How to Make Candles Using Cooking Oil As an Additive

Give clear reusable cooking oil a second chance at life. With the aid of a few additional materials, cooking oil can be used for making candles. Candles made from used cooking oil are environmentally friendly and do produce less toxic fumes than other candle varieties. Add color by adding food coloring to the oil or painting the exterior of the candle container. Scented oils can be added in small amounts to create a pleasant aroma.

Things You'll Need

• Thin copper wire (1 mm or less in diameter)
• Matchstick
• Cotton wick or cotton ball
• Container
• Strainer (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Fragrance (optional)

Instructions

1. Create the wick holder by wrapping a thin wire (1 mm or less in diameter) several times around a matchstick to create a spiral shape. Gradually increase the size of the spirals so that the last spiral fits tightly within the container's diameter. This large, bottom spiral will hold the wick holder in place.

2. Fit a cotton wick or cotton ball through the spirals. If a cotton ball is used, the bulk of the cotton ball should be in the widest part of the spirals, with some cotton protruding through the top, narrow spirals for a wick.

3. Fit the largest spiral of the wick holder into the base of the candle container.

4. Strain the cooking oil to remove any bits of food or other contaminants. Add a few drops of food coloring or fragrance if desired. Pour the oil into the candle container.

5. Set fire to the top of the cotton ball wick to light the candle.

Tips & Warnings

• Wide, shallow containers work best for oil candles. Do not use plastic. Glass or aluminum works best.

• If the oil begins to run low, simply add more oil. This can be done carefully while the candle is still burning.

• Decorate the exterior of the candle container before creating the candle.

• Olive oil will burn without giving off any odor.

• Candles use open flames to continue burning. Exercise appropriate caution.

References

• Oil Candles
• Vegetable Oil Lamp