Monday, June 24, 2013

Crayons As Makeshift Candles

"In an emergency, a crayon will burn for 30 minutes." 


Ok. I'm trying to get through this post without laughing. For some reason this image alone makes me laugh every single time I look at it. I also thought I would try something different and do a video post for this bad idea. Because honestly, this is a REALLY bad idea. 


UPDATE 1.24.15
We're working on a new format for the blog and are currently having problems getting the video to play properly on mobile devices.
Here is a direct link.


So lets get down to why you shouldn't do this. On youtube I found just a few videos of people attempting this. As I showed in the video, I did one crayon with your basic lighter, and another with my work torch. I actually seemed to have had better luck with my lighter than I had previously seen on other youtube videos, but the torch, due to its higher temperature and more focused flame, got the job done quicker. My theory on why this works is that it's like a reversed candle - the paper on the outside of the crayon acts as a wick, and the melting wax inside the crayon helps coat and protect the paper from just going straight up into flames. 

But they don't burn for 30 minutes. Maybe 10-15 if you're lucky. In my video I show how at the 5 minute mark it's already halfway burned though. Also, the image above has it sitting on someone's carpet. Which is just remarkable as far as "really bad ideas" go -- not only are you faced with dripping wax on your carpet, most carpets are made with synthetic fibers and when they catch fire, it's not good. The wax itself is just a simple paraffin wax, which is commonly used in candles and even foods, but this experiment caused a lot of smoke to form, leaving my studio smelling my melted crayons for quite some time. 

All in all, this is just not a good idea. The crayon itself isn't stable, making it very prone to tipping or falling over, it doesn't last long, and it puts off a lot of smoke. I can't think how this would ever be a good idea. In a pinch you're better off even making a homemade oil burning lamp with olive oil than you would this. But the majority of people generally keep candles, lanterns, and flashlights on hand in case of power outage. 


27 comments:

  1. Anonymous24/6/13

    I have seen this on Pinterest, too, and though it was a bad idea on carpet. Upon further examination, I THINK this crayon in the picture is on tile, not carpet. I still wouldn't light my crayons on fire, especially with nothing to stabilize the crayon with.
    Thanks for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree that it's not on carpet. It looks like a patterned formica countertop to me.

      Delete
  2. Now I'm going to need you to test the vegetable oil / candle / lantern theory floating around Pinterest!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I saw this on Pinterest the other day and was thinking it would be a good post for your blog LOL

    ReplyDelete
  4. To make it stable, melt a flat end and makr ot stand. As soon as it cools down it wont tip over

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, you should use a BBQ lighter, then melt the pointy end of the crayon's wax onto a plate or something, let it dry for two seconds, then stick the flat end into the wax and cool. This creates a stable surface and the melted wax exposes the paper for you. The BBQ lighter is recommended since a regular cigarette lighter can burn or hurt your hands.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The problem is even with having it set in a steady base, it really only lights for about 5 minutes, and the smoke it puts off is far more than that of a candle. Other than using a crayon to help get a fire going, I can't see these being practical makeshift candles.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Zandra30/12/13

    I did this with my menorah and a BBQ lighter on our fireplace... they burned well and looked great, but the smell was awful when we put them out.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous19/1/14

    The photo looks to be taken on tile. Also, one of the original key points is: to be used in an emergency. In such a situation, practicality trumps peripherals. 5-10 minutes of light suits it's intended purpose. You needed light. You got some. If you have children, whom usually have tons of crayons laying around, you've got a good supply of short term light, helping save on batteries or longer burning candles, as you never known how long you'd be without electricity. In emergency/survival mode, this is viable supplemental lighting. I am unclear as to why this is laughable?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous3/2/14

    Carpet or tile the wax is still going to drip down the side of the crayon onto the floor. And these are ridiculous makeshift candles because the wax was not intended to be burnt as a candle and the fumes can be an irritant to adults let alone children..so if you have the crayons because of children (and you probably do!) I would advise you to have a flashlight or any candle in case of emergencies...youre not saving much money doing this because the crayon would only last about 5 minutes and its not like you cant just blow out a candle and relight it next time you need it if the lights come back on before your candle goes out. I understand this is for "emergencies" but even a birthday candle (which is something else you're as likely to have kicking around the house if you have children) is a much better quick fix because at least you dont have to worry about opening all the windows to try to ventilate the house while you burn the crayon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can the fumes and smoke be harmful?

      Delete
  10. Anonymous7/2/14

    If you're prepared enough to have crayons, you're prepared enough to have candles. What most people these days don't have is matches, because fewer people than ever smoke.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous1/5/14

    it works ive tried it. 30 minutes tops...

    ReplyDelete
  12. So far so good. I'm 10 minutes into this...half a crayon left. No odor or smoke. Also I am using a white crayon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It burned exactly 15 minutes. I will say the flame was much larger than that of any candle and actually put off a decent amount of heat. If in an emergency situation....no candles...no flash light, I would definitely use this. Honestly it burned closer to the consistency of a torch imo. I heated the bottom of the candle prior to lighting it, to stabilize it to the plate I was using. Overall I was still pretty impressed

      Delete
    2. I was thinking it could be used in an extreme emergency as a dual heat/light source. It's still going to create fumes that aren't great, though.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous4/11/14

    Response from Crayola

    Crayola LLC commented on a YouTube video attempting to demonstrate this claim.

    At Crayola, we love creativity & are usually excited to hear of novel ways to use our products. However, burning them is not quite what we had in mind. We value safety even more than creativity & strongly discourage the use of crayons this way. They are not designed or tested for this and could create risks different from ordinary candles. We would very much appreciate that you not associate the Crayola name w/ your suggested use. This use is something we certainly do not condone or endorse.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am concerned this is a very dangerous way to light up your home in an power outage. First of all a small crayon will not burn up to 30 minutes but what is of more concern is the crayon itself. Crayola Crayons may be safe to burn -not on the floor or carpet - but I would not trust a crayon made in China because their ingredients may be highly flammable. A box of crayons is about the same price as a small flashlight. Be safe and opt for that flashlight. Leave the crayons for coloring until the lights come back on! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous24/1/15

    Please check out the following Chemistry/Education site.
    http://chemistry.about.com/od/funfireprojects/a/How-To-Use-A-Crayon-As-A-Candle.htm

    It has crayon burning not only as easy chemistry but also as an emergency candle.It is written by an expert in the field who holds a PhD, which is much more than I hold!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous6/2/15

    WOW does anyone even know what "emergency" means anymore?
    For the record wax is _not_ "in itself flamable". The paper is being used as the wick and you are suppose to break off the tip of the crayon to burn the paper.
    I had to stop playing the video because there was so much wrong with the explaination. Soooo much wrong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually I hate to say it, but you are greatly mistaken. wax IS flammable. Crayons are made of paraffin wax, which is rather notorious for catching flames. Want to try it at home? You can easily stick peeled, bare crayons in a metal container, place under the oven broiler on high, and watch it as it slowly melts, turns to liquid.. and if wait long enough catch flame. (I know because I've done it myself) Paraffin wax catches fire - all on it's own - when it reaches high enough temperature as the wax vaporizes, and the vapor catches fire. You do not need a wick or anything to cause wax to flame.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18/6/15

      You are wrong Cece, As you said the vapor catches fire, just as smoke will catch fire. But you need a wick for wax. Maybe your pot was burning actin as one.

      Delete
  17. When people do dumb thing I can see the meme going in the end.
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