A tea candle stove?

[@ruck-a-tron]

I remember when I was a boy scout that we once put a candle inside a coffee can to cook with. Just punch some holes in it and turn it upside down over the candle. It was enough to fry an egg on some foil.

[@robynsmith4164]

Hey Mike! I’ve seen a couple videos related to heating/boiling water with tea light candles lately and wanted to share one of them I found with you! So, a guy took about 16 tea light candles (four rows of four candles) and put them down into an 8” X 10” metal cooking pan with approx. 1.5” tall sides. (You could use any small metal cake pan!) He lit each candle and put them all on the left side of the pan. He then took a frying pan with a glass lid (you can also use a lidded sauce pan, these pans maximize the surface area to the candles) and put it on top of the left side of the pan. He added about 16 oz. of cool water to the frying pan. He then put the lid back on. He said to put about an inch clearance between the candle flame and the bottom of the pan. The water started boiling around the 9 minute mark! I live in southeast Texas and lost power for over a week due to the freezing weather a couple months ago. Unfortunately, I do not have natural gas for my stove/oven or my central heating, they all require electricity! Thankfully, my Mother and I are originally from northern Ohio (we moved down here in 1992) so we knew some tricks to keep a few rooms in our homes warm! All three of my kids came home from College this semester due to COVID-19, so I had to keep ALL of us warm and fed! My area also had to boil our tap water to make it safe to drink for over three weeks. Unfortunately, there were MANY Texans who lost everything due to freezing pipes and other sub freezing weather catastrophes. My family was very fortunate! I also watched a video where a Canadian man used three tea light candles and two different sized clay pots (stacked on top of one another) to warm a 20’ X 20’ room and it worked! It heated the room for over six hours. I will find the video and come back and link it to my comment. I hope you have a great evening! Love from Texas ♥️🤠🌴

[@docink6175]

I think the dollar tree candles are larger diameter than most tea lights or maybe my generic stove is a little larger because I can easily fit 4 candles and a lighter in mine, that 4th candle REALLY helps with boil time. I think anyone who drives in colder climates should have one of these and a stack of candles, even if you dont boil the water it will get warm enough to warm YOU and the radiant heat will help in the car (be sure to crack a window)

[@m7791]

Try it again with a lid! I make tea all the time on top of my little UCO (single candle) lantern with a similar sized cup + lid and it works well for me. It’s a little tippy but good enough. I’ve never bothered to measure the temperature though.

[@m005kennedy]

Great idea!!

[@thomasmusso1147]

I use the T-Lite Candles for their intended purpose and then repurpose the empty candle holders. I fill them with Alcohol-based Gel Fuel or, with liquid Alcohol Fuel. In the case of liquid fuel, I fill the Holders with Ceramic / Glass Wool or Carbon Cloth to mitigate the hazard of burning fuel spillage. Brings 300ml water to a boil and / or cooks Breakfast Oats, Eggs, Bacon, etc with no problems. Burn time is quite short, but refilling is easy. Also, the Alcohol Gel Fuel burns clean. The stove fully open .. two sections, cut to size, off a SS Bicycle Spoke or Barbecue Skewer and the ends bent down at 90°, will allow awkward pot sizes to be accommodated.

[@m005kennedy]

Thanks for the info

[@thomasmusso1147]

​@@m005kennedy 👍

[@robinj.9329]

I've seen some pretty large, multi-wick candles used to heat rations with. Most have 4 or 5, and occasionally 6 wicks. There seems to be one rather short, squat one that's popular with Hikers in Europe. Maybe their "Homemade"??? But the do work! Just not as fast as your average "Pocket Rocket"!

[@glynnburchett5554]

It can be done and in a short time with a can system,or other systems, right can system and shorter distance from the candle , this is handy with power out our camping

[@m005kennedy]

Thanks for the info

[@gwynnmcnevin7930]

Great experiment, maybe blocking the sides a bit to channel the heat up and a lid. Thank you for the demonstration.

[@George-wx9dj]

Nice little experiment, good for some light when power goes out.

[@m005kennedy]

And maybe some warm cocoa? We have an old fashion kerosene lamp we bring out for any power failure. They are safe and very reliable.

[@George-wx9dj]

@@m005kennedy Mike I’m a new subscriber today and I live just south of Warren Ohio which is the northeast part of Ohio. So we have somewhat the same weather. I’ll be 71 in 10 days.

