Easy Emergency Oil Lamp

This little oil lamp provides sufficient light for some camping needs and would be great out on the patio as it is fairly wind proof.

I was lying awake one night and this idea popped into my head. Early the next day i had the two beers for breakfast so I could take these pics and share them with you all. I haven't seen anything like this online so hopefully I'm first. My ego would enjoy knowing that.

OK......construction is simple. But look.......slow fuels only!!! cooking oil, olive oil, bacon grease, Kerosene, lamp oil.....ABSOLUTELY NO GASOLINE, NAPTHA OR ALCHOHOL!!!!

The only trick is this: KEEP THE WICK SHORT. WITH LAMP OIL I'M KEEPING MINE JUST ABOUT 1/16". ANY MORE THAN THIS AND IT WILL SMOKE OR GET WILD.

If you want to hang it, use wire, not string, it gets hot on top!!

OK: here we go:

Two cans, anything but Fosters, the metal is too light

Cut one off about an inch high, and flute the edge, pop three holes in it: wick, fill and breather.

Then feed in the wick. Cotton string, hemp twine, twisted threads off the bottom of your shirt, shoe lace, dried grass twisted up.....whatever.

Here is a view, inside, showing the flutes

Now.......cut out a window from the other can, making the bottom the same depth as the first can you cut off. And, make the window tall as the can side, ending it where the shoulder of the can starts.

Insert the portion with the wick and push down, evenly and neatly. The wick should be in one of the outside holes, the center hole is for fillling. the wick should be toward the back. Fuel up and light the wick. Watch it so ensure it does not flare up. Ah, let there be light.