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Power Outage Slush Lamp https://survivaltek.com/?p=6972 https://survivaltek.com/?p=6972#comments Mon, 29 Jan 2024 17:19:17 +0000 https://survivaltek.com/?p=6972 Slush Lamp
Recently there was a power outage where I live. Although I have many backup light sources I wanted to refer to my Slush Lamp Basics as an alternative light source. Although there are many possibilities such as
Emergency Fuels From Your Car, I wanted to use a more conventional fuel so I chose some canola oil from my kitchen.

I have found that natural fibers work best when choosing a wick, and that a ribbon or tape shape rather than a round shape provides a better light source.

Cutting Wick

In our medicine cabinet I found a 100% ribbed cotton pad so I cut off a rib to use for my wick. I poured a small amount of canola oil into a small Pyrex dish as my vessel. I tore off a small piece of aluminum foil and poked a hole in the middle. I dipped the wick into the canola oil then inserted it through the hole leaving about a quarter inch on top then placed the foil over the top of the oil. A soaked wick is slow to light but once lit displays a steady flame.

The foil provides a convenient barrier between the oil and flame while suspending the wick in the middle of the dish. An added bonus is that the crinkled foil texture reflects and enhances the light from the flame.

This simple design can provide hours of light when needed. Be sure to keep it away from combustibles and make sure that it is stable as the oil is a liquid and could spill.

]]> https://survivaltek.com/?feed=rss2&p=6972 0 Emergency Lighting https://survivaltek.com/?p=1451 https://survivaltek.com/?p=1451#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:23:58 +0000 https://survivaltek.com/?p=1451 When disaster strikes and the electrical grid goes down, how are you going to see in the dark? Without a backup generator It boils down to two ways: battery/dynamo powered lights – or – fuel based flames. An exception to these two catagories would be a cylume stick which is a safe, self contained, luminecent chemical reaction device. Now is the time to procure these items so that they are ready when needed. Batteries need to be high quality because you need reliability and longevity. I have several dynamo flashlights that can generate unlimited light on demand. Some of these devices also include a radio, enabling you to keep informed of local conditions. The weakness of dynamo systems are the vulnerability of the crank systems and possible limited charge held by the internal batteries. Flame based lights would include candles, oil lamps, and gas lights. Be sure to have adequate fuel on hand for several days of use. The main concern about fire based lighting is fire safety. Generally, manufactured lamps have built in safety features whereas improvised lamps and candles can tip or spill. When improvising oil lights, vegetable oils burn the cleanest whereas petroleum fuels tend to be smokey. Alcohol fuel can give heat but gives next to no light. It’s good practice to place improvised flame lamps in a dish or bowl that can capture spills while at the same time providing a handle for transport. Be careful of the heat that is generated which could possibly burn both surfaces below, items above, and your hands when handling. Check out my Slush Lamp Basics for lamp improvisation.

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