Jessie Taylor
Oranges are versatile fruits that can be used for more than just eating. With a few simple tools, you can turn an orange into a candle that will fill your space with a citrusy scent and a warm, glowing light. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create your very own orange candle, which can be a fun project for both adults and children alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items required | An orange, a knife, a lighter or matches, and oil (vegetable, olive, canola, etc.) |
| Cutting the orange | Cut around the circumference of the orange with a knife. Be careful not to tear the peel or pierce the fruit. |
| Separating the peel | Use your thumb (or a spoon) to carefully separate the peel from the fruit. |
| Preparing the wick | Ensure the pith (white fibres) is intact as it will serve as the wick. |
| Adding oil | Fill the orange peel with oil, ensuring the wick is soaked. |
| Lighting | Hold the flame to the wick for 15-30 seconds. |
| Burning time | Depending on size and oil quantity, it can burn for 2-3 hours. |
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What You'll Learn
Cut the orange in half
To turn an orange into a candle, the first step is to cut the orange in half. It is important to use a sharp knife for this process. Hold the orange at both ends and cut around its circumference with the knife. Make sure not to pierce the fruit, just the peel. Do not cut the orange in half directly through the middle. Instead, cut one side a bit more shallow than the other, as this will make the next steps easier.
The goal is to gently separate the peel from the fruit. To do this, start with the shallower side of the orange and use your thumb or a spoon to carefully release the peel from the fruit. Work your way around the orange, being careful not to tear the peel. You can also use your fingers to separate the fruit from the peel. The fruit should break away from the peel, exposing the stem.
Once the peel is separated from the interior, slowly pull the two halves of the orange apart. The only thing holding the peel on one half should now be the stem of the orange. Hold your thumb inside the peel as near to the base as possible and slowly pull the separated half of the peel away from the fruit.
Now that you have cut the orange in half and separated the peel, you can move on to the next steps of making your orange candle.
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Remove the fruit from the peel
To remove the fruit from the peel, start by cutting the orange in half. Make sure to leave the stem on the inside of the orange intact. Using a sharp paring knife, cut crosswise around the center of the orange to release the peel from the fruit. It is important to note that you are not actually piercing the fruit, just the peel.
A tip to make the process easier is to not cut exactly in the center. Making one side of the orange a bit more shallow will help with the next steps. With the shallower side of the orange, use your thumb (or a spoon) to carefully release the peel from the fruit by working your way around the orange. Press your thumb between the peel and the fruit and work it all the way around the orange so that one half of the peel is completely separated.
The only thing now holding the peel on that half should be the stem of the orange. Holding your thumb inside the peel as near the base as you can, slowly pull the separated half of the peel away from the fruit. Carefully separate the peel from the orange, being careful not to tear the peel or break the pith (the white fibers in the middle of the orange segments) as this will become the wick.
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Pour oil into the peel
Now that you have successfully separated the orange peel, it's time to pour oil into it. You can use any type of oil, such as vegetable, olive, or canola oil. Carefully pour the oil into the orange peel, filling it up to about halfway. Make sure to pour some oil over the wick (the white fibres in the middle of the orange segments) and let it soak. This is important because if the wick is not soaked in oil, it will not burn or stay lit. You want the oil to get as close to the top of the wick as possible.
When pouring the oil, be careful not to spill it outside the peel, as this could create a mess and affect the burning of the candle. If you want to be extra cautious, you can place the orange peel on a glass or ceramic plate before pouring in the oil, as this will catch any potential spills and also provide a stable base for your candle.
The amount of oil you use will depend on the size of your orange peel and how long you want your candle to burn. A larger amount of oil will result in a longer-lasting candle. As a reference, aim to fill the peel up to about halfway, and with this amount, your candle should burn for up to two to three hours.
While olive oil is a popular choice, some people prefer using vegetable oil, as it tends to burn better and creates a brighter flame. However, olive oil will also work, and you can even add a few whole cloves to the oil for a unique fragrance.
Once you have poured in the oil and ensured that the wick is soaked, you are almost ready to light your candle. But before you do, give the orange peel and wick a few minutes to absorb the oil. This step is crucial, as it will help your candle burn more effectively and for a longer duration.
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Light the wick
Now that you have your orange peel filled with oil and a wick ready to go, it's time to light it up!
Before you light the wick, ensure that the oil has had enough time to soak into the wick. This could take a few minutes. If you try to light the wick too soon, it might not stay lit.
When you're ready to light the candle, use a long-reach lighter or a long match to avoid burning your fingers. Hold the flame to the wick for 15-30 seconds. It may take a bit of effort and a few seconds to get the wick to light, so be patient.
Once the wick is lit, you can adjust the flame to your desired height. Depending on the size of your orange and the amount of oil used, your candle can burn for up to two or three hours.
Enjoy the warm glow and delightful scent of your homemade orange candle!
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Enjoy your homemade candle
Now that you've made your very own orange candle, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy its warm and cosy glow. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your unique creation:
Lighting your candle
Lighting an orange candle is a little different from lighting a regular candle. Hold the flame to the wick for about 15 to 30 seconds before allowing the candle to burn on its own. It may take a few seconds, or even a few minutes, for the wick to catch, so be patient!
Burn time
Depending on the size of your orange and the amount of oil you've used, your candle can burn for up to two or three hours. So, you can expect a good long duration of ambient lighting and a delightful citrusy scent.
Safety first
Always remember to place your orange candle on a fire-safe surface, such as a glass or ceramic plate, to catch any dripping oil. And of course, never leave a burning candle unattended.
Creative decorations
If you're feeling extra creative, you can decorate your orange candle by cutting the remaining orange pith into a decorative cover. Or, try adding a few whole cloves or other spices to the oil for a unique aromatic experience.
Clean-up
Once your candle has burned down, you can simply dispose of the orange peel in your compost or recycling bin. Be sure to recycle any glass or metal containers you've used as well.
So, there you have it! You've not only created a fun and unique candle, but you've also found a new way to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Enjoy the warm glow of your homemade orange candle, and feel free to experiment with other citrus fruits like mandarins or clementines for a variety of shapes, sizes, and scents!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need an orange, a sharp knife, a lighter or matches, and some vegetable, canola, or olive oil.
First, cut the orange in half crosswise around its centre, making sure not to pierce the fruit. Then, carefully separate the peel from the orange, making sure not to tear it or break the pith (the white fibres in the middle of the orange segments) as this will become the wick. Place the peeled orange half on a glass or ceramic plate, then fill it up with oil, ensuring the wick is soaked. Finally, light the wick with a lighter or match and enjoy your candle!
Depending on the size of the orange and the amount of oil used, an orange candle can burn for up to two or three hours.
