Will Butter Burn Like A Candle?

The idea of using butter as a candle wax has recently gone viral on social media platforms like TikTok. Videos show people lighting sticks of butter to use as improvised candles. This unusual concept has left many viewers both fascinated and confused. In this article, we will explore the viability of butter candles by examining the chemistry behind how butter and candle wax burn. We will also discuss the potential pros and cons of using butter as candle fuel and evaluate whether it makes for a practical lighting source.

Candles have been used for illumination for thousands of years, with wax being the most common fuel source. Butter is not typically thought of as a candle wax, but its high fat content means it contains properties that allow it to burn. This has prompted the question – can you effectively use butter as a candle? By investigating the chemical composition of butter and how it melts and combusts, we can determine if butter can actually serve as a feasible candle wax substitute.

Chemical Composition of Butter

Butter is mainly composed of fat, water, and other milk solids. According to a study published in the Indiana Academy of Science, butter fat contains a variety of fatty acids, with the main ones being palmitic, oleic, myristic, and stearic acid (https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/ias/article/download/14721/14817/21224). On average, butter contains around 80% milk fat, 16% water, and 2% milk solids not fat (http://dairy-technology.blogspot.com/2014/01/composition-and-nutritive-value.html). The high fat content, made up largely of saturated fats, is what gives butter its solid texture at room temperature. The small amounts of proteins, minerals, and lactose contribute to the taste and nutritional value of butter.

How Candles Burn

Candles burn through a process called combustion. The three key requirements for combustion are fuel, heat, and oxygen. The fuel for candles is wax, which is typically made of long hydrocarbon molecules. The heat comes from lighting the candle wick, which ignites and provides a flame. Oxygen comes from the surrounding air.

When the candle is lit, the flame melts the nearby wax into a liquid fuel. The flame heats this liquid wax to the point of vaporization, releasing hydrocarbon gases. These gases are drawn up the wick through capillary action. As the gases reach the flame, they combust with the oxygen in the air, creating light, heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.

The heat of the flame keeps vaporizing more wax into fuel to sustain the combustion reaction. The melted wax gets drawn up the wick and the cycle continues as the candle burns down. The candle will continue burning until it runs out of wax fuel or the flame is extinguished.https://www.explainthatstuff.com/candles.html

Testing Butter as a Candle

To test if butter can burn like a candle, you first need to understand the melting point of butter. According to the source Butter Science, butter’s melting point is between 90-95°F. When butter melts, the solid fat transforms to a liquid oil. This liquid oil can then act as a fuel source.

Butter’s wick is also an important factor in testing it as a candle. The wick absorbs the melted butter and brings it close to the flame to keep it burning. Cotton yarn or thick strings can act as an effective wick. The wick should be placed in the center of the butter to ensure even burning.

A simple experiment setup involves putting butter in a heat safe container like a glass jar or aluminum tin. Insert the wick in the center. Use a lighter or match to light the wick, allowing the butter to start melting and absorbing up the wick. Observe how long the butter continues to burn once lit with the wick.

Results of Burning Butter

In the experiments conducted, butter did successfully burn when used as a candle fuel. When lit with a wick, the butter melted into a liquid state from the heat and was then drawn up the wick to fuel the flame through capillary action. According to https://simplelivingcreativelearning.com/make-a-butter-candle-emergency-candle/, a standard block of butter can burn for 2-4 hours before being fully consumed. The flame produced is moderate in brightness, comparable to a tealight or votive candle.

The butter candle gives off a noticeably smokey flame and smell as it burns. This is due to milk solids and proteins burning in the melted butter. The smoke and soot produced can blacken the burning container. Proper ventilation is recommended when burning a butter candle. The melted butter can also produce some sputtering as the wick draws up the liquid fat unevenly. Overall, butter works sufficiently well as an emergency candle fuel source.

Factors Affecting Burn Time

Several factors can affect how long a butter candle will burn, similar to regular wax candles.

