How to Make a Buddy Burner

A buddy burner is an easy-to-make device that you can use to heat food or get light while camping or in emergency situations where the power has failed. Most of the items you need to make a buddy burner are commonly available in most homes, and the project is one that most children can do with proper adult supervision.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plain corrugated cardboard
• Tin can
• Double boiler
• Paraffin wax

1. Cut strips of plain, unprinted corrugated cardboard in strips. Make sure the width of the strips is slightly narrower than the depth of the tin cans you will be using to make your buddy burners.

2. Roll the strips of cardboard into a coil large enough to fill the tin can, and place it in the can.

3. Melt paraffin wax in a double boiler. Paraffin is flammable, which is great when you want to use your buddy burner. It isn't great when you're trying to melt it, though, so pay close attention.

4. Pour the melted paraffin over the cardboard coil up to the rim of the tin can. You can stick a thin piece of cardboard in the middle of the coil to serve as a wick, but it's not essential as the buddy burner will light without it.

5. Allow the buddy burner to cool until the paraffin has set completely and store in a cool, dry place until needed.

Tips & Warnings

• The best cans to use to make buddy burners are empty tuna fish-style or cat food cans. Make sure you remove the labels first.
• Do not leave a lit buddy burner unattended, especially around young children, and make sure you extinguish the flame completely when you are done using the it. The best way to do this is to use another can to smother the flame, but use a potholder so you don't burn your hand.
• Hot paraffin wax can cause severe burns. Use caution at all times when handling paraffin wax, and supervise children closely.

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