Survival Candles

[Hess]

I have been filling out my list of things I believe will be useful when the economic collapse happens. I have been looking at several types of survival candles and wondered if anyone had any experience with Colgans, Nuwick, and others. I also see candles in a can with several wicks and don't quite understand how the multiple or replaceable wicks work. I also don't understand the advantages or bee's wax or tallow. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Northern Wisconsin]

I've been stocking up on the tall (9-18 inch) tapered candles for some time now. These candles burn for 5-9 hours.

If you look long and hard, you should be able to find them for .25 each.


I get mine at St. Vincent De PAul thrift shops. Sometimes Walgreens has them for .25 also. I have hundreds and hundreds. I would much rather do it this way then spend 2.00+ dollars on each candle.

[Grinnan Barrett]

I hate to say it but Walmart has 60 hour emergency candles for under $2 each. I have a bag full of them. Look in candle isle.

[Hess]

I'll check both places out, thanks alot guys.

[CraigorPam]

Would y'all please describe what's called 'survival candles' ??
Are those different in any way from others ?
I've scarfed up a bunch of odd candles for, like, forever.. hehe.
The holiday sales usually mean some super discounts, too.

[ken]

Hmmm, as for tallow candles, I am not sure there are any advantages, I think they are on the list since you don't have to have an "oil well" to make them. They date from days before you could buy blocks of parifin, before the age of oil. Tallow, or having some bees for wax, would be the only non paraffin (petroleum product) candle.

As for paraffin candles, unless you need a specific size or shape to fit a candle lantern, I would just shop around for cheap. There will be plenty of holiday candles at thrift and second had stores in January, those will be bargains.

[lrsu121]

We are going to be having a candle making party this weekend.

[Levi]

I think an alcohol/oil lamp or two would be a more practical light source than hundreds of candles. You can stock up on gallons of fuel that can be used for other things and alcohol can be brewed and distilled if you ever run out.

[jeffreyamanning]

Are you looking for candles for your BOB, shelter, house, other? If it was my BOB, I'd look for survival candles. If it was for my shelter or house I'd probably choose to go with the oil lamp. Just stock up on the oil and wicks. If it's other, then I'd probably just build a fire.

[Aikidoka]

This is the one I've used on all my camping trips and now have in my GHB.
http://candlelantern.com/original.html

[PAGUY]

Usually emergency candles are just long term candles. That would be candles that have an extended burn time due to the type of wax and the size (diameter) of the candle.

[bltjr1951]

Originally Posted by Hess

I also see candles in a can with several wicks and don't quite understand how the multiple or replaceable wicks work. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

By having several wicks, the can/candle can be used in a folding stove, taking the place of sterno or other gel fuel cans.
I've got some of the sterno candles. They come in several sizes/burn time.
I've also got some of the "liquid candles", so they won't melt in BOB.
The nice thing about lamp candles is the heat they put off to keep condensation down in tent.
If you can't keep wick trimmed in oil lamp, you'll get alot of soot.
All are a fire risk around kids and pets.

[Kregener]

Just make sure you get "tactical assault military combat" candles...

[bltjr1951]

Originally Posted by jeffreyamanning

If it's other, then I'd probably just build a fire.

Sometimes you can't or won't want to use a fire. The smoke will give your location away to others. The smell will also let others know you're around somewhere.

[dclaarjr]

I don't buy candles. My wife burns a lot of them and used to throw away the wax. I put the wax in a box until it gets full. I take string, or sometimes buy wick from a hobby store, and make my own candles using pop cans for molds.

The candles work really well. In fact, I have so many of them my wife has started stealing them for her own use.

[Northern Wisconsin]

Kev made a nice video on making candles. Here it is http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=31520

[sailinghudson25]

Get Tallow Candles, their edible. Their usually poultry or beef fat.

[andrewphanley]

Originally Posted by Hess

I have been filling out my list of things I believe will be useful when the economic collapse happens. I have been looking at several types of survival candles and wondered if anyone had any experience with Colgans, Nuwick, and others. I also see candles in a can with several wicks and don't quite understand how the multiple or replaceable wicks work. I also don't understand the advantages or bee's wax or tallow. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Use anything but the tealight candles. they only burn for about 30mins.

[CraigorPam]

I can't remember what they're made of, but I've burned tealights that last 8-10 hours !!
Great for scattering all around the living room in the evenings.. hehe.

[Mr. Ed]

5 to 9 hours @ .25ea for $2.00 works below and above the 60 hour candle for $2.00. Question is, which manufacturers stats are correct, and how do you use your candles.