How to Light a Candle Without a Lighter
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Imagine this: You just received your new Smells candle. How exciting! You open the package and remove the lid of the candle. You take a HUGE whiff and inhale the incredible candle’s aromas. You then set the candle down and reach for the lighter, only to find that it is missing! Oh no! How will you light your new candle now?
Stay calm and get into some cozy clothes because we have 6 ways to light a candle without a lighter. Meaning you will not even have to leave the house! Follow this guide, and your home will smell incredible in no time!
Hacks to Light a Candle Without a Lighter
#1 Matches
If you have a box of matches lying around, then you are golden! Matches can be a highly effective alternative to a standard lighter. To light a match, all you need to do is strike the rounded tip of the match on the side of the box that looks like sandpaper. This motion will cause a spark to light up your match. From there, you can go ahead and light your candle like you usually would.
#2 Use the Stove
If you do not have any matches, your next best bet is to work with your stove. This is easier if you have a gas stove because of the active flame; however, an electric stove will also work. Grab something long and flammable such as a pencil (you can also use a dry piece of spaghetti, as silly as that sounds!).
Turn your stove on and hold the object to the heat source until it catches fire, and Wala! You made a homemade torch! You can now proceed to light your scented candle.
#3 A Battery and a Piece of Foil
This next one is more difficult, so I will break it down into easy-to-follow steps. But to start, find yourself a battery and a piece of tin foil (make sure to find a charged battery).
Follow the directions below:
Step 1: Make a 3/4" tinfoil strip twice the length of the battery.
Step 2: Make a half-fold with the tin foil.
Step 3: The folded end should be shaped into a point that is approximately 1/4 inch wide.
Step 4: Take the tinfoil and unfold it.
Step 5: Place both ends of the tinfoil on the candle wax and hold each end to the battery terminal.
Step 6: After a few seconds, the middle section of the tinfoil should be hot enough to light your candle.
#4 A Magnifying Glass
This is another tricky one and will take a bit of practice. You can use the steps below to try and light your candle without a lighter and with using a magnifying glass instead!
Step 1: To prepare tinder, tear dried leaves, grass, or bark into small pieces. Use a piece of paper or a char cloth as tinder.
Step 2: Choose a safe place: Choose a place where nothing but tinder will burn, such as concrete pavement or a place with little greenery.
Step 3: For the magnifying glass to produce sufficient energy and start a fire, hold it between the tinder and the sun until the circle of light on the tinder or char cloth gets as small and round as possible.
Step 4: The circle should be held in a single position for at least 20-30 seconds; this will allow the tinder to catch fire and smoke. If the circle is moved, the heat will not cause a flame.
Step 5: Using a long wooden pencil or stick, light the wick with fire once the tinder starts burning.
Step 6: Make sure the flame is extinguished once you're done. During this final stage, you must be careful not to ignite the environment unintentionally.
#5 Flint & Steel
Among these methods of lighting candles, flint can also be used to light your candle while outdoors. Although, this method is one of the most difficult to light a candle without a lighter.
Follow the instructions below:
Step 1: You can use toilet paper or paper towels to fill a fire-resistant cup.
Step 2: To make a strike of light, rub the flint against anything made of iron, such as an axe blade.
Step 3: Light the paper with a spark that comes from the flint and steel
Step 4: Light the candle once the paper has burned
#6 A Cotton Bud and Lip Balm
The following technique will show how to light candles without a lighter or match using an ear swab and lip balm if you want to broaden your knowledge of survival skills.
Step 1: Tear the wool on top: This will make it easier to catch fire when a spark is produced.
Step 2: You can make a long-burning candle by applying some lip balm, lip gloss, or Chapstick (Vaseline).
Step 3: Using a 30-degree angle, push down a metal striker next to the ear sticks to generate a spark.
Step 4: Take the ear swab to the candle and light it once a small spark is caught on it.
FAQ
What does a candle need in order to burn?
A candle needs a wick to stay lit, a heat source (fire), and continuous oxygen flow. Without each of these components present, you will not be able to light your candle or keep it lit for long.
What should you put a candle out after 4 hours?
You should put your candle out after 4 hours because of “wick mushrooming.” This term refers to when the wick gets a lot of carbon built up on it and can create a fire hazard. Put out your candle every 4 hours, wait for the wick to cool, and pull off the excess carbon.
What happens to the wax when a candle burns?
Similar to water, when the wax heats up while burning a candle, it evaporates into the air. (it disappears but not out of nowhere, just like boiling water).
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