Candles still hold their own as a viable secondary or tertiary emergency lighting option, despite the fact that nearly any combination of LED lights paired with rechargeable batteries far surpasses the best candle in terms of size, weight, lumens, reusability, durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
The one advantage candles still maintain over contemporary light sources is that they can be crafted fairly easily with just a few basic tools and materials. For instance, we recently came across a meme suggesting that you could turn an ordinary orange into a makeshift candle.
We wanted to explore whether this was truly feasible and if it could serve any practical purpose in an emergency situation.
In short: yes, it works, but it’s a rather tricky process with limited utility in preparedness scenarios.
To understand why an orange can function as a candle while other fruits like apples or bananas cannot, you need to look at its internal structure—specifically, the fibrous core, or pith, which serves as the wick.
Moving outward from the core, the edible part of the orange—the part we consume—is called the endocarp, which consists of segments we commonly refer to as orange wedges. On the exterior, the orange is encased in a tough rind, which has two layers. The outermost layer is the exocarp, or zest, and beneath it lies the mesocarp, the white part of the rind.
The key to transforming an orange into a candle involves removing the juicy endocarp while keeping the core and rind intact. Here, the core acts as the wick, and the rind contains the fuel.
There are several methods outlined online, but this is the technique I found most reliable. Start by taking a very sharp knife and slicing into the rind near the center of the orange, parallel to the stem. Be careful not to cut all the way through the orange, as this could damage the pith and render it useless as a wick.
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Once you’ve split the rind, gently work your thumb between the rind and the endocarp on the side with the stem. Your aim is to carefully separate the rind from the inner fruit.
After separating the rind, slowly pull the two halves apart. If done correctly, you should have two halves of an orange, one with the endocarp remaining intact around the pith. Pulling the orange apart may even detach some of the endocarp from the other half.
Finally, use your fingers to scoop out the remaining endocarp without disrupting the pith. When you're finished, you'll have a bowl-like structure with a stem protruding from the center. It may take a few tries to perfect this method.
The challenging part is over. Now you need to fill your orange candle with oil and light it. To prevent it from wobbling, place the orange in a small ramekin.
Pour olive oil into the orange half, ensuring the oil flows directly onto the wick so it gets thoroughly saturated. Fill the orange until the oil reaches as close to the top of the wick as possible. Light the wick using a candle, grill lighter, or long match; it might take a few seconds to ignite.
For optimal performance, consider using long matches. Two great options include PBL Matches, which are durable and easy to light, or Diamond Long Reach matches, known for their consistent quality and large flame.
Lastly, scoop out the other half of the orange and cut a small hole in the top to act as a windscreen.
While it's technically possible to create a candle from an orange, it’s not particularly practical unless you live in an orange-growing region during hurricane season. This process requires specific conditions—a sharp knife, oranges, and olive oil—and isn’t something I’d recommend attempting in low-light situations.
Surprisingly, it doesn’t smell as pleasant as you’d expect. Instead of the refreshing scent of oranges, it emits a burnt rope and olive oil aroma, though thankfully it’s not overpowering.
Perhaps keep this trick in your back pocket, but for dependable lighting during a blackout, you’ll fare better with flashlights, headlamps, or conventional candles.
A gas grill is a type of outdoor grill that uses propane or natural gas as a fuel source to cook food. It typically has a metal cooking grate, burners, and a hood or lid to trap heat and smoke. Gas grills are popular because they are easy to use and offer precise temperature control, making them ideal for grilling a variety of foods, from burgers and hot dogs to vegetables and seafood. They can also be used year-round, as they do not require charcoal or wood for fuel. Some gas grills also have additional features such as side burners, rotisserie attachments, and built-in thermometers.
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