Ben Carter
Beeswax candles are a wonderful, natural, non-toxic, homemade alternative to store-bought candles. They are long-lasting, have a high melting point, and a naturally sweet smell. They can be made in various containers such as jars, tins, or tea cups, and can be customised with different scents using essential oils. When packaging beeswax candles, it is important to consider the storage conditions and materials used to protect the candles and ensure they are ready for use. This includes keeping them at room temperature, avoiding extreme temperatures, and using boxes, paper, or tissue to prevent dust accumulation. With proper packaging and storage, beeswax candles can be enjoyed for their aesthetics, therapeutic effects, and long-lasting illumination.
Characteristics and Values Table for Beeswax Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Room temperature is best, but beeswax is shelf-stable even at extreme temperatures. Avoid storing in the freezer as beeswax becomes brittle in cold temperatures and is more likely to crack or break if dropped. |
| Packaging | Keep candles boxed and/or wrapped in paper or tissue and stored in a drawer or cupboard until they are ready to use. |
| Shelf Life | Beeswax lasts forever and will not go rancid or brittle in storage. |
| Bloom | A whitish film that develops on natural beeswax over time. It is an indicator of purity and is cherished by candle connoisseurs. |
| Container | Glass, ceramic, and tin are suitable materials for candle containers. The container should be heat-safe and preferably under 3" in diameter to avoid a large wick, which can create a smoky candle. |
| Wax Melter | A double boiler works great for melting beeswax. Other options include a small pot, a large glass Pyrex, or a candle pitcher that sits inside a larger pot with water on the stove. |
| Wax Type | Premium White Beeswax, Yellow Beeswax, and Premium Yellow Beeswax are all suitable for candle-making. The choice depends on personal preference. |
| Additives | Coconut oil can be added to beeswax to help it burn more smoothly and evenly. Essential oils can be added for fragrance, but keep in mind that they don't mix well with high temperatures. |
| Wicks | Wicks should be sized appropriately for the candle and secured to the bottom of the container with hot glue. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wick
When choosing a wick, it's important to consider the diameter of the candle, the type of wax used, and the desired burn time. Beeswax is a dense, hard wax that requires a larger wick than softer vegetable waxes such as soy or rapeseed wax. A larger wick will consume the wax faster, but it will also provide a brighter, steadier flame.
The square braided cotton wick is the ideal choice for beeswax candles. The tightly woven fibres form a robust and stable structure, allowing the wick to maintain its shape during the burning process. This feature facilitates a consistent and controlled burn, ensuring an even melting of wax throughout the candle's lifespan. With its flat, squared edges, this self-trimming wick type minimises the formation of mushrooming, soot, and carbon buildup, contributing to a cleaner and longer burn.
ECO candle wicks are another option, which are made of organic cotton and paper fibres. These wicks are self-trimming and clean-burning, with minimal mushrooming. They are best suited to waxes with a lower melting point, such as soy wax.
Finally, hemp wicks are a biodegradable and non-toxic option that can be purchased pre-tabbed or in a spool. The pre-tabbed variety is recommended for beeswax candles, and they are suitable for pillars and containers up to 7 inches tall.
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Using a double boiler
To package beeswax candles, you first need to make the candles. Beeswax candles can be made using a double boiler. This is a safe way to melt the wax, as beeswax has a high melting point and can scorch at about 200 degrees. A double boiler distributes the heat and prevents the wax from becoming dangerously hot.
To use a double boiler, first, spread newspaper or cardboard around the candle-making area to make clean-up easier. Place a large pot on the stove and fill it halfway with water. Then, place a smaller pot, a large glass Pyrex, or a candle pitcher inside the larger pot. You can also use a small clamp to keep the inner container from floating in the water. Turn the heat to medium and keep an eye on it. If the water boils, it can burn the wax or splash into the pot.