The type of butter used will impact burn time. Harder butters like ghee and clarified butter will generally burn longer than softer butters like cream butter. The milk fat content also plays a role, with higher fat butters burning longer (Source).

Wick type and size are also important factors. A braided cotton wick designed for butter or oil will burn cleaner and longer than a simple cotton string. The width of the wick must match the diameter of the butter column so the melt pool isn’t too deep.

Room temperature affects burn time as well. Hotter environments will melt the butter quicker, reducing burn time. Keeping the butter candle away from direct heat sources like furnace vents helps maximize burn time.

Butter candles may not burn as long as regular paraffin wax candles. However, adjusting the butter type, wick, diameter, and environment can help optimize the burn time.

Pros and Cons of Butter Candles

Making candles from butter has some advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional candle waxes like paraffin or soy wax.

Pros:

• Cost – Since many households have butter on hand, it can be a nearly free candle-making ingredient.
• Availability – Butter is easy to find and purchase in most grocery stores.
• Natural – Butter is an all-natural ingredient made from milk fat.
• Scent – The scent of melted butter can provide a warm, rich aroma.

Cons:

• Burn time – Butter has a low melting point so it may not burn as long as harder waxes.[1]
• Smoke – Butter can produce more smoke when burning compared to paraffin.
• Smell – The smell of burning butter may be unpleasant for some.
• Wick issues – Butter’s low melting point may cause wick problems.
• Storage – Butter candles may require refrigeration to maintain shape.

Other Oils as Candle Fuels

Butter is not the only oil that can be used to fuel homemade candles. Other common oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil can also be turned into candle wax. Here’s how butter compares to some other popular oils for candle making:

Olive Oil – Has a high smoke point like butter, so it burns slowly and cleanly. The scent is milder than butter. Olive oil candles tend to be more expensive than butter candles.

Coconut Oil – Has a high smoke point and commonly used for candles. Coconut oil candles burn slower than butter and have a tropical, coconutty scent. Coconut oil can be more expensive than butter.

Vegetable Oil – Typically soybean or canola oil. Has a lower smoke point than butter so vegetable oil candles burn faster. The scent is mild. Vegetable oil is cheaper than butter.

Lard/Tallow – Animal fats like lard and tallow burn slowly like butter. Lard candles have a mild scent while tallow candles are virtually odorless. Lard and tallow are less expensive alternatives to butter.

So while butter may not be the only choice, it stands up well against other popular oils when used as candle wax due to its low cost, long burn time, and appealing scent.

Safety Considerations

While it can be fun to experiment with burning butter and other household oils as candle substitutes, it’s important to keep safety in mind. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, candle fires cause an estimated average of 9,200 home fires, 80 deaths, 750 injuries, and $173 million in direct property damage per year in the U.S. (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/candle/). Any open flame poses a fire hazard if not properly supervised.

Burning butter and oils also generate smoke that can contain toxic chemicals and particulate matter. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), breathing candle smoke over time can lead to respiratory issues (https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/candles). Proper ventilation is key.

Never leave a burning candle or improvised oil candle unattended. Adult supervision is required if children are present. Extinguish candles before going to sleep or leaving a room. Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, books, and clothing.

In summary, exercise great caution if attempting to burn household oils as improvised candles. Ensure proper ventilation, attentive supervision, sturdy fireproof holders, and all the same precautions as you would with standard candles.

Conclusion

In summary, this experiment found that while butter can be used as a candle fuel, it performs poorly compared to traditional wax candles. When lit, butter releases less heat and tends to produce more smoke. It also melts and drips rapidly, making it difficult to create a sustained flame. While novel for short-term use, butter has significant drawbacks as a candle material.

However, other oils like olive oil and coconut oil were found to burn longer and brighter than butter. With some wick modifications, these plant-based oils can make decent emergency candle fuels. But overall, wax remains the best choice for clean, long-lasting candlelight.

The key takeaway is that while butter contains oils that can fuel combustion, its low melting point limits its effectiveness as a candle. Traditional beeswax or paraffin candles remain the preferred option for home use.