What's the best emergency candle?

ERdept

ERdept

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I searched under "storm candle" but couldnt get anything. Say you need candle light for a week. What do you suggest as a good brand.

I see the Storm type candle in a tin with 3 wicks in them and a reddish wax. Is this the shizzle to get?
 
Few candles will last a week when you concider at least 5 hours a day for 7 days. Also tin candles are heavy.

A tip from Ron Hood is to use a used shotgun shell, knock out the USED primer and cut off the plastic. Slip the metal cap over the pink lady candle to extend the life.
 
Try a web search for "Nuwick Candle". They make 120 hour candles that are designed to fit in a small stove. Campmor has them, there are readily available on the web.
 
Wal-Mart sells Sterno brand "emergency candles" that are listed as burning for 60 hours. I've never timed one but they do seem to last pretty darn long compared to 'decorative' candles -- each is a little taller but about the same diameter as a 12 oz soda can and costs <$3.

I've also noticed that the Glade brand scented candles (the kind that come in their own class container) last a very long time and are also cheap (and fragrant).

Finally, if you want a balance between burn time and portability, I recommend keeping a stock of tea lights around and then burn them in a little candle lantern -- I get my tea lights in bulk at craft stores or home improvement stores very cheaply, and the tea lanterns can be had for <$5 each at Sportsmans Warehouse or Gander Mountain, among other places.
 
I had occasion to use some of the little UCO 9 hr candles. They are small, and a harder wax. They are made for the candle lanterns, but it worked well just sitting in a tumbler.
 
OK, I see 15 UCO candles for $18 total. That's .83 each for 135 hours.

The Nuwick is about $10 each. Say I buy 2 for $20 plus $5 shipping, then I have 240 hours of light.

I have my answer. Hopefully this helps out others as will. The Nuwick seems the way to go. No extra container needed and can cook with it.

The UCO's seemed good, but need to be put into a container or are orginally disigned for a candle lamp. I love this forum.:D
 
I have a UCO candle lantern I used backpacking for years. Still works great.
Use it in power failures. Highly portable.

The candles are good inside or outside of the UCO Lantern.
Packs of 3 , that's 27 hours worth of lit candle.

I use the UCO style citronella candles in the summer, keep the biters away, or, at least at bay.

The candle lanterns compress to a small size when not in use.
They keep a candle burning in windy conditions, also put out decent heat, considering it's just a single candle. They have a vented metal top that really gets hot to the touch. The body makes a good hand warmer.

UCO candles. :thumbup:

UCO candle lantern :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
I have to agree with skunkwerx I have been using a candle lantern since boy scouts, It is safer than an open candle in a house or shelter, far more wind resistant, you have more options for positioning including hanging the light. I know you can boil water on the larger 3 candle version.

There are many availale options including reflectors and even LED base plates that allow you to use the lantern as a flashlight.


www.campmor.com
 
ERdept said:
I searched under "storm candle" but couldnt get anything. Say you need candle light for a week. What do you suggest as a good brand.

I see the Storm type candle in a tin with 3 wicks in them and a reddish wax. Is this the shizzle to get?
Click to expand...

Why not just make them? Use old tuna or cat food tins, melt the wax (in a double boiler or in a smaller can, floating in water in a bigger can), insert the wicks (whatever # you want), and you're all set.

In regards to SirJames' post: "A tip from Ron Hood is to use a used shotgun shell, knock out the USED primer and cut off the plastic. Slip the metal cap over the pink lady candle to extend the life.", the idea is that the wax that is melted doesn't run down the side of the candle but rather stays up around the wick to fuel it. The tuna can does the same thing in a 'storm candle'.

Also, a gentleman by the name of Abbe Osram used to have a web site on which was a candle/stove made out of 2 tin cans and fueled by tea light candles. It was used in snow shelters to: A. light up the snow shelter B. provide a measure of heat to said snow shelter, and C. would supply a continuous supply of melted snow for drinking water. I went to the site to check the URL, but it is no longer working. If anybody's interested, I can email them the information.

Doc
 
What about them prank candles for birthday cakes that re-light themselves after you blow them out?

There must be some kind use for that "technology" for the survivalist!
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
I have to agree with skunkwerx I have been using a candle lantern since boy scouts, It is safer than an open candle in a house or shelter, far more wind resistant, you have more options for positioning including hanging the light. I know you can boil water on the larger 3 candle version.

There are many availale options including reflectors and even LED base plates that allow you to use the lantern as a flashlight.
Click to expand...

I've just used the basic UCO lantern, no reflectors. The top metal heat shield gets hot, I mean burn your finger hot. If you placed a small tin cup on there, it would certainly warm tea, maybe not boil it, but it would be plenty warm. The big UCO uses 3 tea light candles, it must put out good heat and light, but, in my expereince a tea lgiht candle will go for 1-2 hours, then, Kaput.

I've really looked hard at the Nu-Wick system, you can't argue with 120 hours of candle light. Was thinking about stashing one at home, at least, for power failures.

The Citronella candles for the UCO just make the small device even better.

