Candle Making, Top 5
Best Ways To Melt Candle Wax
Jan
Candle-making can be a fun and creative activity, with endless possibilities when it comes to scents, colours and shapes. But before you can create the perfect wax melt, you must first know how to safely and effectively melt your wax. Below are the two best ways to melt candle wax.
The Double Boiler Method
There are two primary ways to effectively melt candle wax – the double boiler method or the microwave method. The double boiler method is the most popular and widely used option for melting wax. To get started, fill a large pan with water (around half full) then place your soya wax in to a smaller pan or bowl. Carefully sit your smaller pan of wax on the inside of the large pan and touching the hot water. Remember – don’t let water get into the wax!
Heat over medium heat until your wax melts, but keep an eye on the temperature – do not let your wax exceed 80°C! Once melted, use a thermometer to ensure that the wax is at 70°C before adding colour (if desired). Remove your wax from the heat and let cool to 65°C. You can now add your chosen fragrance if desired. Stir gently for 1 minute after adding fragrance oils for best results. Do not leave your double boiler unattended at any time for safety reasons and if using this method remember that any pan you used for melting wax should not be used for food preparation afterwards.
The Microwave Method
The microwave is another safe and easy way to melt candle wax but take care not to overheat by only heating in 2-minute intervals until fully melted. Pour your wax into a microwavable container (check “microwave-safe” or “heatproof” labels are present on their packaging) and heat for 1 minute at a time, monitoring the temperature until it reaches 80°C. (Do not let you wax exceed 80°C).
Use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature of your wax is 70°C before adding colour & fragrance oils. When finished, stir gently to mix in any added colour or fragrance oil before pouring into containers of choice. Keep careful watch while heating in microwaves as they can heat very quickly so its important not to walk away until finished!
Summery
Candle and wax melt making can be a rewarding, creative activity that offers endless hours of fun. Properly melting the wax is key to achieving a perfect candle or wax melt. Whichever method you choose, make sure that you take caution when handling any type of candle-making material and always be careful not to overheat the wax once it liquifies.
