Save money and be prepared by having these 50 Hour Soy Survival Candles on hand. I have seen stores charge a lot of money for survival long-burning candles, but you can make your own for less than $2.00 per jar and it is so easy to do!
I swear I am reaping so many benefits from doing this Happy Homesteading series of posts, as I get to learn these new skills and find out to to survive on my own a little bit more. Plus doing these projects are so much FUN!
All you need are some half pint glass canning jars, a 5 lb. bag of soy wax, some wicks, aluminum foil and a #10 can.
WAX: I found that the most cost effective price for soy wax was on amazon : The Milliard Wax 5 lb. bag is $12.99 plus free shipping if you have amazon prime. I checked my local craft stores and unless you have a coupon this is still a better deal. I used soy wax because it is all natural, renewable, non toxic, burns clean, helps support the American farmer and has a longer burn time than many other types of paraffin waxes.
WICKS: I ordered these Candlescience 6 inch Soy wax coated candle wicks for $8.99 (50 pack). I think you might be able to also find a smaller pack of 6 inch wicks at your local craft stores for less, but since I get free shipping with Amazon prime, I love ordering my items online, saving a trip.
GLASS JARS: The 5 lbs of soy wax will fill 13 half-pint sized glass canning jars. You can buy these half-pint jars online at Amazon, or at your local Walmart/Target store for around $8-$12 a case. Also keep your eyes out on craigslist or yard sales for canning jars. Luckily I had a box of unused jars sitting in my garage from a time when I was going to make some jam and didn’t (ahem.)
#10 CAN: You can use a double boiler pan if you like, but for ease in cleaning I wanted to use an old #10 can to melt my wax in. I can throw the can away or reuse it again the next time I make candles. If you do use a #10 can, make sure and bend one of the edges so it will be easier to pour the hot wax in the jars.
How To Make 50 Hour Soy Survival Candles
Start a double boiling system by bringing a larger pot of water to boil. Only fill it half-way so when you add your can of wax the water won’t overflow. I filled my number ten can with 2.5 lbs of soy wax flakes.
While the water was heating up, add the wicks to each of your jars. Tip: if you have a hot glue gun add a drop of hot glue on the bottom of the metal part of the wick and stick it straight in the center of the jar. It helps the wick to hold up straighter after you pour the wax.
Once the wax is melted, using hot pads I poured the wax into the jars with wicks.
To help hold your wicks straight while it cools poke hole in a little square of aluminum foil, thread the wick through and seal around the jar.
I then melted the other half of the soy wax flakes and poured them into jars as well.
After they all cool, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch. I just set the scissors across the jar so all the wicks would be the same size after being cut.
Then enjoy your 50 Hour Soy Survival Candles! Just put the lids on them (adding in a pack of matches) and pack them away until your next power outage or disaster. Then you will have heat as well as light for up to 50 hours each candle.
Note: I did add some essential oils to one of the candles and it smelled lovely. I was thinking that if there was a power outage or disaster it would be better to have non-scented candles so it wouldn’t give me a headache, so keep that in mind. And only use products that are safe to use with melted oil so you don’t get exploding wax or something.
WORTH THE COST? YES – can cost as low as $1.18 per candle, which is an amazing price for Soy candles with a 50 hour burn time.
WORTH THE TIME? Yes, for the amount of money you can save, and how quick and easy it was this is very worth the time.
Price breakdown:
- I paid $12.99 for the 5 lb. bag of Soy wax
- I paid $8.99 for 50 soy wicks ($0.18 each wick = $2.34 for 13 wicks used)
- I had the jars sitting in my garage. If you didn’t you would pay $8-$10 at Walmart or online.
- Note: I was able to fill 13 jars with the 5 lb.s of wax
Final cost for me was $1.18 each candle, but if you needed to purchase the jars it would run you $1.79-$2.00 per jar.
How To Make 50 Hour Soy Survival Candles
Instructions
- Start a double boiling system by bringing a larger pot of water to boil. Only fill it half-way so when you add your can of wax the water won't overflow. I filled my number ten can with 2.5 lbs of soy wax flakes at a time and did this twice.
- While the water was heating up, add the wicks to each of your jars. Tip: if you have a hot glue gun add a drop of hot glue on the bottom of the metal part of the wick and stick it straight in the center of the jar. It helps the wick to hold up straighter after you pour the wax.
- Once the wax is melted, using hot pads I poured the wax into the jars with wicks.To help hold your wicks straight while it cools poke hole in a little square of aluminum foil, thread the wick through and seal around the jar.
- I then melted the other half of the soy wax flakes and poured them into jars as well.
- After they all cool, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch. I just set the scissors across the jar so all the wicks would be the same size after being cut.
Notes
Have you ever made your own homemade candles? Any other tips or tricks you have found to save even more money?
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
DJZMAN says
it says 50 hours, is that each or the hole batch burning them 1 at a time?
Happy.MoneySaver says
Each candle burns about 50 hours!
Buffy says
I had a zillion jars around here because my county does NOT recycle them, so they end up in the landfill if you throw them out! I know, not too smart on their part in my opinion!!! So a lot of my jars are being used for candles now.
