How Do You Melt Wax At The Bottom Of A Candle?

Melting candle wax serves several useful purposes. When a candle burns down, there is often wax remaining at the bottom that cannot be lit. Rather than throwing away a mostly-used candle, you can melt the wax to give the candle new life. The melted wax can be poured into a new container or reused to make a new candle. This allows you to get the most use out of store-bought or homemade candles, saving money and resources.

Melting candle wax also allows you to create new candle colors and scents by mixing waxes. Old colorless wax can be remelted and combined with candle dye to make colorful candles. Fragrances or essential oils can be mixed into melted wax to create scented candles. You can customize candles to suit any décor by remelting and remixing old wax.

Additionally, melting wax allows you to remove the wick from a used candle so the metal wick holder can be reused. The wick itself will burn away, but the metal piece remains. When making new candles, you can save money on supplies by reusing these metal wick holders.

With some simple materials and easy steps, melting candle wax can give used candles new life and allow you to customize new candles. This guide will walk through the process of safely melting wax for reuse in an eco-friendly and cost effective way.

Gather Materials

Before melting the candle wax, you’ll need to gather a few simple supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Tin can – Use an empty food tin can, like a soup or vegetable can. The can should be clean and dry. Make sure to remove any labels.
• Oven mitt – You’ll need this to safely handle the hot can of melted wax.
• Knife – A sharp knife to help remove the wick and cut the candle if needed.
• Stove – You’ll need a stovetop burner to heat water in a saucepan.

That covers the key equipment. You likely already have most, if not all, of these supplies readily available in your kitchen. Now that you’ve gathered everything, you’re ready to start melting the candle wax.

Remove Wick

Before melting the leftover wax, you’ll need to remove the wick from the candle. Use a sharp knife to cut the wick as close to the wax as possible. Try to remove all of the wick strands to prevent any debris from getting into your melted wax. Cutting the wick will allow the melted wax to pool together without any wick material getting in the way.

Be very careful when using a knife to remove the wick. Work slowly and cut away from your body. If possible, secure the candle tightly or have someone else hold it steady as you cut. Make clean, even slices to get a short wick stub remaining.

Place Candle in Tin Can

One of the most important steps when melting the remaining wax at the bottom of a candle is to place the candle in a tin can or other heatproof container before heating it. This helps contain the melted wax and prevents it from spilling over or making a mess.

Choose a tin can, metal bowl, or other heatproof container that is a couple inches taller and wider than the candle. Make sure the candle fits loosely inside so there is space for the wax to melt and pool at the bottom without overflowing the container.

Center the candle in the tin can and make sure it is stable. You may need to wedge some balled up aluminum foil or other material in the gaps if the candle is smaller than the can. The candle should stand upright without tipping over once the can is placed in the water bath.

The metal tin can conducts the heat evenly to melt all the wax and also contains any wax that melts and drips down the sides. This safeguards against hot wax spilling over the pot or making a mess on your work surface.

Heat Water in Pan

An essential step in melting the wax at the bottom of a candle is heating water in a pan or pot to a simmer. This heated water will transfer heat to the tin can containing the candle wax in order to melt it down.

Add enough water to a saucepan or stockpot so that it will partially submerge the tin can containing the candle. The water level should come up to about halfway up the side of the can. Having too little water may not allow even heating of the can, while too much water could be dangerous when transferring the hot can in and out of the pan.

Heat the water over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Small bubbles should begin forming at the bottom and sides of the pan. Avoid boiling the water vigorously, as this can make handling the hot pan more difficult and dangerous.

The heated water will transfer heat to melt down the candle wax in the submerged tin can while avoiding scorching or burning the wax in the process.

Submerge Can in Water

Once the water begins simmering, carefully submerge the tin can containing the candle wax into the hot water. Make sure the water level reaches above the wax inside the can. The hot water will begin melting the hardened wax. Allow the wax to melt completely, which typically takes 15-30 minutes. Gently swirl the can every 5 minutes or so to evenly distribute the heat and help the wax liquefy. Be patient during this process and avoid removing the can too soon. All of the wax needs to fully liquefy to drain properly and be reused.

Remove Can

Once the wax has fully melted, use oven mitts to grasp the tin can and remove it from the hot water. Be very careful, as the metal tin can will be extremely hot after being submerged in boiling water. The mitts will protect your hands from burns. Slowly lift the can straight up and out of the water. Try to avoid spilling any hot wax. Place the can on a heat-safe surface to cool.

Allow the can to cool completely before handling again with bare hands. The cooled wax should be hardened at the bottom of the can. Make sure to let it cool thoroughly so no one gets injured.

Strain and Reuse Wax

After the wax has completely melted, carefully remove the tin can from the hot water and set it aside to cool slightly. You don’t want the wax to be too hot or it could burn you when you go to pour it. Once it has cooled a bit, place a cheesecloth or fine metal strainer over a heatproof container. Slowly and carefully pour the liquid wax through the strainer to filter out any debris or wick parts. The wax will begin to solidify again as it cools down.

Make sure to squeeze out any excess wax from the cheesecloth after straining. Don’t throw away the cheesecloth or strainer – you can reuse them again in the future for other candle-making projects. The filtered wax can be used to create new candles, wax melts, or other items. Straining helps remove any impurities, so you’ll end up with nice clean wax for your next creation.

Make a New Candle

Once you have strained and collected the melted wax from the bottom of an old candle, it’s time to put it to good use in a new candle. Here are some tips for making candles with reclaimed wax:

Choose candle vessels – You can reuse old glass containers, mason jars, or tin cans for your new candles. Make sure containers are completely clean before using.

Choose wicks – Use proper candle wicks suited for the diameter of your candle vessel. Pre-tabbed wicks are easiest. Follow wick guidelines.

Melt wax – Re-melt your strained wax completely until liquid. Add coloring or essential oils as desired. Stir well.

Pour wax into container – Carefully pour melted wax into your vessel, leaving room at the top for the wick.

Add wick – Place wick gently into center of candle. Hold straight until wax starts to set.

Cool and cure – Allow candle to fully harden undisturbed. Cure for 1-2 weeks before burning to maximize scent throw and burn time.

With recycled wax and some simple supplies, you can easily give old candles new life in fresh forms. Get creative with vessels, scents, and colors!

Safely Dispose

If you do not plan on reusing the melted wax from your candle, make sure to let it fully harden before throwing it in the trash. Pour the hot melted wax into a disposable container like an aluminum pie tin and allow it to fully harden and cool overnight. Once hardened, you can trash the wax block.

Never pour hot melted wax directly down the drain. As the wax cools it will solidify in your pipes and cause clogged drains. The hardened wax can be very difficult to remove once it has settled.

You also want to avoid pouring melted wax into the trash while still in liquid form. This can leak out of the bag and make a mess. Always let the wax fully harden before disposing.