How to melt wax for candlemaking?
If you think that melting wax is easy, then you are right! But easy does not mean it’s the perfect way to do it.
We’ll give you some tips and tricks to melt wax properly and efficiently when burning your candle.
Wax melting instructions: do it the safe way!
Melting wax may seem super straight-forward, but it can be quite dangerous and tricky.
Follow a few simple safety precautions to avoid bad candle-making experiences.
Safety precautions while making candles:
1. Try to have a fire extinguisher or items that can help with fire within reach.
For small wax fires, you may use something such as a pot lid to smother the fire.
NEVER (ever!) use water to extinguish a wax fire. Liquid wax behaves like oil, and therefore needs to be treated like an oil fire.
2. NEVER LEAVE MELTING WAX UNATTENDED.
It might take some time to get the wax to go from solid to liquid, but once it has liquefied, the temperature will rise quickly.
Constantly monitor the temperature of your wax! If the wax reaches its Flash Point (typically above 300° F), then the vapors produced are extremely flammable. So, never let your wax exceed 250 degree F!
3. Always use a double boiler.
A double boiler helps distribute heat and prevents dangerous temperatures. Never melt wax directly on your stove.
4. Use an electric heat source.
If your wax reaches its Flash Point, it is less likely for the vapors to find a flame and become ignited on an electric heat source.
5. Always use a thermometer to monitor your wax temperatures.
If you don’t have a thermometer, put it on your list of things to get before you start making candles.
How to use a double boiler for candle making?
A double-boiler is created by boiling a pot of water on a heat source.
The temperature of the water will never exceed 212 deg. F.
Place the pouring pot (containing the wax) within this boiling water. Pouring pot is never in direct contact with the heat source and it’s the boiling water that transmits the heat to the pouring pot quickly and evenly. It minimizes the chances of a fire.
Even with a double boiler, do not leave it unattended.
Related Posts
-
What is soy wax?
...