Once the water is heated, slowly drop your beeswax into the inner pot. It can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes for the wax to melt, depending on the size of your batch. Keep an eye on it and adjust the temperature if needed. You can also add coconut oil to your beeswax to help it burn more smoothly.
After the beeswax is fully melted, you can add essential oils if desired. Beeswax has a naturally sweet smell, but you can experiment with different scents. It is important to note that essential oils don't react well to high temperatures, so the scent may not be as strong as artificial fragrances. You can add the essential oils when the wax temperature has dropped to 160-165° F. You may need to stir and gently reheat the mixture to fully incorporate the oils.
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Adding essential oils
Beeswax has its own delicious aroma, but you can experiment with essential oils to create different scents. However, keep in mind that essential oils don't react well to high temperatures, so the scent may not be as strong as artificial fragrances. It's also important to be aware of the flashpoint of the essential oils being used, as they can ignite at high temperatures. Most essential oils have a flashpoint between 100-200°F (37-93°C).
When adding essential oils, it's best to dilute them with a carrier oil like coconut oil. This will help to preserve the scent and prevent the essential oils from burning off. You can also add honey and vanilla extract for a natural fragrance.
- 30 drops of jasmine, 15 drops of cedarwood, and 10 drops of ylang-ylang
- Five drops each of lemon, lime, wild orange, and grapefruit for a citrus candle
- Vetiver, lavender, and patchouli
Beeswax is more difficult to fragrance due to its complexity of structure and density, so you may need to experiment with different scents to find one that complements the natural beeswax aroma. It's important to work in a well-ventilated area when handling essential oils, as the concentrated vapours can be potent.
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Selecting a container
Once the wax is melted, you will need a container to pour it into and form your candle. Glass, ceramic, and tin are great options for this, but plastic is not. You can also use recycled items such as empty candle containers, salsa jars, baby food jars, thrifted jars, mason jars, old tin cans, or teacups. Containers under 3" in diameter are recommended, as larger containers tend to need bigger wicks, which can create a smoky candle.
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Storage and display
Beeswax candles are a wonderful, natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly product that can be stored and displayed in a variety of ways. Here are some detailed tips for the storage and display of beeswax candles:
Storage
Beeswax is known for its longevity and stability, even at extreme temperatures. To maintain the quality of your beeswax candles, it is recommended to store them at room temperature. While beeswax does not easily melt or lose its shape, it can become brittle in cold temperatures, making it more prone to cracking or breaking if dropped. Therefore, it is best to avoid storing your candles in the freezer, despite claims that this may increase burn time.
To prevent dust accumulation, which can impact the performance of the candle by clogging the wick, keep your candles boxed, wrapped in paper or tissue, and stored in a drawer or cupboard until you are ready to use them. If you choose to display your candles as décor items, it is recommended to enjoy them lit, as this will ensure they remain dust-free and in optimal condition.
Display
When displaying beeswax candles, consider using various containers such as glass, ceramic, or tin jars, or recycled items like empty candle containers, salsa jars, or tea cups. It is important to ensure that the containers are heat-safe and have a diameter of less than 3 inches to prevent excessive heat and smoke.
You can also embrace the natural bloom that develops on high-quality beeswax candles over time. This whitish film is an indicator of purity and is cherished by candle connoisseurs. When undisturbed, it often develops into beautiful crystalline patterns, enhancing the visual appeal of your displayed candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Beeswax candles can be stored at room temperature, but they are shelf-stable even at extreme temperatures. To prevent dust from building up, keep the candles boxed and/or wrapped in paper or tissue and stored in a drawer or cupboard until they are ready to be used.
You will need wicks, beeswax, coconut oil, jars, and essential oils (optional).
Glass, ceramic, and tin are great options for jars. You can also use recycled items like empty candle containers, salsa jars, old tin cans, tea cups, or baby food jars.
You can add palm oil to prevent cracking, but this is not recommended due to the negative impact of palm oil on the orangutan habitat. Instead, you can try adding coconut oil to your candles to help them burn more smoothly and evenly.
