UCO Candle Lantern owners unite...

[xj35s]

I have been searching online and at a variety of stores for more of these tubes which make perfect candles for the UCO.

I now have all the info needed and A.C.Moore is the exclusive provider. Their new parent company is sbars crafts, used to be nicoles crafts.

Here is the link and description. use this at A.C.Moore local, they will order if not in stock. item SND301 They are $1 each.

https://www.sbarsonline.com/sbars/c-614-sand-bottles.aspx

If you want one pm me your address, I have been buying 4 or 5 every time I'm at the store. you get 2 candles per tube. I'll send 2 tubes for 4 candles.

If you're using 100% beeswax you need square braid #4/0 wick and this is the cheapest place you can find it. Any other wick will not burn right in your UCO with beeswax. beeswax burns hot. The wick looks long but it is very bright and does not soot or smoke at all. The square braid wick is designed to bend over and burn off clean.

I can take a video of it burning if you'd like to see it.
http://www.peakcandle.com/products/40-Square-Braid-Wick__W1063.aspx


Paraffin wax needs a smaller wick like zinc core 28-24 or cotton core C-30
http://www.peakcandle.com/category/Wicks/Zinc-Core-Wicks.aspx

You fill the tube then cut the candle in half an inch above center. The bottom candle will need a little cut off, to expose the wick, being careful not to cut the wick. It doesn't need to be tapered at the top like the bought candles. The metal will heat up enough to taper it as it gets pushed up by the spring.

 

[Wildmike]

Thanks xj!!!

I love the UCO's and this info will make it easier for me to make and use my own Beeswax candles in mine. You've saved me a bit of experimenting time.

 

[skorpyd]

I don't know anything about candle making, but have been thinking about getting one of the UCO lanterns. I have seen where the UCO brand candles are supposed to work better than "cheaper" candles in the lanterns. What are the benefits of using bees wax and are there any disadvantages.

 

[MJDavis]

Thanks xj35s, Now have to figure how to make my own. I use my UCO on just about every overnight in the woods.

How long do these burn for you?

 

[Spork]

Have you calculated the approximate cost per candle? I'll bet it is much cheaper than buying the UCO beeswax.

 

[xj35s]

I couldn't find the UCO beeswax candles anywhere for less than $9.99 per package of 3. The actual cost for me buying 100% beeswax from a local guy at $4 per 12oz brick and the square braid wick, it's under $1 each even with propane included.

Burn for an easy 10 hours. I cut them a little short though. It makes them easier to put in with the spring. Plus if you do taper the top of the candle like the bought ones it'll give another 15 to 30 minutes. You could just roll the edge next to a candle flame to get the rounded dome.

The simplicity in candle making is simply putting the wax in one pan, that is floating inside another pan full of water. Heat the water-water heats the pan of wax- wax slowly melts.

The reason for the double boiler is to prevent wax flashing as it can get too hot and ignite in a pan on direct flame.

I used the awl on my SAK to put a small hole in the bottom of the tubes. I ran the wick through and taped it to the bottom. Then I slit the plastic cap and pull the wick up tight after filling with wax. All the wicks came out centered.

 

[kgd]

Very cool. I make it a habit of buying a pile of the UCO candles when I see them. I honestly haven't noticed any difference burning the branded beeswax ones and their standard emergency ones. Albeit, I like the multi-faceted uses of having a beeswax candle (e.g. rubbing it axe handles and such), I've sort of fallen back to the regular ones again.

Edit - for anyone in the market for a new one, you can buy a UCO candle lantern with a built in little LED lamp on the bottom. I highly recommend it. My wife bought me one and at first I thought it was stupid. But then I started using it, mostly as a quicky little 'where is my pillow' kind of thing...The LED is a cool little addition to a great piece of kit.