Ben Carter
There are several ways to melt down small candles and create a new one. This process is cost-effective, easy, and customizable. It involves melting the wax from the small candles and pouring it into a new container with a wick. The wax can be melted using a variety of methods, such as a double boiler, oven, or candle warmer. It can then be poured into a container of choice, such as a vintage teacup or a mason jar, and allowed to cool and harden. This creates a new candle with a unique scent and appearance, making it a great gift idea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax collection | Remove leftover wax from old candles using a knife or spoon. |
| Wax melting | Place wax bits in a can or pot, and submerge in barely boiling water. |
| Container preparation | Prepare a new container with a wick, centred and secured with a pencil/toothpick/stick. |
| Wax pouring | Pour melted wax into the new container, stopping about 0.5 inches from the rim. |
| Cooling | Allow the wax to cool and harden, which can take 30 minutes to a few hours. |
| Customisation | Customise with different containers, mix scents, or add herbs and spices. |
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What You'll Learn
Remove wax from old candles
To remove wax from old candles, you can use a knife or spoon to scrape out the leftover wax. Some people find it easier to place the candle in the freezer first, so the wax hardens and can be more easily pried out. If your candle has melted into a fragile candlestick, try putting it in the freezer for several hours before gently removing the wax with a gentle implement, like a chopstick.
Alternatively, you can melt the wax and pour it out. To do this, place the candle in a small pot, inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer, and the wax will melt. You can then pour the liquid wax into a container of your choice. If you are planning to reuse the wax, strain the wax through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean container.
Another method is to use a candle warmer to melt the wax, or to place the candle in an oven at a low temperature. If you use the oven method, be sure to remove any labels or stickers from the candle first.
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Melt wax in a double boiler
Melting wax in a double boiler is a beginner-friendly way to make candles at home. First, place the wax in a small pot, then place the small pot inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer to melt the wax.
Different types of wax have different melting points, ranging from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, so the time it takes for the wax to melt will vary. Once the wax begins to melt, stir the unmelted components occasionally to encourage melting. Do not stir aggressively, as this can introduce air into the blend, which may impact the final candle quality.
Monitor the temperature and remove the small pot from the water once the blend reaches 185°F–190°F (85°C–88°C). Make sure to stir the blend briefly before taking any temperature readings to ensure an even distribution of heat.
If you are adding colour and fragrance to your candle, do so now. Stir for two minutes to ensure the oil is well-dispersed in the blend.
Now you are ready to pour your wax blend into the container. Pour at a steady rate—not too fast and not too slow. Try not to introduce too much air into the blend. If you are pouring more than one candle, pour roughly 75% of the wax into each container, then top them off in the same order. This practice ensures you don't accidentally overfill one candle and underfill another.
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Prepare new container and wick
To prepare a new container and wick for your candle, start by choosing a container that suits your preferences or home aesthetic. You can reuse old candle containers, or opt for teacups, miniature vases, crystal cups, or short mason jars. Ensure that your chosen container is heat-resistant and can withstand the temperature of the melted wax.
Next, prepare your wick by cutting it to the appropriate length. The length of the wick will depend on the size and type of your container. As a general rule, aim for the wick to be slightly longer than the height of the container. You can trim the wick to the desired length using scissors or a wick trimmer. If your wick is too short, the flame may not burn properly, and if it is too long, it may produce smoke or soot.
After cutting the wick to size, centre it in your chosen container. You can use a pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick to hold the wick in place. Place the stick across the top of the container and fold the wick over it. Ensure that the wick is secure and centred before proceeding to the next step.
If your container has a lid or a narrow opening, make sure to leave a small hole for the wick to protrude. This will allow the flame to burn properly and provide oxygen to the wick. You can also tie the end of the wick to a piece of string or wire and rest it across the top of the container to keep it centred.
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Pour melted wax into container
Once you have melted your wax, you will need to pour it into a container. The container you choose will depend on the aesthetic you want to achieve. You could use an old candle container, a crystal votive holder, a teacup, a miniature vase, a ramekin, a crystal cup, or a short mason jar. Antique stores and thrift stores are great places to find unique containers.
Before pouring your wax, prepare your container by placing a wick in the centre. You can use a pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick to hold the wick in place by laying it across the top of the container and folding the wick over it.
When pouring your wax, be sure to leave a gap between the top of the wax and the rim of the container. This gap should be about half an inch to allow the wax to cure properly. If you are using a votive holder, you can pour more wax into the centre to create a well, stopping about a quarter of an inch below the rim.
If you are using a vessel without a spout, consider transferring the melted wax to a glass measuring cup to make pouring easier. Always use tongs to handle hot containers, and be sure to protect your hands with oven mitts if necessary.
After pouring your wax, allow it to cool. The time this will take depends on the shape of your container and the amount of wax, typically ranging from 30 minutes to a few hours. For best results, place your candle in a warm spot so it cools down slowly, preventing it from splitting or cracking.
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Let the candle cure
Curing is a critical component of candle-making. It is the process that allows your candle's scent to fully meld with the wax, optimising its fragrance throw and burn time. The process involves the continuous hardening of wax to disperse fragrance oils evenly throughout the blend.
The amount of time a candle needs to cure before it is ready to burn varies depending on several factors. Most people recommend at least 24 to 48 hours for a paraffin-based candle, and up to a week for a soy-based candle. However, some candle makers swear by the traditional shelf method, letting candles sit undisturbed in a cool, dark place for at least one to two weeks. This extended curing time ensures that the fragrance oils completely bind with the wax, enhancing the candle's performance.
The type of wax, fragrance load, and even the colourant can influence the optimal curing time and conditions. For example, vegetable waxes like soy continue to harden their entire life because they are polymorphic. This means that a soy candle will be harder on Sunday than it is on Tuesday or Wednesday after being poured on Monday. Burning the candle on Tuesday may lead one to believe that the wick is oversized if the wax melts too quickly, but waiting longer would give different results.
The environment also plays a significant role in curing. Temperature and humidity can affect how candles cure, and a stable environment prevents the scent from dissipating too quickly. Additionally, whether you cure your candles with the lid on or off can impact the curing process. Using lids can protect your candles from dust and debris while helping to maintain a consistent fragrance profile, but curing without lids allows for more air circulation, which can speed up the curing process but may lead to faster fragrance dissipation. Ultimately, the best method depends on your specific environment and fragrance load.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to harvest the used wax from the small candles. This can be done by placing the candles in the freezer and then using a knife or spoon to remove the wax.
The next step is to place the wax bits into a can or pot and melt the wax. This can be done by placing the can or pot in a saucepan of barely boiling water or by using a candle warmer.
It is important to ensure that the wax is not contaminated with bits of wick, metal wick holders, or ashy old matches. A fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth can be used to strain the wax and remove any contaminants.
Once the wax is melted, remove any old wicks with tongs and discard them. Prepare your new candle container with a wick, placing the wick in the center and securing it with a pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick.
Slowly pour the melted wax into the new container, stopping about half an inch below the rim. Allow the wax to cool and harden, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the container and the amount of wax.
