---
title: "Candle Instead of Stove: Social Media Shows DIY 'Kitchen' for Blackout — Rescuers Warn of Danger"
description: "A video featuring a DIY 'stove' made from a candle and an oven rack for blackout cooking went viral on Ukrainian social media. The SES warned of fire and burn risks, recommending certified portable gas burners instead."
date: 2026-11-14T15:16:36.334Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/candle-instead-of-stove-diy-blackout-kitchen
tags: [ukraine, power-outage, cooking, safety, candle, diy, gschs]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Candle Instead of Stove: Social Media Shows DIY 'Kitchen' for Blackout — Rescuers Warn of Danger

![A man frying an egg in a pan over a candle in a kitchen sink during a blackout](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/14/sv-v-pliti-samodelnaya-kuhnya-dlya-blekauta/sv-v-pliti-samodelnaya-kuhnya-dlya-blekauta-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The Instagram video shows a setup for frying an egg: a candle in the sink, a metal rack, and a frying pan
- The SES warns of fire risks, plastic deformation, and burns when using open flame at home
- Rescuers recommend certified portable gas burners and stoves instead of DIY solutions
- The setup attracts with zero cost, but is not intended for safe food preparation

Power outages, which have become a regular occurrence in Ukraine amid ongoing attacks on the energy grid, force residents to look for unconventional solutions for the most basic household tasks — primarily cooking. Budget life hacks that do not require purchasing special equipment are actively spreading on social networks. One of the most discussed options was a video clip published on the 'po_faktu_ua' Instagram page, where a man demonstrates how using an ordinary candle, a kitchen sink, and a metal oven rack, one can create an improvised heat source for a frying pan. The footage shows a red candle burning in the sink, with a frying pan holding a frying egg placed above it on a wire rack. The author of the video leans toward the camera and explains the working principle of the structure, emphasizing its complete availability: there is no need to buy a gas burner, portable stove, or other specialized devices.

### How the Candle 'Stove' Works

The structure demonstrated by the video's author consists of several simple elements typically found in any kitchen. The sink itself serves as the base — the heat source is placed right inside it. A metal rack removed from the oven is used as a support for the cookware; it is laid across the sink so that the frying pan is at a safe height from the flame. An ordinary wax candle set at the bottom of the sink acts as the heat source. Additional items are visible nearby on the countertop — aluminum foil, tape, and a plastic lid, which are apparently used for fixation or protection of surrounding surfaces. The whole idea attracts attention primarily due to its simplicity and zero cost: not a single component needs to be bought separately, everything is at hand. This is precisely what makes the video viral — viewers see that even during a complete blackout, they can cook at least an egg without leaving the kitchen.

### Why Rescuers Strongly Discourage Repeating the Experiment

Despite its seeming harmlessness, fire safety specialists point out a number of serious risks associated with such a structure. First, the combination of an open flame with plastic parts (in this case, elements of the sink or accessories) creates a real fire hazard: under the influence of high temperature, plastic deforms, melts, and can become a source of toxic smoke. Second, the metal oven rack is not designed to act as a load-bearing structure for a heavy hot frying pan — it can bend, tip over, and hot oil or grease will scatter across the kitchen, causing burns. Third, the hot frying pan itself, installed on an unstable support, poses a danger to children and pets who might accidentally touch it. Specialists emphasize that in conditions of stress and haste characteristic of a blackout, the probability of careless handling of open fire increases manifold.

### Official SES Recommendations: What to Do Instead of a Candle

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) has issued a separate warning explicitly stating that lit candles must not be left unattended even for a minute. They should be placed exclusively on a sturdy, flat, and non-combustible surface, away from curtains, paper, textiles, and any other flammable materials. Rescuers also warn against using any open fire in rooms with insufficient ventilation — this increases the risk of poisoning by combustion products and local overheating. For cooking during power outages, the SES recommends using serviceable certified devices specifically designed for these purposes: tourist gas burners, desktop gas stoves, portable gasoline or diesel heaters with a cooking function. The key condition is compliance with the manufacturer's instructions: do not leave a working device unattended, ensure proper ventilation (if permitted by the manufacturer for indoor use), and regularly check the condition of gas connections.

### Alternative Ways to Cook Food Without Electricity and Gas

Experts and specialized publications remind us that Ukrainians facing simultaneous electricity and gas cutoffs have several proven alternatives. Portable gas burners with a cylinder are the most common and safest option: they are compact, do not take up much space, and allow boiling water and preparing a full meal. When purchasing such a device, it is important to stock up on extra fuel and store cylinders in accordance with regulations. Electric multicookers and air fryers are suitable in case of gas-only outages while electricity remains. In emergency situations when neither is available and a certified gas burner is out of reach, using alcohol stoves or solid fuel stoves is permissible — but strictly outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. In all cases, the main rule emphasized by rescuers is: do not improvise with open fire in a confined space and do not use items not intended for heating food for cooking.

The video with the 'candle stove' continues to gain views and comments on Ukrainian social networks, reflecting the real need of the population for simple and accessible solutions to survive regular blackouts. However, as specialists emphasize, saving on safety in matters involving open fire and hot surfaces can turn into a tragedy. A rational approach is to purchase a certified portable cooking device in advance, study the instructions, and carry out a 'trial run' in safe conditions so that at the moment of a real power outage, you can act confidently and without panic.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Как приготовить еду во время блекаута: в Сети показали самодельную "плиту" из свечи](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/useful/k-prigotuvati-yizhu-pid-chas-blekautu-merezhi-1794667227.html) - Primary source: description of the design, SES recommendations, context of outages. All facts in the article correspond to the text.
- [Как готовить еду без газа: проверенные способы для дома](https://www.unian.net/curiosities/kak-prigotovit-edu-esli-net-gaza-chto-delat-v-avariynoy-situacii-13162539.html) - Confirms the context of simultaneous electricity and gas outages, mentions portable gas burners as a safe alternative.

## FAQ

### What is actually shown in the viral video with the candle 'stove'?

A man demonstrates a setup: a candle is placed in the kitchen sink, a metal oven rack is laid on top, and a frying pan with an egg rests on it. The heat source is the open flame of the candle.

### Why does the SES not recommend using a candle for cooking?

Rescuers point out the risk of fire due to the combination of open flame with plastic elements, the danger of tipping over an unstable support, burns from the hot frying pan, and plastic deformation under temperature.

### What does the SES recommend for cooking during a blackout?

Certified portable gas burners and tabletop gas stoves, the use of which must be accompanied by adherence to manufacturer instructions and provision of ventilation.

### Can a candle be used for cooking outdoors?

The material does not grant direct permission to use a candle for outdoor cooking. The SES recommends certified devices. Any use of open fire requires adherence to safety rules and ventilation.