Doc, I like the idea of making candles, but what about the extended burn times? I'm guessing it's got to be the proper formuation of waxes?

The open flame candles suffer from wind difficulties, so, a shield would be in order.
 
The LED flashlight has made candles obsolete for most short to mid term lighting purposes, IMO. The candle still has some use in winter vehicle kits for emergency heat proposes (if trapped in a blizzard).
I used the small single candle lanterns for years, they are compact light weight and well designed for the job. I have all so tried using the many accessories, reflectors, stands, can holders to allow heating of food etc; they were all more trouble than they were worth (for me, at least).
For emergency candles contact a church and find out what they do with their old candles and where they get the new ones. Don't forget to inquire about the brass caps that contain the wax for longer candle life. Plumbers candles and other long life candles have an additive to the wax that results in longer burn times (I want to say sterate but I'm not certain. If I can find the name I will add it to the post).
Info on church candles;
http://cathedralcandles.com/use_care.cfm
Enjoy!
 
SkunkWerX said:
I've just used the basic UCO lantern, no reflectors. The top metal heat shield gets hot, I mean burn your finger hot. If you placed a small tin cup on there, it would certainly warm tea, maybe not boil it, but it would be plenty warm.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I use my UCO lantern for making tea on the trail. Quick, easy and efficient way to make a hot cup of tea.

Although I don't recommend it, I've also used my UCO lanter inside my tent vestibule in really cold conditions - actually seemed to bring the inside temp of the tent up a few degrees. The top metal heat shield spreads the heat out enough that it doesn't threaten to torch a hole in the nylon. Nestled in a boot sitting under the vestibule, it's a pretty nifty tent heater.

But again, candles inside a tent are a really bad idea. Do as I say, not as I do. :)
 
I see to remember "Survival is a Dieing Art" recomending candles with a certain fat content so they could be eaten in an emergency. But i have never been able to find any.
 
akennedy73 said:
Yeah, I use my UCO lantern for making tea on the trail. Quick, easy and efficient way to make a hot cup of tea.

Although I don't recommend it, I've also used my UCO lanter inside my tent vestibule in really cold conditions - actually seemed to bring the inside temp of the tent up a few degrees. The top metal heat shield spreads the heat out enough that it doesn't threaten to torch a hole in the nylon. Nestled in a boot sitting under the vestibule, it's a pretty nifty tent heater.

But again, candles inside a tent are a really bad idea. Do as I say, not as I do. :)
Click to expand...

akennedy, indeed, I have also used the candle lantern as a "tent warmer".
Found a tin can, placed in there. If i had to guess, it evaporates the moisture inside. instead of having that "funky" moist feeling in the morning, eveything is nice and dry. I agree, I think it raises the internal temp. not much, but, there seems to be a difference.

Disclaimer: DON'T USE CANDLES in TENTS.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
.....
Also, a gentleman by the name of Abbe Osram used to have a web site on which was a candle/stove made out of 2 tin cans and fueled by tea light candles. It was used in snow shelters to: A. light up the snow shelter B. provide a measure of heat to said snow shelter, and C. would supply a continuous supply of melted snow for drinking water. I went to the site to check the URL, but it is no longer working. If anybody's interested, I can email them the information.

Doc
Click to expand...

The original idea probably comes from Monty Alford's book "Winter Wise" . he calls his stove the Youcan stove and uses it inside snow shelters for keeping hydrated.

I have made three sizes a small which uses two candles and goes in my but-pack, a medium which uses three candles and goes in my sled and a magnum which uses a three wik survival candle and fits in the skidoo. These work though a small fire is a lot faster.

Here's the magnum...

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Be very careful using candles in emergency situations. Don't try to light up the house and keep an eye on them. I had one of those large candles in the glass that was about half burnt down burst the glass and run wax all over my floor. I was upstairs and when I came down, the kitchen floor was on fire as the flame traveled down the wax and it caught some paper on the table that it was on on fire as well. I will NEVER leave any candle unattended in my house again.

Also, my brother's house burnt down because a cat knocked over a candle in his office. They were home and it still got going good enough that they could not put it out. That happened on Black Friday.

From my perspective, the best candle is a cheap battery operated lantern. The oil lamps seem to work pretty well too; they seem to behave.
 
This talk of tent warming reminds me to remind everyone else. Don't go snow camping, and then later decide to warm up the tent with a gas stove. It all works great until it is nice and cosy, and you fall asleep.:eek: Then, if you are fortunate, you wake up choking and see a weak little propane flame. Then you shut the stove off, open the tent up, and lose all that warm air.:mad: :D You are much better off just taking a ground pad and a proper sleeping bag.:D On the matter of using an led light instead of a candle. There are activities/uses where I prefer a candle, but if it is only light, my little Fenix E0 does the same job, can be turned on and off, is smaller than a AA battery, weighs almost nothing, and runs for 8 hrs constant brightness on a AAA batt, and another 12 diminishing. That light and 3 extra batts take up less space or weight than 1 9 hr candle. That being said, they are not a firestarter, and do not give off any heat.
 
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