How to Make an Oil Lamp
An oil lamp is basically a candle without the wax. There is still a wick and the flame is still hot.
Steps
- Find a piece of cork. One from a wine bottle works perfectly or you can buy a sheet of it from a craft store.
corks - Cut the cork so it’s flat on the bottom. (A wine bottle cork would be cut lengthwise in half, for instance, maybe even cut it twice so that you have a 1/4″ slice)
- Use a needle or a straight pin to poke a hole through the cork. You might want to do this before cutting it, in the case of the wine bottle cork, because it is stronger before it is cut. You can also use the hole made by the corkscrew, possibly expanding it a bit.
- Thread a cotton string through so it looks like a candle wick. Coat with some wax for it to stick up.
- Fill a glass or bowl 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the way with water.
- Very slowly pour some cooking oil over the water to make a layer of oil.
- Place the cork on the oil.
- Wait 15 minutes for the wick to absorb the oil before lighting.
Tips
- For a cool effect, put food coloring in the water.
- Braid the string for a cool look.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when lighting… just in case.
Warnings
- Be careful when lighting!!
