Emergency Candle Kit In A Mason Jar

• 16oz (pint) wide mouth Mason jar, lid, band**
• Emergency candles*
• Matchbooks
• PVC pipe 3/4”- The size of PVC will be determined by the candles diameter.
• E6000 Glue
• Saw
• Saw guide
• Clamp

*I used candles readily found at the dollar tree and some from an army surplus store. The candles were different sizes and required the use of different sized mason jars. The more commonly found Dollar Tree emergency candles require using a 16oz wide mouth mason jars Because they are just barely too long for the jars.

**I was able to purchase several of my wide mouth Mason jars used from thrift shops. They can otherwise be found new from local stores such as Walmart, during the canning season.

#1. Cut PVC pipe 1/2”-3/4”

I then used the vice to help me cut the last little edge that I couldn’t seem to cut using the saw guide.

#2. Sand Off the Burrs

#3. Glue PVC to the underside of the reversible lid

#4. Add optional decorations or label

#5. The candles will need to be placed into the jar upside down and at a sideways leaning angle. then place the matches in before inserting the final candle stick.

TIP: I found that using matchbooks actually worked 100% better than using the mini match boxes.

#6. For an added touch of safety add a warning label and wick care instructions, this is completely optional.

I decided to gift my neighbors and family these emergency candle kits after experiencing a week long power outage a few months ago. I seem to have experienced more power outages these few short years living in Utah than I ever experienced growing up and living in the PNW. For some reason power outages in the PNW just don’t seem to last very long or as frequently as they occur in Utah.

I would like to add that emergency candles are really only intended for short power outages of 24-48 hours. For power outages lasting longer than 48 hours it’s best advisable to use oil lamps for a reliable light source.