Recommendations for an economical candler, please!

[Melissa F]

Can anyone recommend a candler that works well, especially on blue and dark eggs, for under $25? I mostly want one because my 11 year old son is really into incubating eggs, and just loves when we candle them. We use our own eggs, and they are mostly just a farmyard variety, so it's not like I really have any stake in my hatch rate...I just want something that I can use with my son to enjoy seeing the growth process inside the egg. We have been using a small, led flashlight, and it works ok, but I know he would just be amazed if we could see into the egg better. Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Have you done a thread search for "how to make an egg candler?" That should turn up plenty of ideas that can be made for little to no cost. And, you'll have the pleasure of an other DIY project that you can do with your son. I'm thinking that something as simple as a tin can or a Pringles can with a hole cut in it. Cover the lid with a piece of black felt, with a hole big enough to shine the light through. Set the can over alight bulb in a lamp, occluding any light from leaking out through the bottom. A 7W CFL bulb should provide plenty of heat without being too warm.

 

[Sandolfthered]

We just used a small led flashlight but sized an empty toilet paper roll over the end so that the light is directed fully into the egg. Works like a charm!