Olive oil is a very useful product in the kitchen, but you can also use it as a fuel source. In ancient times, certain grades and varieties of olive oil were used to light up rooms and houses. If you want to go green and use an alternative fuel as a light source, here’s how you can make an olive oil lamp. (Want to know other uses for olive oil, read 13 practical uses for olive oil)
Why Use Olive Oil?
olive oil lampsFor thousands of years, people have used olive oil as a way to flavor food, but also as a source of light and heat. Among Jews, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Muslims, olive oil is considered sacred. It is used in many religious rituals and ceremonies as a fuel for lights, lamps, and lanterns. Olive oil has a very high flash point (190 degrees Celsius for virgin oil, and 210 degrees Celsius for refined oil), which means it does not burn as easily as other vegetable-based oils. Olive oil is also odorless when burned, although you can add other aromatics like herbs to give the burning oil a pleasant scent.
While olive oil used for cooking may be used for lamps, certain grades of oil may be used for lighting purposes:
Lampanate oils are a grade of olive oil used exclusively for burning. Lampanate oils are not fit for cooking or human consumption.
Aged oils. Old batches of olive oil can be used for some recipes in the kitchen, but they’re a cheaper source of fuel for oil lamps than extra virgin olive oil. Aged oils also have a higher smoke point.
Rancid oils. Instead of throwing away rancid batches of olive oil, you can still use it as a fuel for olive oil lamps. The fuel itself may smell bad, but the burning oil will not release any unpleasant smell.
Things You’ll Need
To make an olive oil lamp, you need the following tools and materials:
Glass jar
Craft wire (the length must be at least twice the height of the jar)
Wick (you can buy wicks from an arts-and-crafts supply store, or you can make an improvised wick from scraps and strips of long-weave cotton cloth)
Long-nosed pliers
Olive oil
Steps
olive oil lampsTo make an olive oil lamp, follow these steps:
To make the wick holder, make a J-shape from the craft wire. Shape the wire so that you have a flat base for the wire to rest, a small hook at the end to hold the wick, and a larger hook at the other end to prop and secure it to the rim of the jar. The hook for the wick should be at least an inch high from the bottom of the jar.
Thread one end of a wick or other wicking material into the coil. At least a quarter inch of the wick must be above the surface of the oil when you fill the jar. That way, you don’t risk burning the oil or smothering the flame.
Fill the jar with olive oil, making sure that you leave enough room for the exposed quarter inch of the wick.
Allow the wick to absorb as much of the oil as it can before lighting it.
If you want a scented olive oil lamp, try adding some aromatic flowers and herbs to the oil. Remember that once you have used a batch of olive oil for lighting or fuel, you shouldn’t use the same batch for cooking or flavoring your food.