Maddie James
Trench candles are candles made from tin cans stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. They are used in trenches, bunkers, and makeshift field positions to provide light and warmth, as well as to dry out trenches, cook food, boil water, and warm people up. During World War II, trench candles were standard-issue items for soldiers, and they continue to be used in modern conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, where volunteers have been making trench candles for troops serving on the frontline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Tin cans (empty enamel paint cans, pet food tins), corrugated cardboard, paraffin wax |
| Uses | Drying out trenches, cooking food, boiling water, providing warmth, illumination |
| Burn time | Up to 5-6 hours |
| Storage | Compact size makes them easy to store in bags, rucksacks, or uniform pockets |
| Warnings | Adjust the wick holder properly and place away from flammable materials |
| Other features | Waterproof print on the container, comes with a cover |
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What You'll Learn
- Trench candles are made from tin cans, stuffed with cardboard and paraffin wax
- They provide light and warmth, and can be used to dry out a trench
- They can also be used to cook food, boil water, and warm people up
- During World War Two, they were standard-issue items for night illumination in trenches
- Ukrainian volunteers are making them for troops serving on the frontline
Trench candles are made from tin cans, stuffed with cardboard and paraffin wax
Trench candles are a vital source of warmth and light for troops in the Ukrainian trenches. They are also used for cooking and boiling water. These candles are made from tin cans, stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. Enamel paint cans and pet food tins are being used by volunteers to make these candles. The tin cans come with a cover, which is useful as the candle can be "closed, thrown into boiling water, heated up and then put under your coat", according to one of the organisers, Nazarova.
Trench candles are not a new invention and were used in previous conflicts, including World War Two, where they were standard-issue items for illumination at night in trenches, bunkers, and makeshift field positions. They were also used for warming food or hands in confined spaces. The compact size of these candles made them easy to carry and store.
The process of making trench candles involves stuffing the tin cans with corrugated cardboard and then pouring in melted paraffin wax. The wax is allowed to cool and solidify, and the resulting candle can be lit by lighting the end of the cardboard wick. The tin can surrounding the candle helps to contain the flame and protect it from going out in windy or wet conditions.
The initiative to make trench candles for Ukrainian troops was started by volunteers, including Nazarova and Polina Sheremet, who is a co-organiser. They have delivered more than 3,000 of these multi-functional candles to the trenches in the south and east of Ukraine. The candles can burn for up to five or six hours, providing much-needed warmth and light to the troops.
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They provide light and warmth, and can be used to dry out a trench
Trench candles are multi-purpose tools that have been used by troops in previous conflicts, including World War Two. They are made from tin cans—typically enamel paint cans and pet food tins—which are stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. The candles are a source of light and warmth in the trenches, and they can burn for up to five or six hours. Their compact size makes them convenient for storage in bags, rucksacks, or uniform pockets.
In addition to providing light and warmth, trench candles can be used to dry out a trench. This is particularly useful in the context of Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia, where Russian forces have targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, causing regular blackouts and disruptions in heating and water supplies. By lighting candles in the trenches, troops can help to mitigate the effects of these attacks and create a drier environment.
The warmth generated by trench candles also serves a variety of other purposes. They can be used to warm food, boil water, and warm people up in cold conditions. The candles come with warnings to adjust the wick holder properly and to keep them away from flammable materials. This is especially important in the context of a trench, where the confined space and presence of weapons and other equipment create a potentially dangerous environment if proper precautions are not taken.
The use of trench candles in Ukraine is part of a grassroots initiative to support the country's military. Volunteers have come together to make these candles, singing Ukrainian folk songs as they work. The initiative has delivered more than 3,000 candles to Ukrainian trenches in the south and east of the country, providing much-needed light, warmth, and a means to dry out their living spaces.
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They can also be used to cook food, boil water, and warm people up
Trench candles are a vital source of warmth and light for troops in Ukraine. They are made from tin cans—typically enamel paint cans and pet food tins—which are stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. These candles can burn for up to five or six hours, providing much-needed heat in the trenches and bunkers.
The benefits of trench candles extend beyond illumination and warmth. They are also used for a variety of practical purposes, including cooking food, boiling water, and warming people up. In the context of military conflicts, particularly in challenging conditions such as trenches, these candles serve as a valuable tool for survival and comfort.
