Introduction
SHTF preparedness candle making is a technique designed for those who are looking to be more prepared for an unexpected disaster. The candles are made up of an all-natural wax, such as soy or beeswax, that can be used in place of traditional fuels such as electricity or gas. These candles can provide light and even a little extra heat in case of emergency power outages. SHTF stands for “Sh*t Hits the Fan” which was originally a military term used to describe any type of serious event that could put troops at great risk.
The history of SHTF preparedness candle making dates back centuries ago when people like Blacksmiths would use fat dripping from the tallow vats on their forge fires to create long burning candles. Later, tallow candles were upgraded by substituting it with either beeswax or another type of wax like paraffin wax. As time went on, people began to recognize the benefit of having an alternative light source during times where electricity and gas may not be available due to natural disasters. This has led to the rise in popularity over the past decade of SHTF preparedness candle making among preppers and anyone who wants to ensure they have plenty of lighting options during any kind of emergency situation.
Benefits of SHTF Preparedness Candle Making
Candle making can be a great way to prepare for a potential SHTF scenario. Besides offering an effective source of light and heat should the power go out, candles also provide other important benefits when it comes to emergency preparedness.
One advantage of candle making is that it can help to save money on your monthly power bill. Candles generate light and heat, but require no electricity or fuel. This means that you could skip paying an electric or heating bill if all you need is enough candles scattered around the room to brighten the darkness and warm up the air. Not only will this result in lower energy costs for you, you’ll also have extra funds that could be used to buy supplies related to prepping, like non-perishable food items or emergency tools.
Candles are also highly portable, making them ideal for storing in emergency kits, vehicles, bug-out bags and more. If a situation ever arose where you had to evacuate your home quickly, having a reliable source of light and heat ready-to-go within reach would be essential for survival. Also, if SHTF occurs while you’re away from home (like at work or school), then having a few stuffed in your bag or even carried with you can prove life-saving in some cases if electricity services are interrupted due to natural disasters or attack.
In addition to these practical benefits, candle making can also provide a nice therapeutic outlet during SHTF situations that often bring with them high levels of stress and uncertainty. Crafting candles by hand allows one to relax their mind while focusing on the present moment – something that can become increasingly difficult while stressing over possible future scenarios.
Different Candle Scent Options and Their Benefits
Candle making can be an excellent way to incorporate SHTF preparedness into your prepping efforts. Not only firefighters, survivalists, and DIYers alike benefit from this craft in the event of a power outage or any other emergency situation. There are several different types of candles that can be made with different types of scent options as well.
Soy Wax Candles: These candles create a beautiful ambiance with minimal smoke and soot and come in many scents, including lavender which features antiseptic properties that can benefit the air quality. Beeswax Candles: Beeswax candles have natural properties that can help naturally “purify” the air by putting negative ions back out into the atmosphere, like respiration does for plants and trees. In addition to helping solidify scents, beeswax also assist in wicking away germ-infested moisture and reduce allergens in the home.
Palm Wax Candles: These durable candles typically work best when blended with other waxes like soy wax since it is more difficult to source ingredients than soy or beeswax. Palm wax candles come in various scents, including vanilla and cinnamon, which each provide slightly different air-cleansing benefits. Vanilla has known anti-bacterial benefits while cinnamon contains anti-microbial agents aiding the candle’s natural purifying properties within a room or home.
Gel Wax Candles: Unlike traditional waxes such as soy or beeswax, gel waxes must contain mineral oil (generally petroleum based) as part of their composition which serves to bind the ingredients together allowing a superior strength without shattering easily like glass-encased candles do. Gel wax comes in many scents as well but generally does not offer additional air cleaning benefits; these fragrances tend to specify it for aesthetic appeal rather than their cleansing capabilities.
Different Wicks and Their Optimal Uses
Candle making is an essential part of SHTF preparedness. It can provide a versatile, low cost and reliable form of lighting for any survival situation. Having the right kind of wick is essential for achieving maximum burn time, desirable fragrancing, and good wax adhesion.
There are many different types of wicks available on the market, each with its own optimal uses. Flat braided wicks are well suited for soy candles due their increased absorbency, while zinc core wicks have greater durability when burning paraffin wax that softens at higher temperatures. Cotton core wicks offer a good combination of high quality fragrance performance and good Self-Trimming ability to ensure there aren’t a lot of residual wax or charred ends left over after burning. Metal core wicks work best in beeswax candles since they require more heat during operation than cotton core wicks”which increase flame size but also require additional support to avoid becoming too hot while in use. Hemp core wicks are perfect if you want even burning without much smoke; though because they’re slow burning you won’t get the longer times or larger flame associated with soy wax based candles using flat braided cotton core wick options either. Whatever type you choose, be sure to purchase pre-tabbed candle versions actually suitable for your desired wax as these will have been tested for optimal performance prior to sale.
Safety Considerations When Making Candles
When making candles there are a few safety considerations one needs to look out for. Make sure to work in an area with both good ventilation and plenty of heat, as boiling hot wax can cause serious burns if not handled properly. Wear protective clothing to prevent the wax from getting on your skin or clothing. Additionally, it is important to keep pets and small children away from any open flame or wax during the candle creation process. Finally, be sure to have a suitable fire extinguisher in case of an emergency when working with melted wax or burning candles. It is also recommended to draw up safety protocols for handling emergencies or sources of ignition in order to make sure that you are providing the best possible protection for yourself and those around you if unexpected issues arise.
