Olive oil lamps for safe, atmospheric lighting

olive oil lamps are easy to make & safe to burn

Olive oil lamps have been in use for centuries. Primarily the oil was a necessary burning fuel but now these lamps are in demand because olive oil is a petroleum free, sustainable lighting fuel.

As a practical form of interior lighting, olive oil lamps look good, are easy to buy or make. And, unlike petroleum fueled oil lamps, if they spill or get knocked over, the oil just goes rather than spreading the fire. Which is why they were popular on boats and Noah’s ark!

Olive oil is eco oil

Olive oil is free from chemicals. Unlike other oils or candles, olive oil does not derive from the petroleum industries, and therefore does not emit any toxic gases, nor any odours. It burns safely without adding any fumes to your home or scented room.

The olive tree is easily grown and widely available. Its products – oil and fruit – are a sustainable source of crop, food and oil.

Other vegetable and plant oils will work just as well – although each oil has its own unique fragrance and some are much cheaper to burn.

Mood & atmosphere

Low burning lamps are a useful and simple way to alter the mood of a room.  By placing glass jars or terracotta burners in select spaces, you can create a glow or change the atmosphere in seconds – no need for plugs, sockets or wires dangling around.

Make your own

If you fancy experimenting with some old glass jars and bottles, you can whip up an oil lamp in minutes.

All you need is water, oil, a cotton wick or scrap piece of cotton, a holder with a lid (bottle, jar)

• Mix some oil and water – the quantity is up to you but half/half is a good start – You can add nontoxic vegetable colouring to the water to make pretty patterns.

• Pure the mix into your container – glass jar, bottle etc

• Add the wick or cotton scrap. Make sure the wick is not fully submerged. You can secure it with a wick holder, easily obtained from craft shops – but it will work without one

• Make a hole in your bottle or jar lid. Large enough to feed the wick through, but small enough for it not to fall through

• Feed the wick trough the hole and secure your lid

• Light your candle – it should burn for a long time, depending on size of wick and amount of oil, so don’t scrimp.

Or if you prefer, you can buy a conversion kit or ready-made olive oil lamps from All things Green