Recycling candles

2childmum

Has anyone tried recycling the wax from old candles? What is the best way to melt the wax? I have googled it, and found various options, but one site was warning that the wax could catch fire, which I obviously want to avoid!

Also, can anyone recommend the best place to buy the wicks

Thank you

lessonlearned

Ooh I shall watch this thread with interest. It's something I want to try.

Like you I've read about how to heat up old wax and they do make it sound scary. Personally I think I would be inclined to go for an old saucepan on top of the stove......on a very low light, not leaving it unattended and stirring regularly. I think I would have more control that way than using a microwave.

It's the wick bit that sounds fiddly so I shall be hoping to pick up some tips from people who have done this.

maman

I've done it by putting the scraps in a jug/jar. Pyrex felt safer but it doesn't have to be. Then putting the jar in a pan of water. So the hot water melts the wax and it has no contact with any flames/power source.


I then put the wax into teacups. It looked pretty but not very successful, probably because I never did sort out wicks properly.

happybiker

lessonlearned wrote: »

Ooh I shall watch this thread with interest. It's something I want to try.

Like you I've read about how to heat up old wax and they do make it sound scary. Personally I think I would be inclined to go for an old saucepan on top of the stove......on a very low light, not leaving it unattended and stirring regularly. I think I would have more control that way than using a microwave.

It's the wick bit that sounds fiddly so I shall be hoping to pick up some tips from people who have done this.

I use an old saucepan on top of the stove. the pan has a good fitting lid which is kept handy in case the wax catches fire. if the wax does light, quickly turn off the heat source and fit the lid, this will snuff the fire . Do not use water under any circumstances.
Use a very low heat and stir all the time until all the wax has barely melted, then turn off the heat. Don't leave the pan unattended at any time and wear oven mitts to protect the hands.

lindens

happybiker wrote: »

I use an old saucepan on top of the stove. the pan has a good fitting lid which is kept handy in case the wax catches fire. if the wax does light, quickly turn off the heat source and fit the lid, this will snuff the fire . Do not use water under any circumstances.
Use a very low heat and stir all the time until all the wax has barely melted, then turn off the heat. Don't leave the pan unattended at any time and wear oven mitts to protect the hands.

i do it this way too. bought a variety of wicks off ebay and have filled up my old jars, votive holders, tea lights etc

DigForVictory

I've a double boiler from a car boot - does the job & I get wicks off ebay if I cba to braid or spin my own, fibre dependent.

lessonlearned

happybiker wrote: »

I use an old saucepan on top of the stove. the pan has a good fitting lid which is kept handy in case the wax catches fire. if the wax does light, quickly turn off the heat source and fit the lid, this will snuff the fire . Do not use water under any circumstances.
Use a very low heat and stir all the time until all the wax has barely melted, then turn off the heat. Don't leave the pan unattended at any time and wear oven mitts to protect the hands.

Ooh thanks for the tips. I didn't know about keeping the lid handy but yes that makes good sense. Good tip about the gloves too, hot wax splashes would be very painful.

Daft question.......what would be the best to stir it with. Would a wooden spoon be ok or might that catch fire.

2childmum

Thank you all for your helpful tips. I like the pan and lid idea! Feels a bit safer.

iammumtoone

2childmum wrote: »

Thank you all for your helpful tips. I like the pan and lid idea! Feels a bit safer.

The safe way is the bain marie method. Do not heat wax with direct heat and always stand by it watching and stirring.


Make sure the container you are putting it into is heat proof.

happybiker

iammumtoone wrote: »

The safe way is the bain marie method. Do not heat wax with direct heat and always stand by it watching and stirring.


Make sure the container you are putting it into is heat proof.

It is indeed the safest way but all the types of wax used in candles don't have the same melting points and a direct heat source melts them all. One thing to be careful of though is the low flashpoint of some of the oils used for fragrance. Even a Bain Marie gets hot enough for some of these to ignite when in contact with a flame or hot surface

happybiker

lessonlearned wrote: »

Daft question.......what would be the best to stir it with. Would a wooden spoon be ok or might that catch fire.

You can use a wooden spoon if you wish, just keep the stirring implement away from any flame or heat source and don't use the spoon for any other purpose, keep it just for wax.


I tend to melt my wax (or lead/pewter etc) using a camping stove out on my patio rather than in the house. I don't like having any volatile fumes inside.
The oven gloves are not just to protect from hot wax splashes, they enable you to turn off the heat source and fit the lid in an emergency without getting burned.


The best candle I ever made was 20 kilogrammes of block wax (got from a local factory that closed down) and several years supply of church candle stubs. Melted in an old oil drum and poured into a galvanised bucket. The wick was a length braid from an old paraffin room heater. That candle provided a Pseudo campfire on many weekend camping trips