Tyler Brooks
Candles are a great way to set the mood or add a pleasant fragrance to a room. But what do you do when your favourite candle has burned down and can't be relit? Instead of throwing it away, you can melt the wax and use it to make new candles. There are several ways to melt candle wax, including using a double boiler, the oven, or the microwave. You can also melt the wax in hot water or use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt a small layer of wax. Once the wax is melted, you can pour it into moulds to create new candles or wax melts.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First burn duration | 1-2 hours or 1 hour per inch of diameter |
| Subsequent burn duration | A few hours |
| Oven temperature | Lowest setting |
| Wax melting temperature | 46-82°C depending on type of wax |
| Wax melter temperature | Depends on type of wax |
| Double boiler | Two pans or a bowl and a pan |
| Microwave | 4-6 minutes, 1-2 minute intervals |
| Flash point | 30-50°F below temperature wax will ignite |
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What You'll Learn
Using a double boiler
A double boiler is a two-pot setup where a larger base pot contains simmering water, and a smaller pot fits inside it to melt wax gradually. This method is useful for creating candles with items in your kitchen without spending a lot of money on equipment or supplies.
To set up a double boiler, you will need a heat source, a pot of boiling water, and a pitcher or measuring glass that will sit inside the pot. Firstly, fill your large pot with about 1-2 inches of water. Place your heat-safe container on top of the pot, ensuring it rests comfortably without touching the water. Next, pour your candle wax into the container. You can use any type of wax, such as soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax, but note that each type of wax melts at a different temperature, so it is essential to know the correct temperature for your specific wax. You can also add dye to your wax to colour your candles; simply add 3-5 drops of liquid dye, ensuring that the dye is oil-soluble.
Once the wax begins to melt, occasionally stir the unmelted components with a wooden or heat-safe spatula to encourage even melting. Do not stir aggressively, as this can introduce air into the blend, affecting the final candle quality. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer, and remove the pitcher or measuring glass from the water once the blend reaches 185°F–190°F (85°C–88°C). Before taking any temperature measurements, stir the blend briefly to ensure an even distribution of heat. While removing the pitcher from the heat, you can carefully wipe the water off the bottom, but it is not harmful to leave it there. Place the pitcher on a heat-resistant surface, such as a trivet.
At this stage, you can add your fragrance oil to the blend. Stir the blend for about two minutes to ensure the oil is well-dispersed. Then, pour your wax blend into the container at a steady rate, being careful not to introduce too much air into the blend. If you are pouring more than one candle, pour about 75% of the wax into each container and then top them off in the same order.
It is important to note that melting wax can be temperamental, and even slight overheating can affect the quality of your candles. Always keep the water in your double boiler at a gentle simmer, never at a rolling boil, and ensure proper ventilation when melting wax to avoid inhaling any fumes. Additionally, stay near your double boiler at all times to avoid overheating or other accidents.
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Melting in the microwave
Melting candle wax in the microwave is a popular method, but it should be approached with caution. The container that the candle came in may not be microwave-safe, so it is important to transfer the wax to a microwave-safe container before melting. These containers are usually made of glass or ceramic and should have a "microwave-safe" or "heatproof" label on them.
To melt the wax, first break the candle up into small pieces. Put the pieces into the microwave-safe container and place the container in the microwave. Heat the wax for one minute at a time, monitoring the temperature until it reaches 80°C. Do not let the wax exceed 80°C. Continue heating in two-minute intervals until the wax is fully melted.
Once the wax has reached 80°C, remove the container from the microwave and place it on a safe, even, covered surface. Use a thermometer to ensure the wax is 70°C before adding colour and fragrance oil. If you are planning to add colour, we recommend adding 0.2% at 70°C.
It is important to be aware of the flashpoint of the wax, which is the temperature at which it will catch fire. The flashpoint will be listed on the original packaging of the candle. Make sure the wax is at least 30 to 50°F (-1 to 10°C) cooler than its flashpoint.
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Oven method
The oven method is one of the most effective and safe ways to melt a candle in a glass jar. This method allows the wax to melt slowly and evenly without overheating the glass.