Anyway, these could make wonderful gifts or add one to a basket for a house warming gift too. Nothing like sharing items that are perfect for an emergency 🙂
Thank You Karrie for all the great directions!! Our power goes out too often and we will use these for sure!
Buffy
Cathleen Bowne says
If you add grapefruit oil and vanilla you will get a candle that will get rid of all sorts of nasty smells in your house from animal to cigarette to BO (when electricity is out you don’t get to bathe as often because of lack of hot water) I know from experience after weeks of no electricity after Hurricane Wilma. You will thank me for this tip.
Kari says
We made the 50 hour soy candles at our senior center here in Greensburg, Kansas. They were awesome, and east thanks to your instructions, and the comments were helpful as well. Thanks a bunch!!
Happy.MoneySaver says
So glad they worked out!
Kelle Miller says
I just made my first one (well a half of one for a starter!) But I ordered all of my stuff off of Bulkapothecary.com. For this first one I used rose petals from my garden, and essential pure rose oil. My kitchen smells so good!! Thank you so much for posting all about this!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Yum! I bet it does smell good! 🙂
Gale says
Kelle,
How did you use the rose petals? I’d love to try this!
Allie says
I was ordering supplies for the emergency candle making project and noticed that there are three different sizes for the wicks, all 6″ in length….small, medium and large. Which ones did you use?
Jennifer says
Hey, I use to work at a store that poured candles. A quick tip: use rods or rod like objects like pencils or pens to wrap your wick around on top of the poured candle to stable the wick. It will save you the aluminum foil. 🙂
Nora says
Question: What makes a candle “long-burning”? I’ve purchase or made many candles over the years. Some burn very quickly while others, of the same size, seems to last forever. Is it an issue of the wax density? If so, how does one make that determination?
Courtney says
Hi… HELP PLEASE! I’m considering making my own soy candles and am wondering how I infuse my own ingredients? For instance if I wanted to make apple and mint how do I go about doing this? I know he answer is probably very simple but water and oil don’t mix and I wonder how you get the scent into the wax! TIA 🙂
Happy.MoneySaver says
I used essential oils to add a scent into some of my soy candles. I would suggest picking an oil or mixing a couple flavors and then adding it in! If you need help buying them here is a link to get you started!
https://happymoneysaver.com/purchase-doterra-essential-oils/
suzy b says
What size wick did you use? I’m hoping to buy a spool and tabs so that I can adjust the length for whatever size container I am using at the time.
L.h says
I made these tonight! So easy and inexpensive. Will be great Christmas gifts!
Michele Service says
I keep all of my candle leftovers, too. Good idea to use old coffee mugs! Thanks.
Damon says
Awesome…my first time making survival candle and it work…now i will make more…
Danielle says
Is there anything that you can add to it for color I am thinking of making these for my wedding for in the centerpieces and I was wanting to make them pink
Angel Haight says
how do you print the instructions
Joseph Jeffcoat says
Let me caution you of one important thing not mentioned: Soy wax has a low flash point. Get a cheap candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Try to keep the wax to 170 degrees. If it goes over 200 it can flash over and self ignite. Pour the candles at 150 degrees.
Now a bit of advice: instead of using tin foil to center and hold the wicks use a spring style clothes pin. Thread the wick through the center spring hole and allow the wood to firmly contact the jar lid. Then pull taught on the wick and clip it into the jaws. You can then see if it is centered. Make your adjustments while it is still liquid. If you move the wick around as it is solidifying you will create a tunnel and the candle will not burn right.
Then in about 8-10 hours you can cut the wick. Then you just pull out the wick from the clothes pin.
Caution: do not fill it to the rim. If you do so the wax will melt and pour out of the container.
I make natural soy candles for a living. If you have any questions please ask. I will be glad to help you.
Michele Service says
Great info–thanks!
Joy Boyett says
Hi, another poster commented about “better have insurance if you plan on selling these in case someone’s house burns down”. I, too have thought of making and selling these as a small way to increase income for things like Christmas, etc. Was wondering if you bought insurance to protect yourself, or is it really necessary? I plan to see an attorney just to be safe, but thought I’d get your input as well. Thank you.
Laurene says
We have a glassware outlet here . They sell discontinued candle jars with lids for .99 each . Another thought , is the soy wax non gmo? I have also heard if using non gmo palm oil to make candles .
Sue says
I wouldn’t use glass at all – just reuse tin cans. If they drop, no shatter, no cleanup – pick ’em up off the floor and resume life. I wouldn’t leave the candles in the garage as they’ll melt in the summer heat. Another thought – why not use old olive, chicken fat, or beef tallow instead of buying soy?
Linda Bacon says
I didn’t scroll through every comment, but wondering if only soy wax would offer the 50 hour candle time? I’ve heard not so good thing about soy candles and wanted to ask. Thanks!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Luckily, I haven’t had an emergency where I have needed to use them the whole 50 hours yet! But from how I have used them and how long they have burned I would imagine that they would go the distance! 🙂
Dee says
I see there is also Millard scented soy wax on Amazon and the reviews are good for it also. Same price as the unscented. Has anyone tried it? I am thinking of making some just for daily use so a little scent would be nice. I understand why you’d want unscented if burning continuously.