Is Boiling Water Hot Enough To Melt Candle Wax?

ByLevi Perez

Candles are an essential part of many homes, providing light, warmth, and ambiance to living spaces. As they burn, candle wax melts and pools around the wick, allowing it to continue burning. But what temperature does water need to reach to melt solid candle wax? This is an intriguing question for candle makers and enthusiasts alike.

In this article, we’ll examine the melting points of different candle waxes and compare them to the boiling point of water. We’ll also discuss whether boiling water is hot enough to melt candle wax through some simple at-home experiments. Factors impacting wax melting will be covered, along with proper melting techniques and safety considerations when working with hot wax.

By the end, you’ll know conclusively whether or not boiling water can melt candle wax.

What Temperature Does Water Boil At?

At sea level, water boils at 212°F (100°C). This is because the atmospheric pressure at sea level is around 1 atmosphere (atm). As the atmospheric pressure decreases at higher altitudes, the boiling point of water also decreases. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the boiling point decreases by approximately 3°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. So at 5,000 feet above sea level, water boils at approximately 203°F (95°C). This lower boiling point has important implications for cooking, as foods will take longer to boil at higher altitudes (Source).

The reason the boiling point changes with altitude is that atmospheric pressure affects the temperature at which water transitions from a liquid to a gas (boils). The lower pressure at higher altitudes allows water molecules to break free and enter the gas phase at lower temperatures. So as you climb in altitude, the boiling point temperature keeps dropping until eventually water would not boil at all because the atmospheric pressure is too low. This phenomenon applies to any liquid – the boiling point decreases as external pressure decreases (Source).

Melting Points of Different Candle Waxes

Different types of candle waxes have different melting points. Some of the most common candle waxes and their melting points are:

Paraffin wax, which is a petroleum-based wax, has the lowest melting point at around 120-130°F. Beeswax, which comes from honeycomb, has a higher melting point of 144-147°F. Soy wax, made from soybeans, melts at around 135°F. Gel wax has the lowest melting point at around 110°F.

Knowing the different melting points of candle waxes is important when choosing the right wax for a candle or when trying to melt candle wax. The wax needs to be heated to a high enough temperature to fully melt, but not so hot that it burns or discolors the wax.

Comparing Boiling Point of Water to Wax Melting Points

candle wax melting in boiling water
The boiling point of water is 212°F (100°C). This temperature is hot enough to melt some types of candle wax, but not all of them. According to Saco DPS/Morris Wax Wax Chart, paraffin wax has a melting point range of 115-142°F (46-61°C). Gel wax is similar with a melting point range of 118-122°F (48-50°C). Therefore, boiling water is hotter than the melting points of both paraffin and gel waxes. The wax will become molten when exposed to boiling water.

However, some waxes have higher melting points than boiling water. Beeswax has a melting point of 144-149°F (62-65°C) and soy wax melts between 113-135°F (45-57°C) according to Brook Otas Creations Which Temperature Does Candle Wax Melt?. This means that boiling water alone may not be enough to fully melt harder beeswax or higher melt point soy waxes. Additional heat would be required to bring the water to a high enough temperature to liquefy those wax varieties.

Testing Boiling Water on Candle Wax

A simple experiment can be conducted to test if boiling water is hot enough to melt various candle waxes. This involves boiling water, pouring it into a heat proof container, and then submerging a small piece of candle wax in the water.

Results show that paraffin wax and gel wax easily melt when submerged in boiling water. However, beeswax and soy wax do not melt. According to Harvard’s water experiment research, paraffin wax has a melting point between 120-150°F. Gel wax is around 140°F. Boiling water reaches 212°F, well above the melting points of paraffin and gel.1

In contrast, beeswax has a melting point between 144-147°F, while soy wax is 115-135°F. So for these types of wax, boiling water alone is typically not enough to completely melt them. Their higher melting points prevent the wax from fully liquifying when immersed in 212°F water.

This simple test demonstrates that the temperature of boiling water can melt some candle waxes like paraffin and gel, but not natural waxes like beeswax and soy. To completely melt those, additional heating methods are needed to surpass their higher melting points.

Factors that Impact Melting

There are several factors that can impact the melting point of candle wax when using boiling water. Two key factors are wax additives and altitude.

