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How to Make a Torch Burn Longer

Constructing a basic torch is as simple as tying bunches of dried grass together and lighting the end on fire. While this simple torch may provide some brief pleasure for pyromaniacs and wilderness enthusiasts, it won̵7;t burn for more than a few minutes or provide much useful light. Once you have a basic wooden torch, preferably constructed of quality wood with a combustible core, you can modify the end you plan to burn in order to prolong the flame.

Things You'll Need

Tallow
Cotton fabric
Iron wires
Torch fuel

Instructions

Melted Tallow
- 1
  Procure tallow and a plain wooden torch. Tallow is hard, rendered animal fat. Beef tallow is the most common kind of tallow, though it can technically be made from any kind of animal fat. You can find tallow at many butcher̵7;s shops or meat markets.
- 2
  Melt the tallow slightly. If you̵7;re roughing it in the wild, start a fire and place your pot of tallow near enough to the flames so the substance heats up. At home, heat the tallow on your stove at low heat. Be careful not to burn the tallow.
- 3
  Dip your wooden torch in the melted tallow or pour the tallow over the head of the torch. Allow the tallow to soak into the torch for at least 10 minutes before lighting it. Depending on the material your torch is made from, you can get up to an hour of light from a torch dipped in tallow.
Fabric and Fuel
- 4
  Get a bolt of cotton about 1 meter long. Multiple smaller lengths of cotton will work for this purpose as well, as long as you are careful not to let the fabric fold over or bunch up when you use it to modify your torch.
- 5
  Wrap the cotton around the head of the torch. When using several smaller pieces, keep wrapping strips of fabric around the torch until the cotton layer is about 3 inches thick. Wrap iron wires around the top and bottom of the fabric layer to prevent slippage of the cotton during burning.
- 6
  Dip the end of the torch wrapped in fabric into a container of kerosene, torch fuel or paraffin for at least five minutes. After the combustible fuel has adequately soaked the cotton layer, light it and enjoy up to an hour of light.

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