Torches can be used to light a path, provide light and add ambiance to a patio, or be used to light a campfire when camping. However, you must act with extreme care if you wish to light a torch, and take precautions when handling fires. You can make a variety of torches, depending on the materials available.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Minimalist Torch
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
A minimalist torch is perfect for those of you who don't have adequate resources, for example when you are in the forest without the right equipment. If you want to make this quick-burning torch, you'll need:
- Wooden sticks or twigs that are still wet with a minimum length of 60 cm and a thickness of 5 cm
- Cotton cloth or bark (of birch)
- Fuels, such as kerosene, naphtha-based fuel for camping, fuel for matches, or animal or plant fats.
- Matches or lighters
Step 2. Cut the fabric
Like candles, torches also need a wick. You can make a wick out of sheets of cotton fabric, for example from an old cotton T-shirt. Cut or tear the fabric into sheets 30 cm wide and 60 cm long.
- Alternatively, if cotton is not available you can use sheets of bark (usually birch). Look for a birch tree, then peel the bark about 15 cm wide and 60 cm long).
- If you're using bark, you'll also need rope, thread, wire, or reed to tie it together.
Step 3. Glue the wick to the torch
Position the wide end of the sheet at the top of the stick. Wrap the sheet of cloth around the top of the torch, and continue to wrap it in the same place until a thick mound forms. When you reach the end of the fabric, tuck the end under the loop until the roll is firmly tied.
If using bark, wrap the bark tightly around the tip of the torch. When you reach the end of the bark, hold the bark there, then tie it with string or reed around the top and bottom of the wick to keep it from shifting
Step 4. Dip the wick of a cotton cloth in a flammable liquid
Before the torch is lit, the cloth must be immersed in a flammable liquid, because it is the liquid that will burn, not the cloth. Soak the tip of the wick in the fuel, and let it sit for a few minutes until the fabric is saturated.
The wick of birch bark does not need to be soaked because the bark already contains natural resins that can burn
Step 5. Light the torch
Use matches, lighters, or bonfires to do this. Hold the torch perpendicular to the top, and stick the flame at the bottom of the wick until it ignites. This may take about 1 minute. Once lit, the torch can last for a minimum of 20 minutes to an hour. A birch bark wick will only last about 15 minutes.
- Do not light the torch in a dry place with lots of wood as it can burn the wood there.
- Do not light torches inside houses or buildings.
- Hold the torch at arm's length so you don't get caught in the fire. Also be aware of falling sparks or embers because they can burn clothes and objects around them.
Method 2 of 3: Making Torches with Water Sticks
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
A cattail torch is another type of minimalist torch that only requires a few simple ingredients. In this torch, the tip of the plant must be immersed in a flammable liquid. In addition to water sticks, you will also need:
- Reeds, sticks, sticks, or hollow pieces of bamboo
- Fuel
- Matches or lighters
Step 2. Find a water stick
The best locations for finding water sticks are around ponds, lakes, marshes, and other wet places. This plant is also known as cumbungi, reedmace, and bulrush.
Since the water stick is thin, you'll also need a stick or stick with a hole that you can insert the water stick in the middle. This stick will serve as a handle. Make sure the stick is at least 60 cm long
Step 3. Soak a stick of water in a flammable liquid
Place a stick of water in oil or a flammable liquid, and let it soak for at least 1 hour. This is to give the tip of the water stick time to absorb as much oil as possible so that the torch can last longer.
Suitable fuels for this purpose include diesel, naphtha-based fuels, fuel for matches, or animal and plant fats
Step 4. Assemble and light the torch
After soaking, insert the bottom of the water stick into the slotted stick so that the oil-soaked end is above the stick. Use a match or lighter to light the bottom of the water stick.
- Torches from water sticks can last up to 6 hours.
- Do not light this torch in or near flammable objects.
- Don't hold the torch close to your body so you don't get caught in the fire.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Long Lasting Torch with Kevlar
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
This type of torch requires more equipment and special equipment than other types of torches. This is not a minimalist torch that can be made in an emergency situation. If you want to make one, you'll need:
- Aluminum stick with a minimum thickness of 3 cm and a length of 60 cm
- Kevlar Fabric
- Kevlar Yarn
- Scissors
- Aluminum screw measuring 6 mm
- Screwdriver or drill
- Bucket
- fuel from naphtha
- Used towels
- Matches or lighters
Step 2. Cut the Kevlar fabric into strips
Cut the Kevlar fabric using scissors into strips 10 cm wide and 60 cm long. Kevlar fabric can be purchased at a hardware, hardware, supermarket, fabric store, or online.
- Kevlar is a durable synthetic fabric made from plastic. However, this material is fire resistant and does not melt, making it very suitable for torches.
- Kevlar is commonly used by jugglers and circus performers who use fire.
Step 3. Attach the Kevlar to the stick
Place the end of the strip of fabric over the wide end of the stick. Drill or tighten the screws to attach the fabric to the sticks on the bottom and top edges of the fabric. Place the screws about 10 mm from the top and bottom edges.
- Aluminum has a smooth surface, and to prevent the Kevlar axis from sliding down, secure the axis with screws.
- The use of aluminum as sticks and screws is very important because aluminum does not transfer heat from the flame of the torch.
Step 4. Wrap and secure the fabric
After screwing to the stick, wrap the Kevlar cloth around the end of the stick. Pull the fabric tightly as you wind it so that it looks nice and adheres firmly. When you reach the end of the fabric, tie the fabric tightly with Kevlar thread.
Use two threads to tie the fabric, one at the top, and the other at the bottom
Step 5. Immerse the torch wick into the fuel
Put the camping fuel at least 10 cm high into the bucket. Soak the wick of the torch in the fuel and let it sit there for a few minutes until the fuel is absorbed. After that, remove the torch from the bucket and drain any excess liquid that drips on an old towel.
Step 6. Light the torch
Use a match or lighter to light the bottom of the wick of the torch. Kevlar torches can last for several hours. You can turn off the torch flame and reuse it later.
To extinguish a burning torch, cover the top with a metal container, such as a soft drink can with the top cut off. Leave the can there until the torch is extinguished
Warning
- Do not let children play with fire.
- Don't forget to have a fire extinguisher near you.
