Tyler Brooks
Beeswax candles are easy to make and can be a fun DIY project. They are made using the wax that honeybees produce and can be made at home with raw beeswax in mason jars. The process involves melting the beeswax, adding essential oils if desired, and pouring the liquid into a jar with a wick. The wick should be centred and secured, and the candle should be allowed to cool and harden. Beeswax candles burn cleanly and have a subtle, natural scent. They are a perfect gift for loved ones and can be made in different sizes and shapes.
Turning Beeswax into Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax source | Local beekeeper, bee equipment supplier, or personal beehive |
| Wax preparation | Clean wax by removing debris; melt wax using a bain-marie, crockpot, or solar wax melter |
| Wick type | Candle wick, preferably suited to the candle diameter |
| Wick positioning | Centered, away from the mold's sides, secured with tape or a clothespin |
| Additional ingredients | Essential oils, coconut oil, or palm oil |
| Molds | Mason jars, tealight cups, or custom molds |
| Pouring technique | Pour wax slowly and consistently, filling the mold to the top |
| Cooling process | Place in a warm area, preheated oven, or room temperature (60-70°F) for 30-90 minutes |
| Curing | Allow candles to cure for two days, then trim the wick to 1/4 inch |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the beeswax
Cleaning beeswax is essential to remove impurities such as pollen, debris, honey, or dirt. Dirty wax can clog the wick of beeswax candles. Here are some methods to clean beeswax:
Using a Crockpot
Place the crockpot on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Set the temperature to the lowest setting and cover it with a lid. Allow several hours for the wax to melt, depending on the room temperature, crockpot setting, and wax amount. Once melted, turn off the crockpot and place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean container.
Using a Double Boiler
This method is suitable for small-scale wax cleaning. Place the wax in a double boiler and melt it. Pour the molten wax through a strainer, such as a t-shirt or cloth, into the desired molds.
Melting in the Sun
Place a single layer of an old t-shirt over a wire mesh in a solar wax melter. Put the comb and other debris on it and let the sun melt the wax. The cake of wax will come out clean, leaving the impurities behind.
Boiling in Water
Add the wax to a pot of boiling water. Scoop out any impurities that float to the surface once the wax melts. After removing the impurities, turn off the heat and let the pot cool. The wax will float to the top and solidify. Turn the pot over the sink, and the wax should pop out easily.
Using a Microwave
Place the beeswax in a microwavable glass dish and melt it. After melting, pour the wax through a strainer to remove any impurities.
It is important to note that beeswax is flammable, so it is recommended to melt it outside or in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, use stainless steel pots as beeswax reacts with iron and possibly aluminum.
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Choose the right wick
Choosing the right wick is essential when making beeswax candles. The wick impacts the heat, duration, scent throw, and combustion of your candle. Different wicks are suited to different types of wax, and the diameter of the candle you are making will also determine the type of wick you should use.
Beeswax has a hard and sticky consistency, so you should opt for a wick that is designed for harder waxes. Cotton Braid wicking is ideal for beeswax candles as it is engineered to curl while burning, which minimizes carbon build-up. This type of wick is also well-suited to the naturally occurring sediments found in beeswax, which can otherwise interfere with the burning process. Square cotton braided wicks are also an excellent choice for beeswax pillars, ensuring the candle burns evenly, cleanly, and safely.
Flat braided or knitted wicks are manufactured from high-performance fibres and are another option for beeswax candles. They result in a cleaner-burning, self-trimming wick with additional structural strength, controlled curling, and a hotter, more efficient flame. An example of a flat braided wick is a high tensile paper wick (HTP), which is a good choice for beeswax candles.
The thickness of the wick will depend on the diameter of the candle. Thicker wicks allow more fuel to be drawn into the flame and will create more heat, making them better for wider candles. Thinner wicks won't burn as hot and are ideal for candles with a smaller diameter. When positioning the wick, ensure it is not too close to the sides of the mould, as this may show through in the final candle.
