Yankee Candle Jar recycling

CravingSaving

Anyone know how to get the last of the wax out of the jar so I can use the jars for something else? Not sure if you can microwave to heat them and will only crack the jars if I start stabbing away with a knife!

mary43

We've had a lot of candles bought us in the past that have been in a glass holder -the only way we've got the old wax out was by scraping it out with a palette knife.........I'd be interested in knowing an easier way. Some of the glass holders were very pretty and I'd love to re-use them

Jonesya

Bespoke wrote: »

How about standing the glass container in a pan of hot simmering water? That’s how they melt the wax in the first place.

Yeah that's the safest way - when making candles you use a double boiler basically a pan that sits within another water filled pan. That way the wax cannot get above 100 C, whereas if you heat the wax directly or in the microwave the wax could, if you were not careful, get hot enough to ignite.

mary43

I'll give that a try. Always been afraid that the glass might break immersed in boiling water........tried soaking them in hot water from the tap but that didn't work..........wasn't hot enough I expect.

Peartree

I poked out the little metal bit in the bottom and then put it in the microwave very low until the wax softened.

Jonesya

mary43 wrote: »

I'll give that a try. Always been afraid that the glass might break immersed in boiling water........tried soaking them in hot water from the tap but that didn't work..........wasn't hot enough I expect.

I think what matters is how quickly you vary the temperature - if you raise and lower the temperature gently they shouldn't crack.

CravingSaving

Thanks for your replies and ideas. I dont have suitable bowls/pan to do bain marie, but will try deftost setting in microwave.. wish me luck.. I shall report back results!

dorien

put it in the freezer for about half hour, then prod at side with a flat knife and it comes away. use this method for the wax tartlet residue in the tart burners also.
so love yankee candles, burn them all the time. Especially the lemon lavender in the bedroom.

Merrywidow

At last a subject I can really relate to. I have been a candle maker for 20 years and only recently retired. I too buy Yankee candles now, they are brilliant. The remains in the jar can be removed by standing the glass jar in hot water for a while and cutting it out with a knife. The secret to cleaning wax from anything is lots of washing up liquid and hot water. Always remember that wax melts at a low temperature, never boils just explodes. A jam thermometer is imperative in candle making. Forget the microwave. Save up the remains from your old candles, melt at 180C and make new candles. For this you will need wicks. If you want to re-make candles let me know and I will talk you thru it.

annie_d

I just fell across this thread. Do ANY of you know where I can buy Salt City candles?? They really are the best, by far. Thankyou.

Merrywidow

Just re-read the threads. You can use an empty tin (the kind with a white interior) in a pan of water to melt wax. Why not dip your hands in it to give yourself a beauty treatment. When it cools peel if off and re-use it. Just remember to respect wax, it doesn't boil it explodes, which is why you need a jam thermometer, never go beyond 180c. Trust me I'm a wax doctor.