Have you ever found yourself in an emergency where you have to boil water to make it fit for use? You may have to improvise. But let’s assume the only heat source you have is a bunch of candles. How can you boil water with candles? It feels awkward, but the only way you can boil water.
Nobody would wish to be in such a situation. But these things can happen. You just have to become super creative and find the means to boil water.
Now, here’s the question. Can you boil water over a candle? If yes, how long will it take? And how can you boil water over a candle?
We’ll discuss the questions we just highlighted now and go into more detail about boiling water over a candle. So, keep consuming this content to get more details on this topic.
Can You Use a Candle To Boil Water?
Yes, you can. And that’s the straightforward answer. But please keep this in mind. Using a candle to boil water isn’t a pleasant activity. It’s time-consuming and frustrating.
You’ll spend more time using a single candle to boil water than when you have two or more candles. The flame size and other factors count too. But the more candles you have, the better and quicker you can get your water to reach boiling point.
Only consider trying to boil water over a candle when you are experimenting or probably have no other option.
What You Will Need To Boil Water With a Candle?
You need several items to make your attempt to boil water with a candle successful. So, what are the things you need to boil water over a candle?
Check out the items:
1. Water
You can use any type of water, even cold water. But remember that water at room temperature would get hot quicker than cold or frozen water.
2. Candles
Are you using scented or unscented candles? Using scented candles will give the room a nice fragrance, but that isn’t the aim. Instead, the aim is to get the water to the boiling point. And remember that the aroma of scented candles can find its way into your water.
Candles in glass or metal containers would make sense. The container would keep the wax from burning down too quickly and would help concentrate the flame on the pot or kettle.
Another thing you need to consider when choosing candles to use is the wick. Candles with multiple wicks will heat the water faster than candles with a single wick.
3. Burner
Your candles’ flames shouldn’t be too far away from the pot. Otherwise, it would take a longer time for your water to boil.
You’ll need a metal burner or probably a grate to use as a platform to sustain the pot atop the burning candle. But ensure the burner isn’t too high. It also shouldn’t be too close. Just let the candle flames touch the pot’s bottom, and that’s it.
4. Firestarter
The work of the fire starter is to light the candle. And we advise you to keep diverse fire starters on hand. Why? The weather could make it challenging to use a specific fire starter.
For example, you may find lighting a candle with matches challenging in a windy environment. Again, rain may also damage your matches, making lighter the best option.
So, lighters and matches are essential items you need in this experiment or emergency, as the case may be.
5. A pot
The pot bottom’s thickness matters a great deal. You need a pot with thin bottom to make it easier for the heat to penetrate and raise the temperature of the water faster.
Additionally, choose pots with lids. And make sure you cover the water throughout the process.
Finally, on the pot issue, consider the number of candles to the pot’s size. The larger the pot or container you’re using, the longer you have to wait for the water to boil.
6. Extra candle wax and wick
You can’t ascertain the number of candles you need to boil a certain volume of water. But keep in mind that a cup of water would reach boiling point faster than two or more when the candle is the heat source.
Additionally, you must understand that some candles would melt before the water starts boiling. And when this happens, the temperature of the water could drop massively.
So, always keep extra candles and waxes around when using candles to boil water. You may need to replace the candles now and then.
7. Extra fuel source
Don’t rely on candles alone if you want the water to boil faster. Instead, put the dripped wax, and shredded materials you can find in a metal can and light them up.
Now, you have all you need to boil water over a candle, but here’s the thing.
Boiling water using a candle can be a tough task. But then, boiling water this way is a skill that could become highly valuable when you find yourself in an emergency.
In addition to the items listed, you’ll also require some patience to boil water with a candle. This is because the candle generates low heat, so it would take a considerable amount of time to heat the water to boiling point.
Again, it doesn’t matter the number of candles you use. Use other heat sources if you have the means instead of relying on candles alone to boil water.
But if the candle is your only means to boil water, you’re welcome to use it.
How To Boil Water With a Candle?
The first step is to get all the necessary items to make boiling water with a candle successful.
Remember, you would need a burner to raise the pot above the candle but not far away from the candle. Likewise, the flame shouldn’t be far away from the bottom of the pot or kettle containing the water.
Now, remember to use a thin bottom pot to enable the water to boil quickly. And remember to cover the lid when boiling the water.
The entire process is simple. Light the candles and the burner over them. Fill the pot or kettle with water and place it on the burner.
How Long Does It Take To Boil Water With a Candle?
Several factors determine how long it would take to boil water using a candle. Let’s discuss each of these factors.
1. Flame size
Note that a candle can generate 75 to 85 BTUs. BTU is used to gauge the heat candles and other heat sources can generate.
However, candles with larger flames will generate higher BTUs and would cause your water to boil faster.
So, if you want your water to boil faster, choose candles with larger flames. Examples of such candles include tandem tea lights and tri-wick candles.
2. Weather condition
What’s the room’s ambient temperature? If it so happens that the weather is cold, it would take a longer time to heat the water to boiling point.
3. The water temperature
Warmer water would take less time to boil, regardless of the heat source.
4. How far the pot and flames are apart
If you want the water to boil fast, the flames should be near the bottom of the pot.
5. Added heat source
If you’re using dripped wax and shredded materials as added fuel sources to support the candles, your water might reach boiling point quicker.
Does Adding Salt Make Water Boil Faster?
There’s a myth that adding salt to water can cause it to boil faster. Well, chemically speaking, there’s some truth in this. Adding salt to water can raise its boiling point.
Unfortunately, the amount of salt we use in cooking is too small to make any noticeable difference in timing when boiling water. Foods cooked with too much salt pose a serious health risk for the eater.
What is The Fastest Way To Boil Water?
The fastest way to boil water is to use hot water from the tap. Hot water usually boils much faster than lukewarm or even cold water.
So, if you want water to boil faster, fetch hot water from the tap.
Why is It Better To Use Cold Water To Boil?
Hot water would certainly boil faster than cold water. But if you value the good health you have been enjoying, consider using cold water.
Why? There is a huge chance of mineral deposits in hot water. It might have happened as the hot water flows through the tap.
Hot water may have mineral deposits. Don’t forget that the water heater is made of metal.
If the hot water doesn’t pick up minerals when flowing out of the water heater, it could pick up the heater’s metallic flavor and change your water or food’s taste.
So, use cold water for boiling. It’s the best health-wise and flavor-wise.
Conclusion: Can you boil water over a candle?
Yes, you can. But the fact that you can use candles doesn’t make it the best option. Using candles to boil water can be time-consuming and stressful.
Remember to also cover the lid when heating the water to prevent heat loss that can increase the heating time.
You need to get the needed items to make boiling water with candles successful. Items you require are candles, fire starter, burner, and some extra fuel materials.
