Chloe Adams
Beeswax candles are made from honey, which bees collect from flowers and bring back to their hive. Beeswax candle-making involves melting the wax, adding a wick, and pouring the wax into a mould. The process is simple, but there are many ways to personalise your candle, such as adding essential oils, coconut oil, or shea butter to create unique scents and textures.
How Bees Make Beeswax
Bees collect nectar from flowers and bring it to the hive where it becomes either beeswax or honey. Beeswax is made from honey, as bees collect nectar and pollen to make honey to feed the hive. As they eat honey, their bodies make wax. Bees then chew this wax with a little more honey to build combs.
How Beeswax Candles are Made
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Beeswax pellets |
| Mould | Silicon mould |
| Wick | Cotton wicks |
| Temperature | Melt at 185°F, pour at 140-145°F |
| Scent | Essential oils, vanilla beans, cocoa butter, coconut oil |
| Colour | Candle dye |
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What You'll Learn
Beeswax candle-making supplies
Making candles out of beeswax is a simple process that requires only a few supplies. Here is a list of the supplies you will need to make your own beeswax candles at home:
Beeswax
Beeswax is the main ingredient in beeswax candles. It is a natural wax produced by honeybees and can be purchased in the form of blocks or pellets. The amount of beeswax you will need depends on the number of candles you want to make.
Wicks
Wicks are essential for candles, as they provide the flame. Cotton wicks are a popular choice for beeswax candles and can be purchased from local craft stores or online. Ensure you have enough wicks for each candle you plan to make.
Moulds
Moulds are used to shape the candles as the beeswax solidifies. You can use silicone moulds or reuse old containers such as jars, tin cans, or tea cups. If you are using a mould, select one that is suitable for the size and shape of candle you want to create.
Heat source
A heat source is required to melt the beeswax. This can be done using a double boiler, an oven, or a stove. If using a double boiler, ensure you have a pot or jar dedicated specifically for melting beeswax, as it can be difficult to clean.
Adhesive
An adhesive, such as hot glue, is useful for securing the wicks to the bottom of your moulds or containers. This helps to keep the wicks centred and upright while the beeswax solidifies.
Additional ingredients (optional)
You can add a variety of optional ingredients to your beeswax candles to enhance their appearance and scent:
- Coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter can be added to make the wax more manageable and reduce the likelihood of cracking in containers.
- Essential oils or fragrance oils designed for candle making can be added to introduce or enhance a particular scent.
- Candle dye can be added to colour your beeswax candles.
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Melting the wax
Beeswax can also be melted in an oven-safe dish in the oven at 350°F. If the wax begins to harden, it can be remelted using these methods. It is important to be cautious when handling melted wax, as it can cause burns.
Once the wax is melted, it can be combined with other ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter. These additives can lower the melting temperature of the wax, making it more manageable and less likely to crack in the jar. They can also enhance the scent of the candle.
Essential oils can be added to the melted wax to create a unique fragrance. However, it is important to use only candle-safe essential oils or fragrance oils designed for candle-making, as other additives may pose a fire hazard. The amount of essential oil added will depend on the desired strength of the scent, but candles will generally require a larger quantity of oil to achieve a stronger smell.
The colour of the wax can also be modified by adding candle dye. This is optional, but it can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the wax. It is recommended to add approximately 5% dye based on the total amount of wax and fragrance.
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Adding a wick
Firstly, purchase your wicks. Cotton wicks are a popular choice for beeswax candles and can be sourced from local craft stores or online retailers. It is important to select the appropriate size and type of wick for your specific candle dimensions and wax type.
Before adding the wick, you must prepare your mould or container. This could be a jar, tin can, tea cup, or a silicon mould. Ensure your chosen container is clean and dry. If using a mould, you may need to create a support system for the wick to keep it centred and straight. You can use cardboard, popsicle sticks, or skewers to prop up the wick and ensure it remains in the correct position.
Now, secure the wick to the bottom of your container or mould. A small amount of hot glue can be used for this purpose, applied directly to the centre of the container's base. Gently place the wick onto the glue, ensuring it is centred and held taut.