Cooking with trench candles is a practical solution when access to traditional cooking methods may be limited or unsafe. The sustained heat produced by the candle's flame can be utilised to cook or warm food, making it a crucial resource for troops who need hot meals to maintain their energy and morale. The candles can also be used to boil water, which is essential for hygiene, hydration, and preparing meals.
The warmth provided by trench candles offers a means of raising the overall temperature in enclosed spaces like trenches and bunkers. By lighting these candles, troops can create a more comfortable and bearable environment, protecting them from the harsh cold and improving their overall well-being. The compact size of trench candles makes them convenient to store and carry, ensuring accessibility whenever they are needed.
The process of making trench candles has become a collaborative effort in Ukraine, with volunteers coming together to produce these essential items for the troops. The initiative has already delivered over 3,000 multi-functional candles to Ukrainian trenches, demonstrating the impact of collective action in supporting those on the front lines.
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During World War Two, they were standard-issue items for night illumination in trenches
Trench candles were standard-issue items during World War Two, used for night illumination in trenches, bunkers, and makeshift field positions. They were also used as a small heat source for warming food or hands in confined spaces. Their compact size made them easy to store and carry, and they came with warnings instructing soldiers to adjust the wick holder and keep the candle away from flammable materials.
Trench candles were made from tin cans, stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. They were used by troops in previous conflicts, including World War Two, and have been recently used by Ukrainian volunteers to provide light and warmth for troops in trenches. The candles can burn for up to five or six hours, providing much-needed light and heat in difficult conditions.
In World War Two, trench candles would have been crucial for soldiers in dark and cramped trench systems, providing a small but vital source of light and warmth. They were likely used alongside other illumination devices such as lanterns or flashlights, but their compact size and ease of use made them a standard-issue item for soldiers. The candles could be placed in small spaces and provided a longer-lasting source of light compared to a match or lighter.
The heat generated by the candles also served an important function, as soldiers could use them to warm their hands or heat small amounts of food or water. This would have been especially important in the cold and damp conditions often experienced in trenches. The candles' metal containers also offered some protection from the elements, and their waterproof design made them suitable for use in the field.
Today, trench candles are still used in conflict zones, with Ukrainian volunteers making them from tin cans to support troops on the frontline. The candles provide a source of light and warmth and can be used for various purposes, including drying out trenches, cooking food, boiling water, and providing heat. In modern times, as in World War Two, trench candles remain a valuable tool for soldiers facing challenging and dangerous conditions.
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Ukrainian volunteers are making them for troops serving on the frontline
Ukrainian volunteers have been making "trench candles" from tin cans for troops serving on the front line. The initiative is a response to the energy crisis triggered by the war, which has caused regular blackouts and disrupted heating and water supplies due to Russian forces targeting Ukraine's infrastructure. The candles are made from empty enamel paint cans and pet food tins stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. They provide crucial warmth and light and can be used to dry out trenches, cook food, boil water, and warm people up.
Nino Nazarova, an organiser of the initiative, said: "(The candles) can be used to dry out a trench, cook food, which is very important, boil water, and warm people up." The candles have been used by troops in previous conflicts, including World War Two. The initiative has delivered more than 3,000 multi-functional candles to Ukrainian trenches in the south and east of the country, with the candles reportedly burning for up to five or six hours.
The process of making the trench candles is fairly simple. Cardboard sheets are cut into strips, twisted, and fitted inside tin cans. The cans are then filled with a mixture of wax and paraffin. The initiative has brought together Ukrainians from all walks of life, including children who have joined their parents during candle-making sessions. The volunteers' motivation to help the army grows stronger as Russian missile attacks continue.
One volunteer, Taras Mozgoviy, a former architect, said: "my profession is irrelevant, what is relevant is what I did for our victory." The volunteers' efforts have resulted in more than 10,000 trench candles being delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The candles are not only practical for warmth and light but also have a symbolic significance, with volunteers singing Ukrainian folk songs as they worked during an event at a Kyiv cultural center.
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Frequently asked questions
Trench candles are candles made from tin cans stuffed with corrugated cardboard and paraffin wax. They are used for warmth and light.
They were standard-issue items used for illumination in trenches, bunkers, and makeshift field positions during previous conflicts, including World War Two.
Trench candles can reportedly burn for up to five or six hours.
Trench candles have been used by Ukrainian volunteers to provide light and warmth to troops serving on the front line during the war with Russia.
