Improvised candle

[rapidboy]

I had a try at making some pine resin and twig improvised candles.

I found the pine resin melts and runs away quickly so i packed more twigs (especially) at the bottom and this helped retain the resin and increased the burn time.
I then made one with some birch bark along with the twigs and this made it easy to light even in a breeze.

Burn time was around 15 min's for a small one like this and they are surprisingly efficient even in a moderate breeze.

rb

 

[Rhodri]

Not particularly Bushcrafty, but on a similar theme...

Try carrying those mini Babybel cheeses as part of your grub, they're not particularly tasty I know but they're food (of sorts) and wonderfully portable. And if you mould a few of the waxy outer coatings around some string/twine - voila - a very servicable candle.

 

[bloodline]

Excellent idea, it would be good to make a few up for when the camp fire has burnt right down and you just need a bit of light or warmth in a hurry that is portable.

 

[Philbert]

Wow looks super simple and effective. I just wouldnt like to have to move it around too much, a melted blob of pine tar on the hand would smart big style!!!

 

[anthonyyy]

You can make a very nice candle from an orange peel. Leave the white yoke that runs down the middle intact for a wick and fill with olive oil. Lovely scent.

 

[Biddlesby]

Any tips for finding pine resin? I've been looking on some scots pine trees around my area but no luck.

 

[spamel]

You'll see it where a tree has been damaged by deer or a bad woodsman. I regularly find it here in germany, great big globs of the stuff. I also made a candle a few months back and was surprised at how effective it is.

I also tried the babybel candle last night. I used a cotton wool wick and it is awesome. Burns quickly though.

 

[Biddlesby]

That orange peel candle sounds fantastic.

Could I then purposely damage a tree to generate some resin? Not a life-threatening damage of course. How long would I have to wait?

 

[Biddlesby]

Ok my local conservationist was pruning one of his pines, so I've put half-a-milk bottle underneath the cut to collect some resin. I'm dubious over wether I'll be able to get a decent crop owing to the cool weather and the season but we'll see.

Also, I was wondering, could you stick some resin in a pine cone for a quick candle?