Can Mason Jars Be Used As Candle Holders?

Mason jars are a type of glass jar used for home canning and food preservation that was patented in 1858 by John Landis Mason. They have a screw-on metal lid and are designed to be reusable, versatile and airtight. Also known as Ball jars or canning jars, mason jars have remained popular over the years due to their durability, sealing ability and nostalgic design.

Mason jars are beloved for their charming, old-fashioned look and have become popular for a variety of crafts and decor purposes beyond food storage. One creative way to reuse mason jars is as candle holders. Their transparent glass allows candlelight to shine through beautifully. They also come in a range of sizes to accommodate different candle dimensions. With some simple preparation and decoration, mason jars can be transformed into lovely holders that provide ambient lighting and a rustic, homemade feel.

Benefits of Mason Jars as Candle Holders

Mason jars make for inexpensive and reusable candle holders (source 1). Once the candle burns out, the jar can be easily cleaned and reused for a new candle. This provides a sustainable and budget-friendly option compared to single-use holders.

The glass jars are also very easy to decorate and customize for different styles (source 2). You can paint them, add labels, or tie ribbons around the lid. The transparency of glass lets the candlelight shine through. The simple, versatile jars fit with many home decors.

Mason jars come in a wide range of sizes, allowing flexibility for different candle shapes and burn times. The durability of tempered glass also makes them heat-resistant candle holders that won’t crack under the flame (source 2). This makes mason jars a safer choice than some inexpensive glassware.

Prepping and Cleaning Mason Jars

Before using mason jars as candle holders, it’s important to thoroughly clean and prep the jars to ensure proper candle adhesion and burning. Here are some tips for prepping mason jars:

Remove any labels or glue residue from the jar. You can soak the jar in warm water to loosen the label and glue. Use a plastic scraper to gently remove any remaining glue or sticky residue (Source).

Wash the mason jars with warm soapy water using a sponge or soft cloth. This will remove any dirt or grime so the wick and wax can properly adhere to the glass surface (Source).

Consider lightly sanding the interior of the jar, which can help the candle wax grip and cling to the glass. Use fine grit sandpaper and sand in a circular motion. Make sure to wash the jar again after sanding.

Allow jars to fully dry before pouring in candle wax. Any moisture on the glass can prevent proper adhesion.

Choosing the Right Candle

When choosing a candle for a mason jar, it’s important to consider the diameter, height, width, shape, and wick length.

Make sure the candle diameter is at least 1⁄2 inch less than the mason jar opening so it fits easily inside and has room for the wax to pool (source: https://jarstore.com/candle-containers/glass-candle-jars/glass-candle-jars-by-size/). The candle height should be 1-2 inches shorter than the mason jar to leave room at the top. A good rule of thumb is that the candle width should be around two-thirds the jar diameter.

To ensure proper melting and prevent tunneling, choose a candle with a wick length relative to the jar depth. Use wick tabs to secure the wick and center it in jars over 3 inches deep (source: https://www.cravecandlesco.com/products/mason-jar). For stability, select a straight-sided candle shape rather than tapered or irregular shapes.

Adding Candle Wax

When adding wax to your mason jar, you have two options: pouring melted wax directly into the jar versus melting wax and letting it pool at the bottom.

If pouring melted wax, make sure to leave at least 1⁄2 inch of space at the top since the wax will expand and rise up the jar as it pools when lit. Only fill the jar partially to allow room for the melted wax to disperse.

For a more even look, melt the wax first and let it fully pool at the bottom of the jar before adding the wick. This will help prevent air pockets. Melt the wax slowly to avoid overheating. You can use a double boiler on the stove or a warn container like a crockpot.

When adding wax, consider incorporating optional items to enhance your candle. You can add essential oils, candle dye, dried flowers, herbs, spices, glitter, beads, or other decorations. Make sure to evenly mix in and distribute any add-ins.

Creating a Tight Seal

Properly sealing the candle inside the mason jar is crucial for safety and performance. Here are some tips for creating an airtight seal:

Use proper wicking to prevent blowing out. Choose a wick that is wide enough for the candle size, usually around 1/4-1/2 inch. This allows the flame to burn steadily without going out from lack of oxygen.

