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Safety tips for melting wax
Prepare the work area before starting. Cover work tops, floor coverings with a protective layer such as newspaper. Spilt wax is very difficult to remove.
Once you have your “Double Boiler” set up, you can add the wax to the smaller saucepan. The amount you add depends on the size of your candle. A standard 15 cms high round candle with a diameter of 8 cms weighs about 450 g, so a smaller candle needs less, a larger one more.
Partially fill the largest saucepan with water.
About a third full will do. Do not overfill
As the water may spill when it boils.
About a third full will do. Do not overfill
As the water may spill when it boils.
To melt wax you must never use direct heat. This means you do not put the wax straight in a saucepan to melt it. There is a danger that the wax will melt, get too hot and burst into flames.
The safe way to do it is to use a “Double Boiler”. Cooks will be familiar with this for melting chocolate or heating sauces. You use a large saucepan partially filled with water, and another smaller saucepan floating in it.
The safe way to do it is to use a “Double Boiler”. Cooks will be familiar with this for melting chocolate or heating sauces. You use a large saucepan partially filled with water, and another smaller saucepan floating in it.
Float the smaller saucepan in the water of the larger pan. Switch on the heat. You will need to get the water to near boiling point without splashing.
Carefully place your required amount of wax in the smaller of the saucepans. Please use old saucepans as the wax will render them useless for cooking!
In this picture wax pellets are being used but it may also equally be solid wax lumps.
In this picture wax pellets are being used but it may also equally be solid wax lumps.
Once the wax starts to melt, keep an eye on the water level in the larger saucepan. Top up if necessary but do not get water in the wax. The small pan should not rest on the base of the larger pan. It should float.
With the steady near boiling heat from the water in the larger pan, the wax in the small saucepan will start to melt and go clear. After a short while, the wax will melt completely and it is then ready to use.
Common Sense Safety Tips
Protect your work tops, floors and more importantly yourselves from hot melted wax.
Use safety equipment such as goggles and gloves if you have them.
Keep children and pets away from the preparation area.
If children are involved in the preparation then adult supervision is essential.
Turn the handles of the Double Boiler inwards so the cannot be knocked off.
Pour hot wax carefully and slowly.
Do not let the double boiler boil dry.
Please note this provides safety tips for melting wax and it is not meant as a guide to making candles. Always research fully before starting any project.