If using a mould, you may want to wrap the excess wick around a skewer laid across the top of the mould to keep it taught and centred. This will help guide the wick as you pour in the melted beeswax.
Once the wick is secured and centred, you are ready to pour in the melted beeswax. Handle the beeswax with care, maintaining the ideal temperature range of 80°C to 140-145°C.
After pouring in the beeswax, allow it to cool and solidify completely before trimming the wick. You may need to wait a week or two for the beeswax to fully cure. Then, simply trim the wick to the desired length, and your beeswax candle is ready for lighting!
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Pouring the wax
Now for the fun part: pouring the wax! This is where your hard work pays off, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the process goes smoothly. Firstly, beeswax takes a while to set, so don't be tempted to light your candle too soon. It's best to let it cure for at least a week before lighting it up.
When melting the wax, aim for a temperature of around 80°C (176°F). You can use a double boiler or a similar setup to achieve this. Avoid direct heat, as beeswax doesn't require extremely high temperatures to melt. Plus, you don't want to risk overheating and potentially causing a fire hazard.
Once your wax is melted, you can add essential oils or fragrance oils designed for candle-making if you want to enhance the scent. Just make sure to use the recommended amount to ensure it's safe to burn. Keep in mind that beeswax has its own delightful aroma, so your candle will smell wonderful even without added fragrances.
Now, it's time to pour the wax into your chosen moulds or containers. Glass jars, old tins, or tea cups can all make excellent candle holders. Just make sure your containers are clean and completely dry to ensure the best results. If you're using glass jars, washing them with very hot water and drying them just before pouring can help warm the containers.
As you pour, maintain the wick's position in the centre of the mould or container. You can use popsicle sticks and cardboard or skewers to help keep the wick straight and centred.
Finally, let your candles cool and solidify. Once they're solid, you can remove them from the moulds and trim the wicks. Side-cutters can be useful for getting a nice, close trim at the base, ensuring your candle stands sturdy and wobble-free.
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Adding scents and colours
Beeswax candles have a delightful natural aroma, but you can add your own scents and colours to create unique varieties. Play around with different essential oils to find your favourite combinations. You can add essential oils like eucalyptus or lavender, but the natural honey scent of the beeswax will alter the cold and hot throws, so be prepared for some testing. You can also add a small amount of coconut oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter to your melted wax to make the candle burn at a slightly lower temperature and reduce the risk of cracking in the jar.
If you want to add colour to your beeswax candles, you can add approximately 5% candle dye based on the combined amount of wax and fragrance. The natural colour of beeswax in a honeycomb is white, but it darkens with age and use, ranging from yellow to orange, red, and even brownish-black. Reputable manufacturers no longer bleach their beeswax, as this results in the inclusion of toxic compounds.
To add scent to your beeswax candles, you'll need to use a significant amount of essential oil to achieve a stronger smell. You can also experiment with different combinations of essential oils to create unique fragrances. However, don't expect your beeswax candles to smell as strong as artificial candles. If your beeswax hardens during the process, simply remelt it over a double boiler or in an oven-safe dish in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
When adding scent to your beeswax candles, make sure to look up the recommended amount of essential oil to ensure it's safe to burn. You can also add a small amount of coconut oil to help the wax hold the scent and create a smooth top. Some people also add vanilla beans to vodka for a delicious aroma. Remember, beeswax has a unique burning temperature, so be cautious when adding herbs or other materials that are not specifically designed for candle-making.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need beeswax, a mould, a wick, a double boiler, and a method to support the wick, such as popsicle sticks and cardboard. You can also add essential oils for fragrance and coconut oil to make the wax more manageable.
First, melt the beeswax over a double boiler at around 80°C. Secure the wick to the bottom of the mould, ensuring it is centred and supported. Once the wax is melted, add any fragrance and/or coconut oil, then pour it into the mould. Allow the wax to cool and solidify, then remove it from the mould and trim the wick.
It is best to wait a week or two before using your candle to allow it to cure.
Beeswax is a natural by-product of honey production and has a pleasant aroma. It burns cleaner than paraffin wax, which is made from crude oil.
