DIY Orange and Olive Oil Candle: Nature’s Illumination for Survival

In the wild, where resources can be scarce, creating your own light source can be a crucial survival skill. In this article, we’ll guide you through crafting a DIY orange and olive oil candle, a natural and practical illumination solution that can be a lifesaver in the great outdoors.

Essential Survival Candle Ingredients:

1. An Orange: When in the wild, an orange serves as not just a refreshment but also a vital part of your survival toolkit. It will act as both your candle container and a source of a pleasant citrus scent.
2. Olive Oil: Opt for high-quality olive oil, which not only provides a clean and steady flame but also carries a faint, calming fragrance.
3. Sharp Blade: Your trusty survival knife will help you cut and carve the orange.
4. Improvised Wick: In a survival situation, you can fashion a wick from materials like cotton fabric, shoelaces, or dry grass.

Steps to Create Your Survival Candle:

1. Prepare the Orange:
   • Slice the orange in half horizontally using your survival knife. This serves a dual purpose: one half as your candle’s container, and the other for sustenance.
2. Wick Construction:
   • Cut a piece of your improvised wick material, ensuring it’s long enough to extend a little above the orange peel’s rim.
   • Twist and shape the wick into a suitable form to facilitate burning.
3. Fill with Olive Oil:
   • Pour olive oil into the hollowed orange peel, ensuring it fills up to just below the rim.
4. Insert the Wick:
   • Gently place one end of your improvised wick into the oil. Let it soak for a moment to absorb the oil.
   • Then, guide the dry end of the wick over the peel’s edge, securing it in place.
5. Ignite Your Survival Candle:
   • Before lighting, allow the wick to absorb enough oil to burn steadily.
   • Carefully ignite the wick, and your improvised candle will cast a warm, reliable glow.

Survival Safety Tips:

• Always maintain a vigilant watch over your candle while it’s lit.
• Place it on a non-flammable surface to avoid accidents.
• Keep it away from combustible materials and gusty winds.

Survival Versatility: In a survival scenario, your orange and olive oil candle not only provides essential illumination but also offers a sense of comfort in the wild. It’s a testament to nature’s resourcefulness and your ingenuity in making the most out of what’s available. So, let it light your way and help you navigate the challenges of the great outdoors.