[@drivestorage1779]

always wondered bout that, never had the chance to put it to the test. I did a test on one of those uno candle lanterns once, 30 minutes to get water boiling in one of those stanley stainless steel pots (had its lid on). So no, it won't be a fast boil, but it will do if that's all we have. I was testing this because I wanted to see if we could do this candle cooking thing while camping. Somebody keeps on forgetting to bring fuel. Imagine the surprise when u have all the ingredients all nicely cut and ready to start the stove. No fuel! I think this candle cooking thing could work.

[@jakepiemme9600]

Cool video. If u have clearance try a fourth candle sitting on top of the other three. Increases ur heat quite alot as well as reducing time spent

[@Valosia]

Great for making Ramen (either the cups or pkg, though yes it is possible & safe to actually eat Ramen Noodles straight, without cooking them.. they were actually cooked once, if you didn't know). I personally, plan on using these for Raven in an emergency, myself. Or, to way up a can of something... Those are great to do! I also have planned to make Mashed Potatoes, and maybe a can of corn, peanut or green beans or something.. in an emergency with tea lights. I have used them to warm up cans before.. and it is a great thing to do, especially during the winter or something, because if you loose power in the winter, you will honestly want something warm to eat and this will help take the chill out of your food, and having a warm or hot meal, would seriously help you! (It could even be a life saver, to be honest!) Making a hot cup of coffee, hot coco or even hot tea, would honestly help someone who looses power because of a winter storm!!! I love watching videos of this stuff, I was just thinking about doing this, amd wanted to see another video of someone cooking with tea lights (even if it is water), which is how I ran into your video! Anyways, yes Ramen Noodles is one thing you can most definitely make with tea lights! It is something that you can make alot of stuff with, using a pkg or two, with a couple/few teaspoon full of Spegettai sauce, along with some seasonings... would honestly help alot!!!! It is cheap Spegettai! And then throw in a can of veggies, mushrooms, or whatever you want and it would be a great meal! YumA

[@prizm63]

Using my Ikea tea light lantern as a base then placing inside glass tea light holders stacked up allow mass and directed heat upward ., then used a tin can with holes with metal screwers to allow air flow. Then place my cup of water COVERED provided 160 in about 30 min safely. For added safety due to liquid wax I saved an old candy tin.

[@m005kennedy]

There is an oil lantern they sell with an attachment put a small pot on the top of the chimney. It won't boil water.

[@m7791]

You can also make a sleeve to insulate the cup with a small piece of fire proof welding blanket and then clip it around the cup with a stainless steel chip clip.

[@m005kennedy]

A cozy is the name for what you suggest. Your idea is great

[@carolmurray123]

I have watched Ms. Clara! She was awesome! I wonder if the efficiancy of your stove/candle combination could have been improved with a terra cotta pot base, or a metal baking pan instead of (or on top of) the cutting board base?

[@m005kennedy]

I think i just needed more candles

[@kathreenmargaret1883]

Posted it also on Facebook. Thanks again. 🌷🙏🎶

[@lucyward4391]

I think kettles come with lids for a reason. If you had put a lid on the cup things might have turned out differently?

[@m005kennedy]

Perhaps. I was just taking too long

[@MichaelGarcia-nc8om]

A UCO 3 candle lantern, a small pot or pan, and a lid along with some water go a long way towards your goal.

[@robmontier3770]

5:25 light them first, then drop them in.

[@leighmonty13]

Honestly a lid on that cup and it would of boiled ,ive bought some tea lights for back up ive seen a old bean tin burner use and works

[@melodymcminn4107]

I light them first and then place them down :)

[@josierussell3290]

You need 7 t lite candles and a Dutch oven to cook loaf of bread. Search YT

[@m005kennedy]

That doesn't sound like enough heat. I'll look it up. It could be a prank video.

[@glynnburchett5554]

Iv been using candles for a long long time,I even make my own and my own wicks, when using a candle can the candle draws air from the bottom and pushes the hot air and co up , this draw pulls more air from the bottom,

[@m005kennedy]

Great!

