Since beeswax can be dangerous in the heat, you should melt it slowly using a low temperature to reduce the risk of injury. The most common technique for melting beeswax is using a double boiler, but you can also use a slow cooker or solar heat to complete the process.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Double Boiler
Step 1. Fill a large pot with a little water
If you have a double boiler, fill the bottom with water to a height of 2.5-5 cm. If you don't have a double boiler, use any old pot and fill it with water to a height of 2.5-5 cm.
- The pot should be large enough to fit another pot or smaller metal bowl in it.
- Do not heat beeswax directly with a heat source. Doing so can cause the beeswax to melt unevenly and risk scorching or burning.
- Since water boils at 100 °C, using a double boiler will prevent the temperature of the wax from exceeding that boiling point. That way, the melting process will be much safer.
Step 2. Bring the water to a boil
Place a large pot on the stove and use high heat until the water boils and bubbles constantly.
- Do not place the pot on the stove that is on the edge. Hot candles are very dangerous. So, to prevent the pot from bumping, use it on the stove that is on the inside.
- Use an electric stove or hot plate if possible. Gas stoves are usually safe, but if the candle reaches its flash point, the steam produced can come into contact with the burner flame and cause a fire.
Step 3. Place another pan and reduce heat
Place the top of the double boiler in place. If you don't have a double boiler, just use a smaller metal pot or bowl. Reduce the heat so the water is no longer boiling.
- Use only metal pans, not plastic or glass ones.
- Ideally, the top pot should hang over the lip of the bottom pot so that the bottom of the top pot doesn't touch the bottom of the bottom pot.
- If the bottom of the top pan touches the bottom of the bottom pan, place a metal cookie cutter or similar metal utensil in the bottom pan to keep the top pan from sticking to the bottom pan. These cookie cutters are enough to lift the pan and protect it from heat sources.
Step 4. Place the candle in the top pan or a smaller pan
Carefully place the beeswax blocks in the top pot/bowl. Make sure no water gets into this top pan.
To speed up the melting process, consider cutting the wax into smaller pieces. Smaller candles will melt faster than large blocks
Step 5. Melt the wax slowly
Allow the beeswax block to melt slowly. This process can take from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the beeswax.
- Never leave beeswax on the stove unattended.
- Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax during the melting process. The wax will melt at a temperature of 63-64 °C. Do not let the wax exceed the temperature of 71-77 °C because the color of the beeswax may turn darker and the aroma will be lost.
- Add water to the bottom pan regularly as the water will evaporate as it heats up. Do not let the bottom pan run out of water during the melting process.
Step 6. Use wax as needed
Once melted, you can pour the wax into the mold or use it for other purposes.
Method 2 of 3: Using Slow Cooker
Step 1. Pour the water into the slow cooker
Fill the slow cooker bowl with water to a height of 5 cm.
- If you want to speed up the process a little, preheat the water in the kettle before pouring it into the slow cooker.
- Using a slow cooker will be safer than the double body method because the temperature is very low.
- In theory, you can melt the beeswax directly in the slow cooker without adding water because the temperature is so low. If you choose this method, make sure the slow cooker bowl has a nonstick coating.
- However, the water method is usually preferred because it protects the wax from direct heat sources. Water also makes it easier for you to pour out the wax and use it after the melting process is complete.
Step 2. Place a small bowl in the slow cooker
Place a small metal bowl in the slow cooker. Make sure the water in the slow cooker doesn't get into the bowl.
- Use a metal bowl. Do not use bowls made of plastic or glass.
- This method works most effectively if the metal bowl is resting directly on the bottom of the slow cooker, not above the water's surface.
- Make sure you can still put the lid on the slow cooker after placing the metal bowl in it. If the lid doesn't fit properly, use another bowl.
Step 3. Place the beeswax in a metal bowl
Place the beeswax block in a metal bowl in the slow cooker.
It is advisable to cut the wax into small pieces instead of leaving it in large pieces. The beeswax melts slowly, especially if you use water. Cutting the wax into small pieces will help speed up the melting process in a safe way
Step 4. Cook until the wax melts
Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn it on to high heat. Let the beeswax sit in the slow cooker for a few hours until it melts completely.
- You can also melt the beeswax using a low temperature setting, but this option will take longer.
- Make sure the slow cooker lid is not opened during the melting process.
- Monitor the temperature of the candle using a kitchen thermometer. Beeswax will melt at a temperature of about 63-64 °C. Make sure the temperature does not exceed 71-77 °C because at this temperature the color of the wax will begin to change.
Step 5. Use wax as needed
Once the melting process is complete, you can print it out or use it for other purposes.
If you can't use all of the melted wax, you can keep it warm by opening the lid and turning the slow cooker setting to “warm”
Method 3 of 3: Using Sunlight
Step 1. Cover the inside of the polystyrene box with aluminum foil
Take a small polystyrene cooler and cover the inside with aluminum foil.
- The aluminum foil will reflect the sun's rays so the box will be warm enough to melt the wax.
- Use a polystyrene cooler, not a plastic cooler or other container. The polystyrene acts as an insulation so most of the heat will stay inside, not seeping out through the walls of the box.
- The sun's heat inside is "environmentally friendly" and safe. The inside of the cooler will get hot enough under the right conditions, but generally low enough to prevent the wax from burning or burning.
Step 2. Put the candle in the box
Place the wax block in a cooler that has been lined with aluminum foil. Place a sheet of clear glass or acrylic over the box and secure it with duct tape.
If you want to speed up the melting process, consider cutting the wax block into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces of wax will melt more easily than large blocks
Step 3. Place the box in direct sunlight
Choose the hottest location for placing the box. Keep the box away from moisture and shade.
- This process will work effectively when the weather is sunny. Do not choose this method if the day is cloudy or rainy, or in the afternoon.
- If you choose to use this method during the rainy season, place the box indoors and find the hottest location. During the dry season, you can choose to keep the box indoors or outdoors.
Step 4. Melt the wax slowly
Wait a few hours for the wax to melt. Check the progress every 20-30 minutes.
- Never leave melted wax unattended for more than a few minutes.
- Start early in the day. It's a good idea to start the melting process in the morning or early afternoon to give the wax enough time to melt in the heating chamber.
- Consider monitoring the temperature in the heating chamber by placing a thermometer in the box. Beeswax will melt at a temperature of 63-64 °C. Do not allow the temperature to exceed 71-77 °C as the wax will begin to change color at this point.
Step 5. Use wax as needed
Once the wax is completely melted, you can use it for a variety of projects that require melted wax.
Warning
- Have a fire extinguisher near you. You probably won't use it, but a candle fire can turn into a major hazard in no time and an extinguisher is the best way to deal with moderate to large fires. The small fire in the pot can be extinguished by placing a lid on the pot.
- Never leave beeswax unattended after it has melted. Once it reaches the flash point, the resulting vapor is highly flammable.
- Do not allow the wax to reach a temperature of more than 120 °C. The flash point of beeswax is usually 150 °C and at this point the vapor produced is very unstable.
