Jessie Taylor
Making candles from crayons is a fun project, but it's important to note that crayons were not designed to be burned, and there may be safety and health concerns associated with doing so. If you wish to proceed, you will need to add extra candle wax to your crayon wax to make a usable candle that will burn well. You can melt the wax and crayons in a double boiler over medium heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals. Once the wax is melted, you can pour it into a mould with a wick and allow it to set.
How to Melt Crayons for a Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crayon Type | Crayons with spots of other colors, dull crayons, or extra crayons |
| Wrapper Removal | Soak crayons in ice water for 5 minutes, then snap and peel, use a knife to slide under wrapper, or cut with a craft blade |
| Crayon Preparation | Grate or break crayons into small pieces |
| Wax Type | Candle wax in flake, pellet, or block form |
| Wax Preparation | Cut wax into small pieces and mix with crayon pieces |
| Melting Method | Double boiler over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals |
| Container Preparation | Place wick in center of container and secure with hot wax, super glue, tape, or cardboard and skewer |
| Pouring Method | Pour melted wax/crayon mixture into container, adding fragrance if desired |
| Cooling Process | Allow candle to cool and harden for several hours before trimming wick to 1/4 inch |
| Safety | Exercise caution when handling hot wax and lighting candle |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare crayons: Peel wrappers, break into small pieces, and grate
Preparing crayons for melting is a simple process, but it requires careful attention to detail. First, peel the wrappers off the crayons. There are a few ways to do this: you can soak the crayons in water for about 5 to 10 minutes to help the wrappers slide off, or you can use a knife to gently slide the wrapper off. If the crayon is particularly stubborn, you can cut the wrapper off with a craft blade.
Next, break the crayons into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to melt them. You can grate the crayons to speed up the melting process even more. Be careful to keep the colours separate if you're planning on making a striped candle.
If you're struggling to break the crayons apart, try placing them in the freezer for a few hours to make them more brittle. You can also try heating them gently in the oven at a low temperature, such as 250 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft enough to break.
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Prepare candle wax: Melt in a double boiler or microwave
Candle wax can be melted in a double boiler or a microwave. If you are using a double boiler, fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and place a heat-safe measuring cup inside the pot. For a microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl.
Before melting the wax, prepare your crayons by peeling off and recycling any paper wrappings. Chop or grate the crayons into the smallest pieces possible. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will melt. If you are making a striped candle, keep the colours separate.
Place the crayons and wax into your chosen heat-safe container. If you are using a microwave, heat the wax for one minute, give it a stir, and then continue to heat in 30-second intervals until the wax is completely melted. For a double boiler, heat the wax over medium heat, stirring often to ensure the wax and crayon melt evenly.
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Prepare wicks: Centre and secure with tape, glue, or cardboard
Preparing the wick is a crucial step in making crayon candles. It ensures the candle burns evenly and safely. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare wicks and secure them in place:
Centre the Wick:
Place the wick in the centre of your chosen candle holder or mould. This step is important as it ensures the candle burns evenly and the wick doesn't shift to one side. If using a tabbed wick, you can simply place it in the middle of the glass candle holder. If using a plain wick, carefully position it in the centre, holding it straight and secure.
Secure the Wick:
There are several methods to secure the wick in place:
- Tape: Use a piece of tape, preferably strong adhesive tape, to hold the wick in place. Secure the tape across the top of the candle holder or mould, sandwiching the wick between the tape and the container.
- Glue: A small amount of super glue or hot wax can be used to secure the wick. Apply a drop to the base of the wick and press it gently into the centre of the candle holder. Super glue provides a strong hold, while hot wax can be a more accessible option.
- Cardboard: Cut a small piece of cardboard to fit your candle holder. Make a small slit in the cardboard and insert the wick, then place the cardboard at the bottom of the holder to keep the wick centred.
- Double-sided tape: This method is similar to regular tape but provides a stronger hold. Place a piece of double-sided tape across the top of the candle holder, securing the wick in place.
It is important to ensure the wick is secure and centred before pouring the melted crayon wax to ensure an even burn and to avoid any safety hazards.
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Combine and melt crayons and wax: Stir frequently
To make crayon candles, you'll need to combine crayons with candle wax. The wax will help your candle burn better and ensure it doesn't shrink too much. You can use a double boiler or a microwave to melt the wax and crayons.
If you're using a double boiler, fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and place a heat-safe measuring cup inside. Add your wax and crayons to the cup, and heat over medium heat. Stir the mixture often to help it melt more evenly.
If you're using a microwave, grate the crayons and wax into the smallest pieces possible and combine them in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
You can also add a small spoonful of coconut oil to your mixture to help the wax and crayons melt more smoothly.
Once your wax and crayons are fully melted, you can add a few drops of candle fragrance or essential oil. Be sure to stir the mixture well to blend everything together.
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Pour mixture into a mould: Let it set for several hours
When making candles from crayons, it's important to remember that crayons were not designed to be used as candle pigment or dye. As such, they may not burn well and may not be safe to inhale. However, if you want to make candles from crayons, you can do so by following these steps:
Firstly, prepare your mould or container. You can use a glass, an ice cube mould, or a jelly jar, as these are manufactured to endure high heat. Place a wick in the centre of your mould and secure it with a drop of hot wax, super glue, or a piece of double-sided tape. You can also use a tabbed wick, which may be self-adhesive. To keep the wick straight, lay two sticks, such as pencils or popsicle sticks, across the mouth of the mould, sandwiching the wick between them.
Next, melt your crayons. Peel off and recycle any paper wrappings on your crayons. Chop or grate the crayons into the smallest pieces possible. You can melt the crayons in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. If using a microwave, heat one cup of crayon pieces at a time and stay close to the microwave. You will also need to add candle wax to your crayon wax, as candles made from pure crayon may not burn well. The wax will \"shrink\" when you melt it, so you will need extra. You can also add a few drops of candle fragrance or essential oil to the melted wax. Stir the wax well to blend everything together.
Now, carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared mould, adding any fragrance if desired. If you plan on making a layered candle, don't fill the mould all the way and let each layer set before adding a new one. This will take about 20 to 30 minutes for each layer. You can speed up the process by placing the mould in the fridge or freezer.
Finally, let the candle set completely before using it. This will take several hours. Once set, trim the wick down to 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) above the candle's surface.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the paper wrapping from the crayons by soaking them in water for 10 minutes or cutting it off with a craft blade. Then, grate the crayons into the smallest possible flakes or pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will melt.
There are a few ways to melt crayons. One way is to use a double boiler over medium heat. Another way is to melt them in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
You can use a glass or an ice cube mold. Jelly jars are also a good option as they are manufactured to endure high heat.
Place a wick in the centre of your container and secure it with a drop of hot wax, super glue, or tape. You can also use a self-adhesive wick. Lay two sticks, such as pencils or popsicle sticks, across the top of the container to hold the wick steady.
You can add a few drops of candle fragrance or essential oil to your melted wax. You can also add coconut oil to make the candle burn slower.
