How To Make Beeswax Candles
Making Beeswax Candles
Historically, candles were made with different types of fats, oils and waxes. Those can originate from animals, insects and even plants (bayberry wax). Nowadays the principal source of candle wax is paraffin extracted from petroleum. Still the exceptional qualities of beeswax, its uniqueness in color and scent, makes it a lasting and well-known source of candle-making. When lit a beeswax candle burns with a smokeless bright light and gives off a sweet wonderful odor. Beeswax also has a high melting point resulting in the fact that beeswax candles do not bend in very hot weather.
There are currently three main methods for making beeswax candles:
Poured candles are made by pouring molten wax into molds.
Dipped candles are made by repeatedly dipping a wick into the molten wax.
Rolled candles are prepared by rolling a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick.
It is important to mention that a specific wick for making beeswax candles has to be selected as it is different from a paraffin candle wick. A so called square wick usually works best. Generally a wick that is double as thick as one for paraffin candle will do.
Experiment however by making a test candle before the larger batch or you can buy specific beeswax wicks from candle supply stores. Wicks for rolled, poured of dipped candles must be primed by pre-waxing them. This is simply done by immersing the wicking into molten beeswax (at 160 F – 70°C) and stirring with a wooden stick until no more air bubbles rise. Remove the wicks from the molten wax and hang them up until cool and dry or spread them onto waxed paper.
Where can you get beeswax? Beside the candle supply shops you can obtain beeswax from beekeepers in your locality!. So a good idea is to look for local beekeepers or for bee or honey supply shops. Wax cappings are a side product from honey production and they produce the best and the lightest colored wax.
Sometimes you will need to clean the wax before making it into candles. Put the pieces of beeswax into an old pan placed into a second pan of water. This is called a double boiler. Never heat wax over a direct flame, always do it over water. That’s because wax is flammable.
So it is also recommended to melt the wax on an electric stove instead of a open flame gas stove. Strain your wax through a piece of cheesecloth to make sure all small debris are filtered out. This will make your candles burn cleaner when all the fine impurities are removed.
Be careful you avoid any water in the wax as this makes your candles sputter. Once your wax is clean, it is ready for the molds.
Heat the wax to a maximum of 185F (85°C). Too hot a temperature will affect the color of the wax. It is better to start at 140F (60C) and increase the temperature slowly. Pour the molten wax into the molds, that have been pre-warmed. Allow it to set a little. Fill the shrinkage holes with more hot wax. Use a toothpick to tear open the wax skin so you can estimate the size of the hole. Repeat this as often as necessary.
The prying open will prevent the candle to bend out of shape. Making beeswax candles requires a patient, slow cooling so that the mass will not fracture or distort. You can further slow the cooling process by immersing the mold carefully in warm water of isolate it by wrapping it in layers of newspaper. Put everything in an area free of drafts and let it cool slowly. When the mold and the wax are both cold to the touch you can start the un-molding.
It is preferable if possible to wait a whole day before the un-molding. Especially for large candles and metal molds, this overnight cooling period is recommended. To release a sticking candle from a metal mold cool it further in a freezer for about 15 minutes. With a sharp tap you should be able to release the stubborn candle. Let your freshly made candles air dry for a further 24 hours then wrap them in some tissue to keep them safe. A white “bloom” can develop over time on the wax and is reminiscent of the whitish coating on chocolate. It is however a natural process in all waxes and is easily wiped off with a tissue or cloth.
