is it ok to melt candlewax in microwave

sandy2_2

I've got some part used scented candles that are in glasses. When they were used before the wick burned down thro the midddle and left quite a lot of wax upthe sides of the glass. I've scraped some of the thick wax down the glass to where the wick is now, but I wondered if I could put the candle and glass in the microwave and melt the wax neatly down to the wick, so they look neater, if you know what I mean

celyn90

I'm not sure, but I'd be careful - my microwave only has two settings, off and nuclear reactor core temperature. Parrafin wax is flammable, so you have to heat it gently. I'd try boiling the kettle, pouring some of the water into a bowl and standing the candles in it so they melt down gently. best of luck cel x

lil_me

http://www.mycraftbook.com/candle_wax.asp some are ok, most are not, a guy I know tests microwaves and said they have had some nasty messes happen when doing candles, so I wouldn't even attempt it myself!

http://www.candlecauldron.com/safety.html

http://www.candlecauldron.com/waxandwicks.html

Newgirl_2

Hi.

I have heard some people say they have put Yankee candles in the microwave (on very low) to melt the wax and reuse it but I would be very careful - there is a base that the wick protrudes from and I think it is metal.

The idea of warming them another way makes sense, but I would careful with boiling water as it could crack the glass.

Perhaps stand them on a radiator or similar or warm them slowly so they don't crack.

Alternatively, if you have an oil burner (the sort you put fragranced oil in with a tea light underneath) you can put bits of the wax in the tray and melt it that way - that is the basis of Yankee wax tarts, same idea, but burn without a wick

Hope this helps

Newgirl

Poet_2

why don't you just put them in some hot (not boiling) water (obviously only up to or just under the top of the holder) and then when the wax is soft, do whatever it is you want to with it?

That's what I used to do to clean out my candle holders, the wax generally becomes the consistency of plasticine. You get the idea?