Brooke Martin
Beeswax candles are a natural, non-toxic alternative to store-bought candles, which are often made with paraffin wax. They are long-lasting, burn cleaner, and are smoke-free. Making your own beeswax candles is a fun and rewarding project. The first step in making beeswax candles is melting the beeswax. This can be done by using a double boiler or a glass jar and pot. Beeswax melts at between 110-200 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep a close eye on it to prevent overheating. Once melted, you can add essential oils for fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax Melting Method | Double boiler |
| Wax Melting Temperature | 110-200 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Wax Melting Time | Slow and even |
| Wax Type | Beeswax |
| Wax Colour | Natural yellow |
| Wick Type | Wood, 100% cotton |
| Wick Size | Smaller for faster melting candles |
| Container Type | Glass, metal, ceramic |
| Additives | Coconut oil, essential oils |
| Curing Time | 1-2 days to 1 week |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your candle jars
Preparing your candle jars is a crucial step in the candle-making process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your candle jars effectively:
Choose the Right Container
First, select an appropriate container for your candle. You can use glass, metal, or ceramic jars, as long as they can withstand the hot wax and a light flame. Ensure the jar is clean and dry before proceeding to the next steps.
Prepare the Wick:
Place a wick sticker at the bottom of your wick, and then position the wick in the centre of your jar. You can use a wood wick or a cotton wick, ensuring it is not treated with harsh chemicals. Wrap the wick around a skewer and lay it across the top of the jar to keep the wick upright and centred. You can use tape to secure the skewer in place temporarily.
Melt the Wax:
While your wick is in place, it's time to melt the beeswax. Beeswax melts between 110-200 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a double boiler or a glass jar and pot method. For the double boiler, use a pot with simmering water and a heat-resistant bowl placed on top. Alternatively, fill a large pot with enough water to cover the height of the beeswax without spilling when boiling. Place your jar into the pot and heat the water to a gentle boil, stirring the wax occasionally to ensure even melting. Always monitor the wax closely, as it is flammable, and watch for signs of overheating, such as smoking.
Add Coconut Oil (Optional):
Once the beeswax is completely melted, turn off the heat. At this point, you can add coconut oil to the melted wax, stirring to combine. Adding coconut oil helps the candle burn more consistently and prevents tunnelling. However, you can omit this step if you prefer to make a 100% beeswax candle.
Pour and Cool:
Carefully pour the melted wax and coconut oil mixture (if used) into your prepared candle jars. Allow the wax to cool completely and solidify before proceeding to the final steps.
Trim the Wick:
Once the wax has set for 1-2 days, trim the wicks to 1/2" long. Now your candles are almost ready to use! You can add essential oils or decorations if desired, but be sure to let the wax cure for a week before burning to ensure optimal performance.
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Melt the beeswax
The first step in making beeswax candles is melting the beeswax itself. This can be done in a few different ways, each requiring different tools and levels of caution.
The preferred method for melting beeswax is the double boiler method. This involves using a pot with simmering water and a heat-resistant bowl placed on top. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the height of the beeswax, then place a glass bowl containing the beeswax on top of the pot. Heat the water until it reaches a gentle boil, and allow the heat to melt the beeswax. Stir the beeswax with a wooden skewer every few minutes to ensure it melts evenly.
Alternatively, you can use a glass jar and an old pot, or a single pot, filled with water, and place your jar of beeswax inside. Heat the water until it reaches a gentle boil, and let the heat from the water melt the beeswax.
Beeswax melts between 110-200 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to monitor the melting process to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. Beeswax is flammable, so keep an eye on it while it's melting, and watch for signs of the wax getting too hot, such as smoking.
Another method is to use a microwave, but this is not recommended due to the potential for mess and danger if the wax is heated too much or too quickly. If using a microwave, only melt small amounts of wax at a time, heating in 30-second intervals and closely monitoring the process.
Once the beeswax is melted, you can add essential oils for fragrance or carrier oils for salves, depending on your desired outcome. Stir the mixture to combine the ingredients.
At this stage, you can also prepare your candle jars by adding a wick sticker to the bottom of your wick and placing it in the centre of your jar. You can use a wood wick or a 100% cotton wick, and keep it in place with a pencil or clothespin while the wax cools.
