Lots of people enjoy making custom candles, and this means that they need to be able to melt candle wax to get things done. You might not be sure what the best method is to get your candle wax melted, though.
Many people think that it would be easiest to go ahead and melt the candle wax in the microwave, but is this really safe?
Keep reading to learn more about how to melt candle wax as well as whether melting it in the microwave is recommended or not.
This should give you a better idea of how you should be going about melting candle wax. It won’t be a big deal to get this done when you know more about the process.
Technically You Can
Technically, you can melt candle wax using your microwave if you wish to do so. However, this is a bit dangerous and it might be better for you to use another method if it’s possible.
Many people have noted that it’s easy to hurt yourself or cause a fire if you aren’t paying attention while trying to melt candle wax in a microwave.
If you’re going to go through with this idea, then you’re going to want to take great caution. It’ll be necessary to stand by the microwave to ensure that everything is going as it should. It would be way too dangerous to walk away when you’re trying to melt the wax.
Most microwaves should be able to melt candle wax in approximately four or five minutes, but this can differ depending on the microwave that you have.
Four or five minutes is a good estimate, but it isn’t something that you can count on being completely accurate. This means that you need to pay attention to the state of the wax so that it doesn’t overheat.
The biggest risk of this process is that you will overheat the wax by having it in the microwave for too long. It’s also very easy to burn yourself even when you get things just right.
Melted candle wax is going to be incredibly hot, and the container that you used to melt the wax is also going to be hot when you take it out of the microwave.
Use extreme caution when removing your candle wax from the microwave so that you do not burn yourself. Also, be mindful of what type of container you’re using to melt the wax. You want to use something that won’t get ruined or melted due to the heat of the candle wax.
Other Methods for Melting Candle Wax
Now that you know that melting candle wax in the microwave is a bit dangerous, it might make you want to look into alternatives. Thankfully, you’re going to have another option to consider when you want to melt some candle wax.
Look at the information below to figure out another way to melt candle wax that will be a bit safer.
Use a Double Boiler
Using a double boiler is going to be among the safest ways to melt the candle wax. This method involves placing a large pot on top of your stove and putting some water in it. After this, you get a smaller pot and place it in the larger pot so that you can safely melt your wax.
The large pot doesn’t need to have a lot of water in it for this process to work. You can simply place one or two inches of water into the large pot so that you can melt your wax. It might be necessary to add something to the pot to help elevate the smaller pot as well.
Some candle makers have noted that putting a small cookie cutter in the pot will work to elevate the small pot above the large pot just enough. Of course, you’ll need to use a cookie cutter that is made out of metal so that it won’t melt or encounter other issues.
Once this is done, you can start placing your wax so that you can begin the melting process.
You place your candle wax into the small pot that you have decided to use. With this step finished up, you’re going to want to heat your wax up somewhere between 320 degrees Fahrenheit and 340 degrees Fahrenheit.
It should take between 10 and 15 minutes to melt the candle wax using this method, but things can vary depending on the wax that you’re using.
The important thing to know about this method is that you don’t want to let your candle wax get too hot. If your wax goes above that 340 degree mark, then you need to remove it from the heat source to get it back down within the right range. This might seem like a pain, but you must take care to do things safely.
As you probably figured out, it’s going to be necessary to have some type of thermometer nearby so that you can gauge the temperature of the wax. Be sure that you have access to this before you go through with trying to melt candle wax.
If you don’t have the right equipment, then it would be much better to simply wait.
Learn About Your Wax Type
It’s going to be good for you to know a little bit about the type of wax that you’re using, too.
For example, you might be using something like soy wax, but that is going to have different properties than beeswax. You might choose to use paraffin wax, palm wax, or granulated wax to make your candles.
Learning about the properties of the different types of wax will make it simpler for you to melt the wax safely.
This way, you’re going to be able to make good choices and avoid having the wax reach its flash point. What is a flash point, and why is it so bad when you’re trying to melt candle wax?
Well, the flash point basically refers to the temperature that will cause the candle wax to get too hot. This means that when you heat candle wax up to a certain temperature, it’s going to create the risk of causing a fire.
You should have a good idea of what the type of wax you’re using is supposed to do before you start trying to melt it.
Avoid Using a Gas Stove
Do you have a gas stove that you are planning on using to melt candle wax? This is technically something that you could use, but it’s not going to be the safest option.
You see, a gas stove is going to be that much more likely to cause a fire when you’re melting candle wax.
The fumes coming from the candle wax could wind up igniting due to the gas flame. This is the biggest danger of making your own candles at home, and you’re going to want to prevent it from happening by taking the right precautions.
The only way to melt candle wax using a gas stove is to use the double boiler method and be incredibly careful while you’re melting the wax.
However, most experts recommend not using a gas stove at all if you want to keep things as safe as possible. You would be better off utilizing an electric stove if you have one available.
If you have some type of electric heating source available to you, then it is going to be much better for the candle wax melting process.
No one would think that making a candle is worth risking burning your home to the ground. Be very cautious about using a gas stove to melt candle wax because of the very real danger that it presents.
Now that you know that gas stoves aren’t ideal for melting candle wax, it should be easier for you to make good choices.
Have a Fire Extinguisher Nearby
If you want to make yourself even safer while you’re melting candle wax, then you could take the precaution of having a fire extinguisher nearby and ready to go.
The possibility of something catching on fire while melting candle wax is very real, and you should be prepared to deal with it just in case. If you have a fire extinguisher nearby, then at least you will know that you can react quickly to try to put a small fire out.
Buying a fire extinguisher shouldn’t be all that difficult, and you’ll likely be able to get one at a good price. It’s also good to have a fire extinguisher in your home for safety purposes beyond just melting candle wax.
There is nothing wrong with ensuring that you’re prepared to deal with a fire.
Be Careful
Now that you know more about melting candle wax, it should be apparent that safety needs to be your priority. You can melt candle wax in the microwave, but it isn’t very safe to do things that way.
Going with the double boiler option while using an electric stove is going to be for the best.
Make good choices so that you can make candles without putting your home in danger. Ensure that you have the right tools and materials so that you can succeed.
If you need to wait to make your candle until you can get the right stuff, then you’re definitely better off exercising some patience.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.