Survival Candles Part 3: DIY Olive Oil Lamp

In our last DIY survival candle article, I showed you how to construct the butter candle. The butter candle can light up your home for at least four hours. But there is another survival candle that burns for even longer: the olive oil lamp.

How to Make Your Own Olive Oil Lamp

The olive oil lamp can last up to 12 hours – which could really help you in a blackout! This lamp also will produce the most heat of any DIY survival candle that we have talked about thus far. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive candle, but it really doesn’t matter in an urban survival situation. This candle is extremely easy to make and only requires a few kitchen supplies.

Olive oil lamp supplies:

• A Glass Bottle and it’s cap
• A pint (16 oz.) of olive oil
• A paper towel
• A lighter or match

How to make an olive oil lamp:

Step 1: Fill your glass bottle with olive oil.

Step 2: Drill a tiny hole through the center of the lid.
Step 3: Crumple your paper towel into a thick strand, then place it into the bottle. Push the paper towel through the cap's hole. (Important: Be sure to drench the entire towel in olive oil first. This will make igniting the candle easier.)

Step 4: Use your lighter or match to light the paper towel.

The olive oil lamp is by far one of the best survival candles that you can make with your kitchen supplies. Always have some spare olive oil in your kitchen – you may need it in a survival situation.

For awesome survival gear you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Want to learn more? Click here to learn how to make a DIY survival candle out of an orange.