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Add coconut oil
Adding coconut oil to beeswax candles is a great way to improve the quality of your candles. Coconut oil is a completely renewable, high-yield crop, making it a sustainable and efficient option for farming. It is also one of the cleanest candle waxes available, so adding it to your beeswax will not affect the sustainability or environmental impact of your candles.
Coconut oil can be used to prevent tunnelling in beeswax candles. Tunnelling occurs when only a narrow central part of the wax melts, causing the wick to "dig into" the centre of the candle and either go out prematurely or burn out without using all the wax. Coconut oil has a lower melting point than beeswax, softening the wax and lowering the melting point. This makes the candle easier to melt and pour, and the finished candle will burn more evenly.
Coconut oil also boosts fragrance in beeswax candles. It has a great ability to hold and throw fragrance, so when added to beeswax, it can give off more scent, more quickly. This is useful as beeswax is more difficult to scent than other commonly used waxes.
There are many different recommendations for the ratio of beeswax to coconut oil. Most hobby candle makers recommend a 50-50% mixing ratio, but it is a good idea to start with a little more beeswax to avoid the finished candles being too soft. Some sources suggest mixing one pound of beeswax with a teaspoon of coconut oil, while others say to mix half and half. The right ratio will depend on the quality of your beeswax and coconut oil, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from batch to batch, so you may need to experiment a little.
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Pour into containers
When you're ready to pour your melted beeswax into a container, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a container that can withstand the hot wax and a light flame. Glass, metal, and ceramic are all suitable options.
Before pouring, prepare your container by adding a wick sticker to the bottom of your wick and placing it in the centre of the container. You can use a wood wick or a 100% cotton wick for beeswax candles. Wrap the wick around a skewer and lay it across the top of the container to keep the wick upright, taping it in place if needed. Alternatively, use a hot glue gun to glue the wick to the bottom of the container and let it dry before pouring in the wax.
Once your wax is melted, turn off the heat and add coconut oil, stirring to combine. Adding coconut oil helps the candle burn more consistently and avoid tunnelling, but you can omit this step if you prefer a 100% beeswax candle.
Now, carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared container. If you're using a double boiler, make sure to turn off the heat first to avoid overheating the wax. Let the candle cool and solidify completely before use, which can take up to a week. Finally, trim the wick to 1/2" long, and your candle is ready to burn!
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Let the candles set
Once you've melted your beeswax and poured it into your chosen mould or container, it's time to let your candle set. This process is important as it ensures your candle will be solid and ready to burn. The length of time this will take depends on the size and depth of your candle, as well as the temperature of the wax when poured.
For smaller candles, you can expect the wax to set within a few hours. However, it's recommended to let your candles set for 1-2 days before use. This ensures the wax is completely solid and any potential issues, such as cracking or sinking, can be addressed. If you notice any imperfections after the initial setting period, you can remelt a small amount of wax and pour another thin layer to create a smooth finish.
During the setting process, it's important to keep the wick centred and upright. You can do this by wrapping the wick around a skewer or pencil and taping it in place. This will ensure the wick doesn't shift or become embedded in the wax as it solidifies.
If you're using a glass container, you may want to insulate it in a box to slow down the cooling process and improve the adhesion of the wax to the glass. This can help prevent lines or pulling away from the walls of the container.
Finally, once your candle has completely set, trim the wick to 1/2" long. Now your candle is ready to burn!
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to melt beeswax is to use a double boiler, which will melt the wax and keep the temperature from exceeding the boiling point. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the height of the beeswax. Place your jar into the pot and heat the water until it reaches a gentle boil. Allow the heat from the water to melt the beeswax, stirring occasionally with a wooden skewer to prevent overheating.
Wax melts between 110-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the wax does not smoke as this is a sign it is getting too hot.
You can use a glass bowl or jar placed on top of a pot of boiling water.
Add a wick sticker to the bottom of your wick and place it in the centre of the bottom of your jar. Wrap the wick around a skewer and lay it across the top of the jar to keep the wick upright. Tape the skewer in place if needed.
