I was recently traveling (3rd world country) and the power went out in the hotel. My wife and I had a bic lighter but no candle. It got me to wondering how would you improvise a candle with materials other than wax, or is this even possible. I have looked on the internet but haven't had much luck, other than make and carry your own emergency candle with you. Now I know there are lots of things to do in the dark but any actual illumination suggestions would be great.

Isn't it basically a long chain hydrocarbon with a wick? I'd try fats, oils and greases.

Permanent markers work, for a little bit anyway. I had a pyromaniacal youth.

I would try a butter lamp, hand sanitizer lamp, oil lamp. Liquids will be much easier to work with than anything else.

Have fun!

Ear Wax seemed to work in "Shrek". ;)

A friend who grew up quite poor in the old country said that on holidays her family would make "candles" by gouging out a hole in a potato, filling it with cooking oil, then add a cloth wick and light it. When they no longer needed candles they would cook the potato and eat it.

That is amazing and multi-use! Does it work with freeze dried potatoes?