First, find the melting point of your wax. The melting point should be detailed on the side of the candle container or packaging. Make sure you use the melting point and not the flash point of the wax. The flash point is the temperature at which the wax will ignite. Your wax should always be at least 30–50 °F (−1–10 °C) below its flash point. Preheat your oven to the melting point of your wax, ideally between 150°F and 170°F (65°C to 75°C). Higher temperatures may cause the glass to crack.
Next, prepare your jar. Place your glass jar on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil to catch any wax that might overflow. Put the tray in the oven and allow the wax to melt for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the wax has melted, carefully remove the jar from the oven using oven mitts. The jar will be hot, so handle it with care.
Now you can reuse or repurpose the wax. You can pour the melted wax into a mould or another container for reuse. You can also make your own votives by dipping wicking and a tab into the melted wax to coat them, then pressing the tab to the bottom of a holder and pouring the wax into the holder.
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Using a heat gun
Heat guns are a versatile tool for candle-making, and can be used for anything from fixing bumpy tops to cleaning your supplies. They are also handy when candles need re-melting, or when you want to create tie-dye candles.
The temperature for heat guns ranges from 120 °F to over 1,000 °F, but chandlers rarely need anything much higher than 150 °F. The average melt point of soy wax is 124 °F, so heat guns are more than sufficient to melt wax quickly and easily.
If your candle has bumps or divots on the top, simply hold the heat gun about 6 inches away from the surface of the candle and wave it back and forth until the wax is melted and smooth. You can also use a wick dipper or toothpick to gently move any unmelted wax stuck to the sides of your container.
Another use for the heat gun is preheating your candle jars before pouring in the wax. This will help to avoid any cracking or shattering that can occur when hot wax is poured into a cold jar. It will also help to avoid wet spots and adhesion issues.
Heat guns can also be used to clean your candle-making supplies. If you have any dirty moulds or wicks, simply hold the heat gun over them and the dirty wax will melt away, leaving you to simply wipe it up with some kitchen roll.
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Wax melters
For those who enjoy making their own candles, a wax melter is an essential tool that can streamline the production process. It is important to note that the melting time can be reduced by cutting the wax slab into smaller chunks. The melted wax can then be poured into moulds to create homemade candles or wax melts.
There are several ways to melt candle wax, including using a double boiler, a microwave, or an oven. The double boiler method involves using steam as a heat source by placing a smaller pan or bowl containing the wax over a larger pan of hot water. The microwave method is faster, but it is important to use a microwave-safe container and not to exceed a temperature of 80°C.
Another way to melt wax is by using an oven. This method requires preheating the oven to its lowest setting and placing the jar inside, ensuring that any labels or stickers are removed first. However, it is important to note that this method is not suitable for jarred candles as the metal discs attaching the wick to the holder can be damaged.
Leftover wax can also be removed from the jar and placed in a wax melter to create homemade wax melts. This allows for the creation of unique combinations of scents and the addition of essential oils or decorative elements such as pressed flowers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to melt a candle completely. One way is to use a double boiler, which involves placing a heat-resistant bowl or pot over a pan of water. This method ensures that the wax melts evenly without coming into direct contact with the heat source. Another way is to use a microwave, but this should be done with caution as the container may not be microwave-safe. You can also melt a candle in the oven, but this is not recommended for jarred candles.
The double boiler method involves using steam as a heat source to melt the wax. To do this, fill a large pan with water and place it on a heat source. Then, put your wax in a smaller pan, glass bowl, or pouring jug, and place it inside the larger pan. Heat the water until the wax melts.
To melt candle wax in the microwave, first crumble the wax into a microwave-safe container. Then, heat the wax in the microwave in short intervals until it reaches the desired temperature. Make sure to monitor the temperature to ensure it does not exceed the flashpoint of the wax, which is the temperature at which it will catch fire.
To melt candle wax in the oven, preheat the oven to its lowest setting and place the jar inside, ensuring that any labels or stickers have been removed. Once the wax is melted, scoop it out and reuse it if desired.
To prevent a hole from forming in your candle, it is important to ensure that the top layer of wax melts evenly to the edge of the candle during the first burn. The general rule is to burn the candle for one hour per inch of diameter, but pillar candles may need to burn for longer.
