I had a "brilliant" idea that turned out to be not so brilliant. I read about using a candle to heat a vehicle if you are stuck in a snowstorm. But, where to put it? I found a jar that was just the right size for the cup holders. Using a kerosene lamp wick, I cast a candle in the jar. Now, I can put the jar-candle in the cup holder. Unfortunately, the cup holder is too close to the dashboard . I don't want to keep warm by setting the interior on fire. Perhaps a smaller wick would help. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Heh. I see the attraction, though.

Would an aluminum foil "shield" help any?

A friend and his wife were in s snowstorm on the way home from s ski trip and rather than drive the icy, snowy road late at night, they pulled off into a small country store parking lot off the highway and had sleeping bags and munchies in the car. He had taken his candle lantern just in case and lit it and hung it in the middle of the roll bar, old Toyota Forerunner, he also cracked a window down on the lee side of the wind. It helped provide warmth, keeps the humidity down and gives off a nice light.
I always take one snow camping and hang it from the peak of my tent, works well and before I got older and lost some of my vision, I could read by the light. Main thing it does in a tent is keep the frost down inside the roof of the tent and of course provides some heat.
Try looking for a small candle lantern, REI carries them. Cheers!

Depends on how you wear it:
http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

Phil

It's truck-dependent, as you've found. My cup holders are on the console between the front seats, so no problem putting a candle there. You don't say what truck you've got, but it's clearly not mine.

Just keep experimenting; you'll find a place.

Phil

DON'T... REPEAT, DO NOT use that candle as is, I've broken more than one glass jar using them as a container for a re-cast candle... apparently, there's not too many jars out there that are tempered to handle the heat from a burning wick on the inside. I can't stand the idea of throwing away candle stubs, so I use wide mouth jars, but I always put them on a large plate to catch wayward wax if/when the jar cracks/breaks, and I keep the plate/jar clear of combustables, but there's no way I'd use one in a vehicle. Stick with a candle in a can, there are several "survival" candles that fill the bill on the market, or if you're of a mind to, you can make your own. I've found that an "International Blends" gourmet coffee can works great, they even have a reusable plastic lid to hold matches or a BIC with the candle.

Troy

I've seen coffee cans and bulk film cannisters used without negative consequences.

Noticed the other day that Target also carries a stainless steel ashtray. Might work.

I am not so sure about that being a good idea...

I have one of those exact same lanterns, as shown here...
http://www.rei.com/product/4496.htm

A week ago, I felt like relaxing, and did not want any harsh electric lights (there is something about the nice warm glow of a candle, and these lanterns put off a lot more light than my wife's decorative candles).

So, I hung this lantern from the pull-chain of a ceiling fan in my house (fan turned off, of course). After about half of an hour, the pull chain was so hot that I could not even touch it. So it takes a while, but whatever is above this lantern does indeed get quite warm. I do not know what temperature it takes to ignite nylon, but I do not want to find out on a tent that I happen to be in at the time.

Of course, if it is snowing in a tent at the time, you might still be safe. And I have hung this lantern form my own tent before, but only for 10 minutes at a time. So it might still be safe to use thing thing for short periods. But after my experience, I do not want to risk it any more.

However, I would feel quite safe putting the lantern on the bottom of my tent, if I could find a way to keep it elevated from the floor, and if I could arrange it so that it could not tip over.

Just my $0.02, and worth every penny.

Actually I believe the lantern my buddy has is the same as mine, it is a French made item that uses a "pink lady" candle that has to be cut off before putting it in the lantern. It hangs by a chain on top, which keeps relatively cool. Heat does rise. I have used the lantern all night in a tent before with no damage to the tent, the tent roof did not get hot at all. I probably have done a full or partial night 50+ times.
I believe the candles in the lantern REI now sells are larger diameter and hang with a solid, short handle. It is very common while mountaineering to hang a stove from the ceiling of a tent and use the stove to melt snow, cook meals, etc. I have done that inside a tent as well, but that keeps your attention. It is only done where no other means is practical.

Theres an old folkstory from I believe Turkey ( Burak!) The men had gathered together over coffee and in conversation one boastedd he could stand outside all night in the winter cold. His friends challenged him to the bet, the man to provide a banquet if he failed. So that very day he walked out at sunset to the barren hillside overlooking the village in only his thin work clothes. It became bitterly cold and he soon felt colder than at anytime in his life. Dark shadows of wolves mixed with the eary sounds of the wind. He was about to give in and race to home and bed when he spotted the tiny light of a candle far below in a window. He stared at the far away candle and found courage. With prayers to Allah he watched the candle burn until the first rays of sunlight brought warmth and his approaching friends to see if he had survived. They were naturally shocked and looked about for signs of a campfire or secreted rugs. Finding nothing they questioned him at length. He finally told of the distant candle in the window. AHAH! that candle, however far gave off heat. You lose the bet and we dine at your home tonight. That evening the men assembled and waited, and waited until 4 hours passed. Finally in anger they burst into the kitchen. There was the man, true to his promise cooking a dinner in a huge copper pot- over a single candle. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Please refer to my toilet paper, coffeecan and alcohol car heater in an earlier thread. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />