Introduction: How to Make a Water Candle
I show how to make a very easy water candle. This type of water candle is a wick that is centered inside a jar filled with water. The wick is fueled by a thin layer of oil on top of the water.
Step 1: Materials
Step 2: The Wick
The wick of the water candle will be suspended inside the jar between the water and a thin layer of oil. Remove the wick from a candle. Find a glass jar that you would like to use for the candle and cut out a thin plastic disk that will fit inside of the jar. Make a small hole in the center of the thin disk. knot the wick about an inch from the top and then put the wick through the hole.
Step 3: Putting It Together
Fill the jar with water leaving about half an inch empty. Then place the plastic disk and wick on top of the water in the jar. Pour the cooking oil on top of the plastic disk making a thin layer of oil. The water candle is ready to be lit. This candle should not be moved once it is lit so position it where you want it to be before igniting it.
Step 4: Watch the Video
If anything was unclear perhaps this video will help.
2 People Made This Project!
Recommendations
Block Code Contest
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
Make it Glow Contest
31 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Does anyone remember the Corning "Un-Candle"?
Back in my much younger days I thought these were very romantic LOL
What I recall was they were high Gauss dust magnets.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I still have a couple of the wick floats from the Corning Un-candles I bought years ago. I even have one of the short glasses. They look nice in a drinking glass, too and the light spreads better than wax candles since it shines out the sides and bottom of the glass.
Reply 6 weeks ago
i still have the 2 tall glass containers that came with the boxed set. I just ordered wick from amazon and will cut the bottom of plastic bottles. i think i'll put plastic fir branches in them for the holidays.
7 years ago on Introduction
Awesome 'ible. Thank you for making the pictures so clear.
8 years ago on Introduction
I remember when I was a little kid, my grandmother would light two water candles every Friday night. Her water candles had a little float with three little pieces of cork, some steel wire connecting the corks, the wick was held in place suspended in the oil by the steel wire and that's it, no need for the plastic.
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
A product like this is still available from some religious suppliers. Ex. I got a couple from a Greek Orthodox supplier (found on ebay) that was actually located in Greece (just for the cool factor).
8 years ago
Does the wick need to be that long? I'd love to do this if the wick could be shorter!
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
Not at all, it's only a catalyst for the oil;Bottom of the wick just needs to lay sideways in the layer of oil just under the floating wick holder. Once the layer of oil is used up, there's nothing but water..so light's out. All other videos show extremely short wicks that are just touching the oil.
8 years ago
You're cutting up one candle to make another candle...
Wicks are sold seperately at craft stores.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I really wish I could upvote this.
8 years ago on Introduction
If you use citronella oil, it might keep flying nasties, like mosquitoes away.
I think it would be a more pleasant odour .
Love the idea of food colouring in the water.
8 years ago on Introduction
I made these for the centerpieces for my daughter's wedding reception. I colored the water to be purple to match her color scheme. With 3 wicks in each small fish bowl and flowers around the base, they went over well.
8 years ago on Introduction
Is there any reason for the water, perhaps to absorb the heat from the wick?
Would a short wick work just as well.
How about combining this idea with those for making radiant heaters using a candle and clay pots?
And as an idea for campers and those lacking electricity, how to use this to create a cooking device. More wicks and fry an egg?
8 years ago on Introduction
as for the wick, can you just use string? does the wick burn away or is it fueled by the oil? also as for the fish suggestion why not a beta?
8 years ago on Introduction
Looks lovely, but wont this just make my room smell like a chip-shop?
8 years ago on Introduction
Can you elaborate on the advantages of this type of candle?
Reply 8 years ago
I know another advantage for this candle... if it tips over accidentally, there will be water to help put out the flame.
Reply 8 years ago
Oil floats on water. It will spread the flame and catch more on fire.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Vegetable oil is not volatile enough to sustain a little flame and spread. The flame will be easily extinguished by the water if it tips over.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
the oil doesnt burn that way it only assists and slows the wick burning