How to make a Candle Pot: A clean alternative to a campfire ring

I love camping and making a campfire has always been something I looked forward to, especially as a kid. Now that I am older I do not love the fact that campfires leave me smelling like stale smoke for the rest of the trip. Also, I do not like leaving campfire rings wherever I camp. A few years ago my wife was introduced to the idea of a candle pot while she was on a river trip in the Grand Canyon. A candle pot is basically a giant candle. This video walks you through the steps to make your own candle pot. I would love to hear how it turns out if you decide to try it out.

[@marzsit9833]

it's a big version of a buddy burner, i've been making these in all sizes since the 70's. my favorite ones are made out of royal dansk danish butter cookie tins that are about 8 inches diameter and 2 inches deep with a tight fitting lid, the shallow size fills with wax easily with no floating problems and burns for about 10 hours if you don't refill it with wax. small enough to take backpacking if you wanted to. one thing though, i always use soy-based wax since it burns cleaner than paraffin wax and produces less soot and fumes. some like to add citronella oil to the wax to chase away mosquitoes.

[@elementgypsy]

Thanks. I was wondering how small I could make one? A smaller pot perhaps.

[@bdavison31]

Great tips!

[@auntiedotal]

Ooo, thanks! I have several cookie tins of varying sizes and was also wondering if they could be used for this! And the cit oil would be a 👍 for me because skeeters love me 😝

[@athomas2k8]

@@elementgypsy I make them with old soda cans! Same concept and burns for a while to. But I use them as a fire starter for light larger chunks of wood so I don’t need kindling l!

[@Stay_tooned]

You can use an old cookie tin. They are straight up and down and it has a perfect lid that is snug. it is sometimes easier to roll the cardboard all together. Roll one piece after the other. It is nice and tight and you don't have to keep adjusting the cardboard. You can tear a little strip of cardboard in the center of the ring of cardboard and it become a wick.

[@nickprague1481]

When I make my buddy burners I leave a piece of cardboard standing in the middle that makes it easier to light. I also warm the can or pot which lets the wax flow better to the bottom of the can. Great idea to recharge with a piece of wax.

[@ofermorag]

Hi. Thanks for sharing! For about how long did this candle pot burn for you all?

[@juleneweaver5271]

Hey! I was trying to describe your wife’s candle pot to my husband and looked it up on KZbin to see if I could find an example and here you are! Cool video! We are definitely going to have to make one because yours worked great on the last river trip!

[@jbogus7857]

I saw one of these at a recent vintage camper rally. Really is a great idea. She used hamster bedding instead of cardboard and a cast iron pot. I get to try this on my next camping trip in a month.

[@lanalepper134]

Try adding sawdust to fill the gaps before pouring wax and try using a soy based wax for cleaner burning and cleaning.

[@Frank.Citizen]

Omg I live in BC canada where there's always campfire bans. I'm gonna do that

[@beccaspeechley5247]

Alternatively to the rolled cardboard, could I use egg cartons clumps and charcoal?

[@jwmmitch]

The ones I've bought look like they use egg carton type material for the wicks. And definitely not packed full like he shows in this video. I'm guessing coal/charcoal would not work well because I don't think they'll wick the wax

[@bdavison31]

Thank you!

[@raytango171]

LOVE IT

[@litodevilangel00]

So I tried doing something like this but much smaller using a tin can but I’m having a hard time keeping it lit and relighting it. It’s like the ash will eventually build up and put it out. Have you experienced this issue?

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

You need to on keep adding wax

[@sandravalani359]

ThankS deeply for sharinG your awesome video for Humanity's benefit especially durinG these Batsh#t crazy times with so many people around de Entire World experiencinG Power Outages/Shortages!😥👍It iS very Honorable of you to Empower your wee one how to build thiS kinD of fire especially in case of an emergency!✌🙏😇🌎🌏🌍🌹🌞🌹🔥🔥🔥🌹☕🍵☕

[@MyEcoHomeDiary]

Can one cook with this? Or maybe boil water?

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

Ive never tried cooking with it, Im sure you coudl boil water but I wonder if it would leave a wax residue on the pot from the candle pot?

[@TheAbsolomdark]

Does the bottom of the pot get hot?

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

Yes if you keep it burning for a while

[@BettyMak]

does the cardboard need to be replaced or will they burn equally till the end?

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

If you keep it “charged” with new wax every time you burn it, it should last a really long time.

[@grunechko]

​@TheBeesInYourBackyard how many hours one recharge burn?

[@killgora1]

How long does it last? Hour wise that is.

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

If you just keep adding wax to it every evening, it should last year’s

[@ThomasJeffersonWolfcall-kn3bx]

I think they're asking, how long is the burn time (*without adding more wax)

[@billmthacker]

Soooo why not pour a little wax at the bottom of the pot and then add cardboard and them more wax.

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

You could do that, but when you are burning in the candle pot, the wax melts from the top to the bottom of the pot, so the cardboard really needs to be tight enough that it won’t float when the pot is hot

[@auntiedotal]

How bout if you stuff dryer lint in the spaces? 🤔

[@athomas2k8]

@@auntiedotal 🧐

[@danacoleman4007]

This is silly

[@TheBeesInYourBackyard]

I bet you will love it if you make one (especially in areas where campfires are prohibited like in the grand canyon)