Many candle waxes, especially soy wax, use additives like dyes and fragrances that can lower the overall melting point of the wax (https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=f2d7586ea57928d4ede88004993d7f871727a367). Adding even small amounts of certain additives makes the wax melt at a lower temperature. This means boiling water may be hot enough to melt candle wax containing additives, even if it is not hot enough to melt pure wax.

Altitude also impacts the boiling point of water. At higher altitudes, the boiling point of water decreases due to lower atmospheric pressure. For example, at sea level water boils at 212°F (100°C) but at 5,000 feet altitude it boils around 203°F (95°C) (https://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/wax-additives-everything-candle-makers-need-to-know). This means boiling water at high altitudes may not reach temperatures hot enough to melt some candle waxes.

Safety Considerations

When working with boiling water and candles, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind. As the Fire Safety & Candles article from candles.org states, “Never use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to spatter, sometimes causing burns.”

The high temperature of boiling water can cause serious burns if it comes in contact with skin. Splashing water onto melted wax can be dangerous as the wax may scatter and land on skin. According to the Candle Care & Recycling page from gpcandle.com, “Allow the vessel to sit. The boiling water will slowly melt the wax, which will then float to the surface of the water.” This demonstrates the importance of carefully pouring boiling water and avoiding splashing to prevent burns.

It’s also vital to supervise children around candles as stated in the 8 Candle Safety Tips to Prevent House Fires article from jenkinsrestorations.com. The article mentions that “Out of all fire-related deaths, candles are the cause of over 10% of them.” Kids should always have adult supervision when handling candles or being around boiling water to prevent accidental injuries.

Other Methods to Melt Candle Wax

There are a few other common methods for melting candle wax besides boiling water:

Using a double boiler is one effective approach. To do this, place the candle wax in a heat-safe container or pouring pot. Then place this container into a saucepan or pot with about an inch of water. Heat the water to a simmer, being careful not to let the water boil. The steam from the simmering water will slowly melt the candle wax.

Briefly microwaving the candle wax can also work. Place the wax in a microwave-safe container and microwave in 15-30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the wax is fully melted. Be very careful not to overheat the wax as this can cause it to combust.

Both the double boiler and microwave methods allow for controlled, even heating to melt candle wax. Just be sure to stir the wax regularly and avoid overheating with either approach [1]. Proper temperature control is key for melting wax properly without scorching it.

Proper Wax Melting Technique

When melting wax for candle making, it’s important to use proper technique to avoid overheating the wax or creating hot spots that can scorch it. The key is to apply low, even heat. There are a few tips to follow:

Use a double boiler or makeshift double boiler setup. This allows you to gently heat the wax using steam rather than direct contact with a burner. Fill the bottom pot with a couple inches of water and set your pouring pot full of wax inside. Heat the water slowly until the wax becomes fully melted.[1] The indirect heat prevents scorching.

If microwaving, heat the wax in short bursts of 30 seconds. Stir between intervals to distribute the heat evenly and prevent overheating of any sections. Be very careful handling recently microwaved wax as it can get extremely hot.[2]

Use a thermometer to monitor wax temperature and keep it between 175-185°F when adding fragrances and pouring. Higher temperatures risk burning off scents.

Stir melted wax thoroughly before pouring to distribute heat evenly. Cool slightly before adding fragrances or dye, which work best at lower temperatures.

By using a gentle indirect heating method and avoiding excessive temperatures, you can properly melt wax without compromising quality or scent.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned that while boiling water does get hot enough to melt some types of candle wax, it may not get hot enough to melt all types effectively. The boiling point of water is 212°F (100°C). Common candle waxes like paraffin, soy, and beeswax have melting points ranging from about 115-165°F (46-74°C). Therefore, boiling water will be able to melt lower-temperature waxes like paraffin but may struggle to melt higher-temperature waxes like beeswax.

We discovered some interesting candle facts along the way. Candle-making dates back thousands of years, with evidence of candle use in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. Today, paraffin wax is the most popular, but soy, beeswax, and other natural waxes are common too. Proper wax melting requires holding the temperature 15-20°F above the wax’s melting point. And for safety, wax melting should always be done with adult supervision using proper precautions.

While boiling water can melt some waxes, using a double boiler, candle warmer, or microwave may allow more control over holding the ideal wax temperature. Overall, we found that with the right type of wax and some patience, boiling water can be an effective DIY method for melting candle wax.

Similar Posts