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Prepare your workspace
To prepare your workspace, start by gathering the necessary materials. You will need beeswax, which you can obtain from a local beekeeper, a bee equipment supplier, or your own beehives. You will also need candle wicks, which should be chosen wisely based on the diameter of the candle you plan to make. Additionally, you may want to use coconut oil or other "cooler" oils like palm oil to blend with the beeswax to prevent cracking, as well as essential oils for scent and food coloring if desired.
Next, set up your workspace by covering your work surface with wax paper, newspaper, or a large poster board. This will protect your work surface from any spills or messes. Place an electric hot plate or a stovetop on your workspace, as well as a double boiler or a pot for melting the wax. If you are using a double boiler, you will also need a pouring pot or a Pyrex measuring cup to hold the melted wax.
If your beeswax is in block form, you may need to grate or cut it into smaller chunks to fit into your melting vessel. You can use an old cheese grater or a glass measuring cup to grate or melt the wax. If you are using essential oils or food coloring, have them measured out and ready to add to the melted wax.
Once your workspace is prepared, you can begin melting your wax. If using a stovetop, heat the wax over medium heat, being careful not to burn it. If using an electric hot plate, adjust the temperature accordingly. You can also use a crockpot to clean and melt your wax if it contains any debris.
Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and take the necessary safety precautions when working with hot wax. It is important to maintain a consistent temperature to avoid cracking in your finished candles.
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Melt the wax
To melt the beeswax, you will first need to grate or cut the beeswax block into small chunks. Raw beeswax is very hard, so grating it can be time-consuming. Cutting it into smaller pieces will speed up the melting process. You can then place the chunks of wax into a mason jar or a glass measuring cup.
Next, you will need to use a double boiler or the bain-marie method to melt the wax. Fill a saucepan with water and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a gentle simmer—you don't need the water to be boiling, just hot enough to melt the wax. Place your mason jar or measuring cup with the wax into the saucepan, making sure the water doesn't overflow into your jar or cup. You can also use an electric hot plate set to medium heat instead of a stove.
If you are using essential oils or other additives, such as coconut oil, you can add them at this stage. Stir the mixture with a wooden chopstick or a similar utensil to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Once the wax has completely melted, you can turn off the heat. Be careful not to spill any hot wax on yourself as you handle the jar or cup. You can now proceed to prepare your moulds or jars and wicks while the wax is cooling to the desired temperature for pouring.
If you are having trouble removing the wax from your melting container, a helpful trick is to preheat your oven to 200°F, turn it off, and place the container inside. Within a few minutes, the wax will melt, making it easy to wipe away with paper towels.
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Pour the wax into a mould
When you're ready to pour the wax into a mould, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the wick is centred in the mould. You can do this by placing a pencil, straw, or skewer across the mould and taping the wick to it, or by threading the wick through the centre of a clothespin. It's important to ensure that the wick is not touching the sides of the mould, as this could affect the final appearance of your candle.
Next, slowly and carefully pour the melted wax into the centre of the mould. Pour slowly and consistently until the wax slightly overflows the top of the mould. If you notice craters forming on the surface of the wax, continue topping it off with more hot wax until it cools. It's important not to add too much wax, as this will alter the shape of the candle.
The cooling process is also crucial. Allow the candle to cool completely before removing it from the mould. The cooling time will depend on the temperature of your workspace, but it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. To prevent cracking, place the candles in a warm area to harden gradually. You can also preheat your oven to 170°F (or 200°F if you're using a mould) and then turn it off before placing the candles inside.
Finally, once the candle has cooled and hardened, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. When lighting your candle for the first time, direct the flame at the base of the wick so that some of the wax melts and is drawn up into the wick, ensuring a proper burn.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get beeswax from a local beekeeper, a bee equipment supplier, or your own beehives.
The bain-marie method is a good way to melt beeswax. You can also use a crockpot or a solar wax melter to clean and melt the wax.
The choice of wick depends on the diameter of the candle. It's important to choose the correct wick to ensure the candle burns properly.
Yes, you can add essential oils or food colouring to your candles. Beeswax doesn't hold scent very well, so you may need to experiment with different oils to achieve the desired fragrance.