Types of Waxes Used in Candle Making
When it comes to candle making, using the right type of wax is key. The two most common types of wax used in candle making are vegetable wax and paraffin wax. Vegetable wax is made from soybeans and other plant oils, such as palm oil, rice bran, and coconut. It is a renewable resource that is safe for the environment, non-toxic, and easy to work with when melting. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is derived from petroleum or coal and has a higher melting point than vegetable wax. While it does release toxins into the air during burning, paraffin candles can have better scent throw than their vegetable alternatives. Other specialty waxes used for candle making include beeswax, bayberry, soy blend (a mixture of soybean and paraffin), gel (mineral oil/plastic composites), container blend (soybean combined with either beeswax or paraffin), blobbed (beeswax combined with paraffin), and microwavable meltables. Each type of wax has its own advantages and disadvantages which should be taken into account when choosing a suitable option for SHTF preparedness candle making. Additionally, some waxes work better with certain types of wicks while others require specific additives in order to produce a smooth finish and optimal burn qualities.
How to Source Essential Supplies Needed for Candle Making
Sourcing supplies for candle making is simple, as most of the items can be found at craft stores or online. To begin with, you need to purchase wax. Paraffin wax is a great option for beginners, but beeswax and soy blends are also available. You’ll also need wicks that correspond to your chosen wax. Natural fiber wicks are preferred by many candle makers and come in various lengths and widths. A good pair of scissors is also essential for cutting wicks to size or trimming wick tabs. A melter pot such as a double boiler will be needed to melt the wax while preserving its appearance and scent. There are different sizes of melter pots depending on the amount of candles you wish to make at one time so choose accordingly. For adding color and scent, dyes suitable for candle making should be purchased along with essential oils, fragrance oils or natural products like herbs and spices can be employed too if desired. Lastly don’t forget some form of container or mould to pour the molten wax into allowing it to cool so your finished candles take shape!
Detailed Steps Involved in Making SHTF Preparedness Candles
1. Collect all materials: The first step in making SHTF preparedness candles is to collect all the necessary materials including wax (such as beeswax, soy wax, paraffin wax), wick material, double-boiler for melting the wax, wax thermometer, moulds and containers. Make sure to use a non-flammable surface to work on when making your candles.
2. Melt and Temper the Wax: Place a small amount of wax in the double boiler, heating it up until it melts at around 160°F for soy or beeswax and 200°F for paraffin. Use the thermometer regularly to ensure that the temperature does not exceed these temperatures. A higher temperature will cause bubbles in your candle and may effect its burning performance later on.
3. Add any fragrances/colors/herbs: If you wish to add any fragrances, colors or herbs to your candle then this should be done while the wax is still tempering in the double-boiler. When adding any essential oils make sure that they are added slowly as they flammable!
4. Setting Wicks: Once you have melted and tempered your desired wax take it off heat and allow it cool down a few degrees before pouring into molds or containers. Next place your wick in the center of each mold before adding any more of your liquid wax ” make sure that you are preparing wicks of appropriate length for each respective container as this will effect how well your candles burn later on!
5 . Pouring Molds/Containers: Now that all items are set you can begin pouring your liquid melted wax into molds or containers of choice ” if wanting an alternate finish try dipping instead for the desired results! Make sure that no air bubbles appear during pouring which can be avoided by initially running a hot needle over each respective mold prior.
6 . Finishing Touch & Clean Up : After allowing several hours (ideally overnight) leave out to dry before carefully popping out each candle with care – using gloves is preferred during this process if possible! Preceding onto cleanup s tage , fill up sink with hot soapy water and pour extra remaining molten wax away along with collecting used wicks etc…
Conclusion
Making your own candles is a great way to increase your SHTF preparedness. Not only can you create emergency light sources for those power outages, but you can also make decorative candles that you can use for practical or decorative purposes. With such versatility, the advantages of making your own candles are vast – from customizing their colors and scents to making sure that you don’t run out of candles during a long-term emergency. Furthermore, creating homemade candles has a low start-up cost and with the right guidelines and several practices, anyone could get started with candle-making in no time. Therefore, if you have ever wanted to learn how to make your own SHTF preparedness candles, now is the time!
Related Resources and Recommended Books on Candle Making
SHTF preparedness candle making is a great way to create your own candles at home in case of emergency or during challenging times. Making candles at home can help you save money and provide an additional light source when the power goes out. It’s also a creative, enjoyable hobby that helps you get into the spirit of preparedness.
To successfully make your own candles, there are some important materials and tools you should be aware of. Examples include wax flakes, wicks, molds or containers to hold the melted wax and pour it into, thermometers to keep an eye on temperature as well as colorants and other fragrances if desired. To make sure you have everything covered, there are several books on candle making for beginners to refer to for detailed instructions.
For further information about SHTF preparedness candle making, Wikipedia provides a helpful overview on traditional methods such as molten wax and dipping candles in the hot wax multiple times. In addition to this, dedicated websites like Basic Candle Making or Publications such as Candle Making: Understanding the Basics by Bob Sherman exist that may provide useful insights into the world of candle making. As far as supplies go, these can be found either online or at designated candle making stores with many offering kits containing everything needed for successful projects. Finally some additional recommended books focusing on the art of candle making include “The Beginner’s Guide to Candle Making” by Candace Crenshaw; “Creative Candle Making” by Norma Coney; and “Candle Making For Fun & Profit” by Peter Hopkinson.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
