Use Leftover Bacon Drippings To Make An Oil Lamp

Storm season is here, and if the power goes out for a long time you may want a light source that doesn’t run on batteries. We’ve shown you once how to build an emergency oil lamp from a can of tuna, but if you don’t like the smell of fish, try on this bacon fat-powered lamp for size.

A number of people noted the fishy, oily smell that would come from using a can of tuna as an emergency lamp. We still like the idea, especially since you might want a can of tuna in your emergency kit anyway, but if you prefer the smell of cooked bacon, all you need is a stick, a small tin can, a strip of cotton to soak up the fat, and of course, some bacon or bacon drippings.

Over at Instructables, user cammers suggests getting some bacon to cook to make the lamp, but that might be a bit much to do when the power is out and you need some light. Cooking bacon in the dark sounds dangerous to us. It might be better to cook your bacon when you want it, then save the drippings for when the time is right.

Then, when the storms come or the power goes out, go grab your bacon fat and a soup can. Drop the wick into the bottom of a can (cammers suggests adding some sand to the bottom to support the wick,) pour in the oil, and light the wick. You’ll have a working oil lamp that’ll last for hours, and your home will be gifted with the smell of cooking bacon.

Admittedly, the bacon fat lamp requires a bit more prep than the tuna can lamp, so it’s not a good candidate for an emergency kit. Still, who doesn’t love the smell of bacon, and it’s a good use for those leftover bacon drippings. Okay, we know most of you won’t run out and try this, so what do you use your bacon drippings for instead? Share your favourite uses in the comments. Photo by Joy.

Bacon Powered Lamp | Instructables

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