Improvised Oil Lamp - Tuna Can w/pics

[Blackthorn-USA]

Here’s a quick way to make a little lamp if you need one and have a can of tuna around. You do have cans of tuna right? You need the tuna in oil as that is what is burned as fuel in this lamp. Additionally tuna in oil has 80 calories as opposed to 50 calories in water packed tuna. Better in a survival situation when you need the calories anyway.

So, a tuna can lamp is simply punching a small hole in the top of the tuna can, inserting a wick and lighting. For this lamp I used a cotton ball that I corded out a couple inches. You can use cotton string or any other cotton material, a piece of rag for instance.

1: Poke hole
2: Insert wick
3: Light wick
4: Enjoy light
Added bonus: You can still eat the tuna after it has burned out.










For more primitive oil lamps see this thread.

[MrFleman]

How long on average do you get this to burn? We have lots of canned tuna but all in water. I've never found a reason to buy the oil variety. I may have to rethink this!

[Blackthorn-USA]

As I recall they burned 60 minutes or so. I do remember there was some variation in the three we did that night and one we had done previously. I like the taste of tuna in water better but the tuna in oil has about double the calories. So one more reason to reconsider your stocks.

[MrFleman]

I decided to test how long this would last. I used 5 oz cans of tuna in oil, using one name brand and the other an off-brand. I used cotton balls twisted as the wicks. Both burned bright for about 80 to 85 minutes. Both burned out shortly after 90 minutes. It is anecdotal at best, but I would say you could get just shy of an hour and a half of bright light out of the improvised oil lamp. Plus, I used them for tuna sandwiches afterwards and they tasted great. No burnt flavoring or residue noted. I have pictures but I can't remember how to post them. I haven't really used forums since the late '90s, so I'm still trying to remember/learn the ropes.

[Blackthorn-USA]

Now that you mention that, I think that the half hour one was the odd one of the group we tested. I'm sure all the times are written down somewhere. I'll try to find that as it should be in this thread. Anyway, cool that you gave it a go. One more easy trick to know.

Pics would be great! There are instructions here for video, and other good stuff in the Support topic. And welcome back to forums!

[Gleedaniel13]

Here’s a quick way to make a little lamp if you need one and have a can of tuna around. You do have cans of tuna right? You need the tuna in oil as that is what is burned as fuel in this lamp. Additionally tuna in oil has 80 calories as opposed to 50 calories in water packed tuna. Better in a survival situation when you need the calories anyway.

So, a tuna can lamp is simply punching a small hole in the top of the tuna can, inserting a wick and lighting. For this lamp I used a cotton ball that I corded out a couple inches. You can use cotton string or any other cotton material, a piece of rag for instance.

1: Poke hole
2: Insert wick
3: Light wick
4: Enjoy light
Added bonus: You can still eat the tuna after it has burned out.

I appreciate the creativity. Fortunately, we have already done it here.

[Ronson Jay]

Wow finally a project even the one handed novice can employ. Great idea. Thanks...

[Gleedaniel13]

Can we see the tuna inside after this invention?

[tomcruzz]

nice idea,, actually great.. but it will be more expensive.. just buy a candle its better..