Chloe Adams
Beeswax candles are a great natural alternative to traditional candles, but they do require some extra care to ensure they burn effectively and safely. Beeswax candles can be prone to cracking, melting too quickly, or drowning out the flame. This guide will cover the most common issues with beeswax candles and provide solutions to ensure your candle burns cleanly and safely.
How to fix a beeswax candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting wax | Fill a large pot with water to cover the height of the beeswax, heat the water to a gentle boil, and place the jar in the pot. Stir with a wooden skewer and keep an eye on it as beeswax is flammable. |
| Preparing jars | Add a wick sticker to the bottom of the wick and place it in the centre of the jar. Wrap the wick around a skewer and lay it across the top of the jar to keep it upright. |
| Adding oil | After melting the wax, add coconut oil to help the candle burn more consistently and avoid tunnelling. |
| Pouring wax | Pour the wax and oil mixture into the containers and let them set for 1-2 days. Trim the wicks to 1/2" long. |
| Troubleshooting | If the candle melts too fast, try using a smaller wick. If the candle cracks, reserve some wax/oil to remelt and pour another layer once cooled. |
| Burning | Keep the candle away from drafts and vents. Ensure the candleholder is heat-resistant and stable. Keep the wax pool free of debris. Trim wicks to 1/4" before burning and straighten the wick after extinguishing. |
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What You'll Learn
Preventing cracks in beeswax candles
Beeswax candles are a great, non-toxic option for your home, but they can be prone to cracking. This is due to the natural shrinking of beeswax as it cools. While cracks are not a flaw and will not impact the performance of the candle, there are several ways to prevent them from forming.
Firstly, it is important to cool your candle gradually. Place the candle in a warm area of your house and let it cool slowly. This will help to prevent the formation of cracks as the wax hardens.
Another way to prevent cracks is to experiment with different beeswax-to-coconut-oil ratios. Some candle makers suggest a ratio of 60/40 or 50/50 beeswax to coconut oil to prevent cracking. Coconut oil helps the candle burn more evenly and gives the wax a silky appearance.
In addition, it is important to match the correct wick size to your candle. Beeswax candles require a hefty wick. Test burning your candle before making more can help you determine if the wick is the correct size. Taking notes on wick size, pour temperatures, and candle test burn performance can also help prevent cracks.
Finally, ageing your candles for a few days before burning can help prevent cracks. This allows the candle to harden gradually and reduces the likelihood of cracks forming during the initial burn.
By following these tips, you can help prevent cracks in your beeswax candles and enjoy their natural beauty and pleasant honey scent.
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How to fix a cracked beeswax candle
Beeswax candles are a great, natural, sustainable, and non-toxic option for your home. However, they can sometimes crack, especially if they are cooled too quickly. If your candle has cracked, there are several things you can try to fix it.
Firstly, it is important to remember that beeswax shrinks as it cools, and if cooled too quickly, larger candles will form cracks as the wax pool hardens. This is not a flaw, but simply a reality of burning beeswax. To avoid cracks, try to cool your candle gradually in a warm area of your home. Maintaining a steady temperature in the room is necessary to keep your candles at room temperature.
If your candle has already cracked, don't despair! It is unlikely to impact the performance of the candle, and the crack will almost always fill in again when the candle is next lit. If the crack is particularly deep, you can try tilting the candle sideways after relighting, to melt some wax from around the crack and fill it up.
You can also try re-melting the surface of the candle with a heat gun to smoothen the surface and fill in the cracks. If you have some wax left over from when you first made the candle, you can re-melt this and pour another thin layer over the crack once the candle has cooled.
To prevent cracks in the future, you can try coating the container or mold with coconut oil or another natural oil. This prevents beeswax from sticking to the sides and causing cracks.
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Troubleshooting a melting beeswax candle
Beeswax candles are a great, non-toxic option for your home, but they can sometimes be a little tricky to work with. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter with your melting beeswax candle:
- If your candle is melting too quickly and the flame is being drowned out by the wax, try using a smaller wick. A smaller wick will burn more slowly and evenly, and should keep the flame lit.
- Beeswax candles need a hefty wick. Test burn your candle with a wick to ensure it's the correct size. Take notes on wick size, pour temperatures, and candle burn performance to help you troubleshoot.
- If your candle is cracking, this is likely due to the beeswax cooling and shrinking too quickly. To avoid this, cool your candle gradually in a warm area of your home. Maintain a steady temperature in the room to keep your candle at room temperature.
- If your candle has already cracked, don't worry! This is unlikely to impact its performance. You can try to fill in the crack by tilting the candle sideways after relighting, allowing the wax to melt and fill the crack.
- To prevent cracks, coat your candle container or mould with coconut oil or another natural oil. This prevents the beeswax from sticking to the sides and causing cracks.
- Always use a thermometer when making homemade candles, and pour the wax slowly and steadily to prevent air bubbles from forming.
- Keep your candles away from anything flammable, and always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. Place the candleholder on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Keep the wick trimmed to 1/4" or less to prevent soot, and straighten the wick after extinguishing to ensure even burning.
- To extinguish the candle, push the wick into the wax pool to prevent afterglow and smoke.
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How to extinguish a beeswax candle
When extinguishing a beeswax candle, it is important to avoid blowing it out. Blowing out a candle can cause liquid wax to spatter, and debris may be introduced to the wax. Instead, use a wick dipper or a metal tool to push the wick into the wax pool. This will prevent afterglow and smoke. Alternatively, extinguish the candle with a candle snuffer.
Before extinguishing the candle, ensure that the wick is no longer than 1/4" to prevent soot. If the wick is longer than this, trim it and straighten it with a metal tool.
If you are extinguishing a votive candle, always burn it in a heat-resistant holder that is slightly larger in diameter than the votive itself. Before adding the votive to the holder, pour in a few drops of water to cover the bottom of the container, which will make cleanup easier.
Beeswax candles should never be left unattended while burning. Always make sure all candles are completely extinguished before leaving the room.
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How to prepare jars for beeswax candles
Preparing jars for beeswax candles is a simple and sustainable practice. It involves a few steps to ensure the best results for your homemade candles.
Firstly, select the right jars for your candles. You can repurpose glass jars from yogurt, beauty products, or even baby food, as long as they are heat-safe. It is important to ensure that the jars are clean and free of any residue. Check if the jars are oven-safe or microwave-safe to confirm their heat resistance.
Next, prepare the wicks for your jars. Cut the wicks to the appropriate length, ensuring they are a couple of inches longer than the final desired length. Place a wick sticker at the bottom of each wick, and then position the wick in the centre of the jar, securing it with hot glue if needed. You can also use a wooden skewer to wrap the wick around and lay it across the top of the jar to keep the wick upright. Tape the skewer in place if necessary.
Once your jars and wicks are prepared, you can move on to melting the beeswax and pouring it into the jars. This involves using a double boiler system or a large pot of water to melt the beeswax gently. Always be cautious when handling hot wax and glass, and ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling any fumes.
After pouring the wax, let it cool and harden undisturbed for several hours or a couple of days. During this time, you can decorate the jars with pressed flowers or other embellishments. Finally, trim the wicks to the appropriate length, usually just above the surface of the wax, and your beeswax candles in jars will be ready to light and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Beeswax candles crack due to the rapid cooling of the wax. To prevent this, allow your candle to cool down gradually in a warm area of your house. Avoid using a freezer to cool the candle, as it will become brittle and break.
You can reserve some wax/oil to remelt and pour another thin layer over the candle once it has cooled to give it a smooth finish. Alternatively, you can use a heat gun to melt the surface and fill in the cracks.
Try using a smaller wick.
