Do you have old candles in your home but the container is too dirty for you to showcase in your living room? Instead of discarding these candles, melt the wax and use the resulting wax liquid to manufacture new candles. We will give you three different methods on how to remelt a candle for you to reuse.
How To Remelt A Candle
Using a Microwave
Get yourself a microwave-safe container. These may be found practically everywhere, but chances are you already have one. Some containers will have labels on the back that indicate whether or not they may be microwaved.
A sign of a dish with wavy lines above it is another indicator. It indicates a container is safe to use in a microwave. A symbol made out of wavy lines.
In the dish, crumble the wax. Take hold of the candle and smash it apart. If breaking the candle with your hands is too tough, use a knife to chop it into smaller pieces.
Smaller bits should be easy to break apart with your hands. Set the microwave timer for 4 minutes and place the bowl in the microwave. The microwave will not melt the wax, but it will soften it significantly.
When placing the bowl in the microwave, keep it uncovered for the best results. This allows the heat to do its job on the wax more efficiently. Remove the bowl from the oven and mix the wax while taking its temperature.
Make sure you understand your wax’s flashpoint or the temperature at which it will ignite. Check the temperature of the wax with a standard thermometer. If the wax becomes too hot, let it cool until it reaches a safe temperature.
You may push the wax against the side of the bowl with the prongs of a fork to break it up. It will help it melt quicker in the microwave. Take cautious not to get any wax on your skin.
The flashpoint of your wax may be found on the side of its bottle or package. Always keep your wax at least 30–50 °F (1–10 °C) below its flashpoint. Microwave the bowl for one minute at a time.
Keep an eye on the wax while it’s heating up in the microwave. If you suspect the wax is becoming too hot, remove it from the microwave immediately. Continue to take the temperature, and if it’s too hot, don’t put the wax back in.
You’re done when the wax has melted. You should have no troubles as long as you’re cautious. Keep a close eye on your wax.
Melting the Candle with the Oven
Another way to remelt a candle is using an oven. Determine your wax’s melting point and preheat the oven to that temperature. Your wax’s melting point should be specified on the side of the candle container or package. Make sure to utilize the melting point of the wax rather than the flashpoint.
The flashpoint of wax is the temperature at which it will ignite. The flashpoint of your wax may be found on the side of its bottle or package. Always keep your wax at least 30–50 °F (1–10 °C) below its flashpoint.
Once hot, place your wax in the oven. Place your wax in a baking pan after the oven has reached the proper temperature. At the proper temperature, it should take around 10 minutes for the wax to entirely transform into liquid.
Keep a close watch on the wax. The oven is a bit riskier than the microwave, so keep an eye on it. When using a gas oven, be extremely cautious.
When the wax melts, it becomes considerably more combustible and will have no trouble finding a flame in a gas oven. At 2 minute intervals, check the wax. Using oven gloves, remove the wax and its container from the oven every few minutes.
Using a conventional thermometer, take the temperature of the wax. When the wax has melted, remove it from the oven. Remove the baking pan from the oven while using oven gloves, and then switch off the oven.
Using a Stove Top
If feasible, use an electric cooktop. The use of a stovetop is the riskiest of all melting processes. Yes, an electric stove is a safer option compared to a gas stove, but it is still highly dangerous.
This approach should only be used if you have a lot of expertise with melting wax and candles. This approach should not be utilized by a beginner or someone who has already used the other ways a few times. Determine the flashpoint of the wax you are using.
The flashpoint of wax is the temperature at which it will ignite. The flashpoint of your wax may be found on the side of its bottle or package. Always keep your wax at least 30–50 °F (1–10 °C) below its flashpoint.
Make a double boiler. Specialty double boiler sets are available at your local grocery or kitchen supply shop. You may, however, manufacture your own at home.
All you need is a large glass or metal bowl that will fit into the pan and a deep, broad pan. Ideally, you want as much of the bowl in the pan as possible since this will help to disperse the heat more evenly. Bring the pan half full of water to a boil.
Don’t put the big bowl in the pan yet. Insert the dish containing the wax into the pan. Place the wax in the pan after the water has reached boiling temperature.
The boiling water will quickly heat the basin but will not burn the wax. This will also lessen the likelihood of a fire. Remember to check the temperature of the wax in the bowl regularly using your thermometer.
If the wax reaches its flash point, remove the huge bowl from the pan with oven gloves. Allow the wax to cool before re-inserting it into the pan. Reduce the heat on the stove.
Remove the bowl containing the melted wax from the pan. When taking the bowl with wax from the pan, turn off the burner and put on oven gloves. Your wax is now ready for use in your project.
Conclusion on How to Remelt a Candle
Here are three easy processes for you to know how to remelt a candle for you to reuse. Take notes on the temperature you apply to your wax. This will avoid future mishaps in the making.