Match lid size to jar opening. Standard mason jar lids come in regular and wide-mouth versions. Make sure to select the right size lid for your jar or the seal will not be tight.

Seal wax completely to lid. Once the candle is lit inside the jar, place the lid on top and drip wax around the rim to fully adhere the lid to the glass. This helps prevent oxygen from entering and extinguishing the flame. Let the wax fully dry and harden before handling.

For advice on keeping the seal intact, see this video on wax sealing spell jars: Wax Sealing Spell Kit Jars

Safety Tips

When using mason jars as candle holders, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips for safely enjoying mason jar candles:

Place on flat, heat-safe surfaces – Only place mason jar candles on flat surfaces that can withstand the heat of the flame, such as wood, metal, stone, or ceramic. Avoid placing them on surfaces like plastic or paper that could melt or burn.

Keep away from flammable items – Position mason jar candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable, like curtains, upholstery, or drying flowers. Keep a safe distance to prevent accidental fires.

Don’t burn unattended – Never leave a burning mason jar candle unattended. Extinguish the flame if you need to leave the room or go to sleep. Unattended candles are a major fire risk.

Allow to fully cool before moving – Let the wax fully harden and the jar cool completely before attempting to move or handle a mason jar candle. Hot wax can drip or spill and the jar may still be hot to the touch after blowing out the flame.

Decorating Ideas

One of the best parts about using mason jars as candle holders is that they can be endlessly customized and decorated to suit any mood or aesthetic. Here are some ideas for decorating the jars:

Painting the jars is an easy way to make them match your home’s color scheme or give them a rustic distressed look. Try spray painting them with chalk paint for a trendy, matte finish. Stenciling designs onto painted jars also adds personality. Refer to this tutorial for inspiration.

Adding beads, glitter, faux flowers, or other embellishments to the outside of the jar creates a sparkling, glamorous effect. Adhere them near the base, wrap them around the entire exterior, or just place a few sprigs of floral stems inside the jar. Get creative with colors and textures!

Etching patterns like polka dots, stripes, words, or symbols into the glass with an etching cream adds custom flair. As seen in this pin, stencils help make this process easy.

Tying ribbons around the lid area softens the look and provides a spot to add a petite bow or floral accent. Thinlace or burlap work nicely for a rustic or romantic vibe.

Wrapping the jar with wire, jute, or twine creates an organic, earthy aesthetic. Try wrapping wire around the jar and securing it to make a handle, as shown here.

Gift and Display Ideas

Mason jars make wonderful homemade gifts when filled with candles. You can create sets of 3-5 candles in different sizes and scents for a beautiful gift presentation. Wrap jars with twine or raffia and add a gift tag. These homemade candle gifts are perfect for birthdays, holidays, housewarmings, and more.

Clustering mason jar candles together creates beautiful mood lighting. Place 3-5 jars on a tray or cluster them on shelves, side tables, coffee tables, and more. Try mixing sizes, colors, and scents for visual interest. The warm, flickering light creates cozy ambiance.

Accent a shelf or table by highlighting a single mason jar candle. Choose one with unique decorations or a bold color. The striking candle becomes a focal point. Display on mantles, console tables, desks, and other surfaces. Sprinkle vases, books, and decor around as desired.

Take the lighting outdoors by lining walkways, steps, and patios with mason jar candles. Place them along the ground or on short pillars and stands. Use the candlelight to create a magical ambiance for backyard dinners, evening gatherings, and summer celebrations. Choose outdoor wicks and stable bases for safety.

Conclusion

To summarize the key points, mason jars make excellent candle holders. They are inexpensive, easy to clean, and customizable. You can create beautiful, personalized candles by choosing scented wax, using colors, and decorating the jars. Lighting homemade candles in mason jars creates a lovely ambiance while allowing you to recycle and repurpose these classic glass jars.

The most notable benefits are that mason jar candles allow for creativity and customization. You can easily tailor candles to the season or occasion by pairing scented wax with coordinating decorations on the jar. The versatility of mason jars means you can make floating candles, colored layers of wax, or different shaped candles like pillars or votives. With some simple materials, you can craft thoughtful handmade candles gifts for others or yourself.

In summary, mason jars are a convenient, adaptable vessel for homemade candles. They provide a safe, inexpensive, and creative way to make stylish and personalized candle holders.