There will come a time when the power grid will fail and you’ll have to rely on your prepper knowledge to pierce the darkness using your…artificial lighting device.
For those moments when the SHTF, you’ll be pushed to resort to other means of illumination.
One such mean is the oil lamp – a device largely unknown to people today, but with a widespread use in ancient times.
This practical instrument can benefit a prepper a lot when the time comes.
Therefore, mastering the manufacturing process of the oil lamp will give you a leg up once the world sinks into darkness.
The most common form of illumination that comes to mind when there’s no power is the candle.
It burns for 7-8 hours on average. The oil lamp, on the other hand, can provide light for 20 hours.
If you’re lacking time or don’t enjoy DIY’s so much, you can always acquire a hurricane oil lamp online and add it to your bug out spot’s essentials.
If you’re set to save some money, you can assemble one yourself. The process is fairly easy and you’ll have an extra $50 in your pocket.
But the most important part – you’ll know how to make one when SHTF.
Here’s what you need
- One piece of wire
- Olive oil
- One jar and lid
- One braided wick (get thicker wick for brighter light)
- Needle nose pliars
Here’s how it’s done
- Cut off a 15-inch wire piece using the pliers. This will serve as the wick holder.
- Wrap the wire around the nose of the pliers 4 to 6 times. Roll it as tight as possible.
- Coil the other end of the wire so that it forms a circle wide enough to fit through the bottom of the jar.
- Wrap this circle several times with the wire to make a sturdy foundation for your wick.
- Use the tweezers to pull the wick through the end wrapped around the pliers. Pull until the top.
- Put the wick in the holder in the jar.
- Pour olive oil until there’s one inch to the top of the wick left.
- Wait for the wick to completely absorb the oil and then light it up.
You’ll find a more detailed tutorial of how to do it by following this link.
Safety measures
Since you’re using flammable materials, safety should be your top priority.
To put off the oil lamp simply cut the oxygen by applying the lid on top.
The flame is not enough to heat up the jar and the oil from within.
However, to avoid any trouble, keep your lamp on a nonflammable surface as an extra safety measure.
That’s about it for the oil lamp DIY. Don’t forget that it can be useful in a variety of situations, not only during extreme SHTF scenarios.
Use it with care! And may it pierce the thickest darkness for you in case the need ever arises.