[@bncsmom1]

I wouldn't use this. I'd use two bricks and a disposable aluminum pan, like a small loaf pan, to heat water. Place the tea candles in a triangle shape like with this (or square if using four candles), but then put the two bricks on either side of the candle triangle. Don't start with a cold pan already filled with water, though! That will add a LOT of time to the heating time! Place the disposable loaf pan on top and let it start to heat then a couple minutes later start to add room temp water, pouring it in a slow stream so that it begins to heat as you're pouring it in. Then cover it with foil once the water is all in. It'll trap steam, helping to heat itself faster.

[@m005kennedy]

Good idea.

[@practicalguy973]

Interesting results. Lots of heat lost with the open stove. You need a miniature wood stove to hold those tea candles!

[@m005kennedy]

There is a lot of heat loss. But also tea candle don't stay solid like candles. Bump the and it end up in a nasty mess. I think I'd go for more solid candles next time. I think you need more wicks. If each tea candles and two wicks we would be better off. They sell a survival candle that also turns into a liquid but you can float up to three wick on it. I think that might do the job. But some aluminum foil could certainly stop some heat loss with this stove.

[@dibibob1474]

thanks ;)

[@aparecidomiranda6637]

Ótimo vídeo Parabéns boa diga Obrigado 👍👍🇧🇷

[@kathreenmargaret1883]

Thank you., Mike. Enjoyed your video. What kind of cup? 🌷🙏🎶 found the Esbit Medium pocket stove on Amazon. Almost $15.

[@m005kennedy]

It is a metal cup It is made of a size that allows you to put the matching metal water bottle in. This is marketed by Dave Canterbury. www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/

[@kathreenmargaret1883]

@@m005kennedy thank you very much. 🌼🙏🎶

[@leo959]

A single candle is 75-85 btu’s a typical house stove is 16,000 btu’s. Your setup will take forever to boil that water. But in theory it should eventually boil.

[@m005kennedy]

I think they would burn out before the water boiled

[@leo959]

@@m005kennedy true. You should check out the forever wick with carbon felt and a copper tube and olive oil. I think its so fascinating.

[@sscb1]

I wonder if a cotton ball placed in a liquified tea candle would make a good enough wick for boiling water in a reasonable amount of time?

[@m005kennedy]

A larger wick could draw up more wax at once.

[@jakepiemme9600]

I use cotton balls with a small amount of petroleum jelly for fire starters. Works excellent but I dunno bout trying to boil water with em?

[@michaeldupont797]

Great video. Just curious how close to boiling was the water before you abandoned the experiment? I grew up in Lancaster myself.

[@m005kennedy]

Not close at all. Maybe if time isn't a problem and you use a smaller amount of water you might get there. The fuel tablets give off cyanide when burned so they can only be used outside in a well ventilated area.

[@IAMGWH1]

~70% ethyl alcohol hand sanitizer (free COVID-19 perk giveaway) in those empty tea candle containers 1-2 or 3 boils faster & NO soot! I have that emergency stove love it’s small size with a diy (Sgt Rock ion stove) 5.5oz juice/ Red Bull can cut down 2 wall insulated with an opening on top to fill, 16 holes (thumb tack) around the rim for the flames and perfect heat as a burner with that stove. I know it’s about candle flame emergency cooking but an hour? Too long…nice video I thought I’d chime in on.

[@m005kennedy]

Yes it was way too long. The hexamine type tables are what it b was designed for. I just thought I would give this a try.

[@IAMGWH1]

@@m005kennedy Nothing beats a failure but a try! I’ve played around with all types of diy cooking or warming sources while “homeless” and wanted to pass on good information to the others struggling for hot food or drinks. A buddy told me those candles are great along with a poncho for staying warm in an emergency so I’ve plenty of those Dollar Tree candles like you! It does have its place for survival.

[@IAMGWH1]

@@m005kennedy Try the screw off aluminum tops from an energy drink bottle or the 1qt beer bottle, slightly larger than one of those candles & holds enough fuel to fast boil or slower boil with a (cotton, fiberglass insulation) wick & no burning spilled fuel if knocked over.

[@aparecidomiranda6637]

Aqui no Brasil não tem isso não 👍

[@marcarriaga3201]

Dud just created the first ever true perpetual mation device and stopped it

[@m005kennedy]

Impossible

[@JG-dt2ub]

Use a bbq lighter/ stick lighter

[@nickprague1481]

Why do this? How about the candles being a lot cheaper than Esbit fuel.

[@m005kennedy]

It just appears you would need to use more than I did. Also, i could make a circle of aluminum foil around the stove to direct more of the heat up to my container.