Wax Candle
If you buy hard cheeses that come sealed in wax (like Gouda), you can reuse the wax to make small emergency candles. Simply melt down the cheese wax and pour it into a small container or mold with a cotton wick. Once hardened, it functions like a regular candle.
Tuna Can Candle
Canned tuna packed in oil can be a surprisingly effective makeshift candle. Simply open the can without draining the oil, insert a wick made from a strip of cotton cloth, and light it. The oil will act as fuel, and this candle can burn for 2-3 hours. Plus, after the oil is used, the tuna is still edible!
