If you make a lot of candles at once, you are probably looking for a better solution to help you melt and pour your wax. I hate having to watch my wax in a double boiler because I’m worried it will get too hot, and I like dedicated wax melters for melting my wax.
You can easily set a temperature for your wax to reach and let it stay there while you get all your containers ready. It’s a bit less stressful for me, and I assume you feel the same if you read this. Read on to learn how to use a wax melter.
Supplies Needed
Most of the supplies you will use for this tutorial are standard tools used in candlemaking. If you have already been making candles, you likely have all of these on hand already.
- Wax Melter
- Wax of Choice
- Pouring Pot
- Thermometer
- Plastic candle molds or Containers
- Stirring Stick
Your wax melter will decide what you will need. If you have one with a spigot on the bottom, you will want your wax melter elevated so you can pour the wax into your containers. You could do this by positioning it at the counter’s edge or table. I prefer using a sturdy box to lift it, so I don’t need to risk jostling my candle jars as much and risk sloshing hot wax around.
You should make sure your melter can handle the temperature your wax will melt at. I prefer soy and beeswax, but technically you can melt most waxes in a typical wax melter. You can use paraffin wax, but I wouldn’t suggest it, and Paraffin wax is toxic and derived from petroleum.
Wax Melting
Safety Tips:
- While the pot is on, do not touch the metal pot or the spout.
- Never exceed 250 f for melting wax.
- Never leave pots or wax unattended.
- When not in use, unplug.
- Always wear safety goggles, gloves, and skin protection to avoid skin irritation.
- The melter should never be left unsupervised.
- We are not responsible for any misuse of this product. Use at your own risk.
This tutorial is for a popular type of wax melter. So long as your wax melter looks like this, this tutorial should work regardless of brand.
Step 1. Plug in Your Wax Melter
- Connect the melter to the power source.
- Before adding wax, make sure that the lever on your pour spout remains in its closed position.
- To the tank of your melter, add the desired amount of wax. Don’t let the wax get too full in the melter. Leave at least half an inch of space.
- The thermostat dial can be set to the desired temperature. It will heat up to the temperature you set.
- Regularly check the wax temperature, and adjust the temperature controls as necessary.
- Mix the wax by stirring it frequently to make sure all ingredients are well combined.
- Make sure you know how hot your wax needs to be to melt and the flashpoint.
Pro-tip: The flashpoint is the temperature at which anything will light on fire. Your wax should have this noted somewhere on the package, and things like fragrance oil and coloring will also be indicated on the packaging.
Step 2. Pour Your Wax
- Once your wax is melted, you are ready to pour. You can mix your fragrance and coloring directly into the pot, but this does make it a bit more involved to clean later.
- This tutorial suggests dispensing your wax into a separate pouring pitcher to add fragrance and coloring. This also helps you cool your wax to the right temperature for pouring into your candles.
- Place your pouring pitcher underneath the pour spout, then slowly turn the lever to your left to open the container.
- Turn the tap handle to your left to release wax from the unit.
- Do not open the spout more than necessary to avoid splashing hot wax. To prevent overheating your wax melt, you might want to lower the temperature or turn off the melter completely.
- Turn the thermostat dial counterclockwise as far as it will go to turn off the unit.
Pro-tip: You can do two things to make measuring your wax easier. One idea is to take a scale, zero it out, and keep this on as you pour your wax and measure it. The other is to mark inside your pouring pitcher to show how much wax is a pound, for instance, which can save you time.
Step 3. Clean Out Your Melter
It is pretty simple once you need to clean out your wax melter. Just pour out all the wax and use a paper towel to wipe any residue. A good wax melter will have a coating, making it easy to clean. Now your wax melter is ready for whatever candle you plan on making next!
Pro-tip: If you aren’t changing waxes or scents, you can just let your wax resolidify right in the pot. Once you’re ready to make candles again, you can heat them again. Just use the lid to keep lint and debris out of your wax.
Notes about Use:
- Wax Pouring temperature: The wax is more likely to solidify and block the spout if you pour it at a lower temperature. Before clogging problems occur, please test the lowest temperature you can pour your wax at.
- Spout Tip Removing: If you find that the tip is clogged up with event wax, it is best to turn it counterclockwise. Some people sometimes prefer this option.
You can use any container or mold you like to make your candles. Feel free to get creative! Just make sure you can fill them quickly. You will need plenty of room under your spigot if you use a tall jar, and I like recycling old containers for candles.
Wicks should be picked based on your wax and container. I sometimes use handmade wicks, so feel free to use them. They can be a great way to save money.
Wick stickers are for sticking down your wick tab. You can use stickers meant for this or superglue, hot glue, or even a bit of melted wax. You want your wick to stay centered as your pour in your wax.
Fragrance oil is your best bet for scenting candles. Essential oils can technically be used, but you won’t get as good of a result with them.
Also, be sure you use coloring meant for candles. Some people claim you can use food coloring for candles, but it likely won’t mix with your wax and may be hazardous.
How to Clean a Wax Melter?
Before cleaning:
- Do not immerse yourself in water.
- Turn off the power supply and unplug it.
- Before cleaning the wax melter or contents, wait until they cool down.
- If hot wax remains in the melter, don’t pour water into it. This is dangerous.
- Get rid of any excess wax.
- Use a soft cloth containing rubbing alcohol to remove any residue.
- Avoid using steel wool or coarse scouring pads, as they can cause damage to the surface.
Wax melters are pretty easy to clean than a typical pouring pot. All you need to do is make sure your wax is warm and wipe the liquid wax out with a paper towel. You can clean up any residue left when your pot cools with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.
As for the spigot, use boiling soapy water and let it run through the open valve. You should be able to take apart the valve, so you can use a rolled-up paper towel with more rubbing alcohol to help clean everything out.
Remember, you need to clean up thoroughly when you plan to change colors or scents, so you don’t end up with any contamination in your next batch of wax. Most melters do have a coating to make cleaning them out easier. Read more here: makesy.com
You can clean the exterior of the melter with a damp cloth.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you did, be sure to share it with your friends! Also, if you have any thoughts or helpful tips, be sure to leave a comment!
Carole Brooks has been making candles for many years. She loves to create candles of all different types and for all different purposes. Here she shares her experience and knowledge. Carole is a graduate of Texas A&M University.