Let’s be honest, candles are quite expensive these days, especially if you opt for the large 3-wick scented candles.
If you’re trying to save money, I recommend buying candle wax in bulk quantities and melting it at home in the microwave. It’s the easiest way to make your own candles!
Disclaimer: This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. As a member of the Amazon Associates Program I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
You can buy your own wax on Amazon and melt it at home to create your own candles. You can even add essential oils to add fragrance!
Here’s my post about making your own soy candles at home! It’s a fun and easy DIY for the whole family!
It’s a great idea to use candle wax from old candles or candle remnants and recycle them into beautiful candle holders.
You can easily melt candle wax in the microwave, however, you must be very careful when doing so as candle wax is highly flammable.
The alternative to melting wax in the microwave is to use a an electric candle wax melter!
Can I melt wax in the microwave?
Yes, candle wax can be melted in the microwave. Melting candle wax in the microwave is an easy and convenient way to melt candle wax.
However, you must use extreme caution when doing so. It’s important to not heat candle wax for too long as it can become extremely hot and dangerous.
Soy candle wax is the safest candle wax to melt in the microwave as it has a low melting point.
How to melt candle wax in the microwave
Before you begin melting candle wax, gather all the necessary materials.
You will need:
- candle wax
- a microwave-safe bowl or mug
- an oven mitt or two
Method 1
It’s not difficult to microwave wax to melt. Put a small quantity of soy wax in a bowl that can be used in a microwave on 5 minutes of regular or high heat.
You can add color at this point. Stir your wax completely and thoroughly after your five minutes are up. If the wax is not liquid, re-microwave it for increments of 30 seconds until it is.
If your microwave doesn’t have a spinner, stir the wax after about half the cooking time, then put it back in the microwave for the remaining cooking time.
Avoid heating up your wax too much. The wax will usually be fine. However, the longer it takes for the wax to cool, the longer it will take. Most wax should be heated to a temperature between 115°F and 125°F.
Be cautious throughout the entire procedure! Wax liquid is extremely hot. Additionally, keep an eye on your wax while it’s in the microwave.
My concern with this method is that candle wax can catch fire if not handled properly. It’s important to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the candle wax while it is melting.
I would probably break up the 5 minutes of cooking time into smaller increments, like 30 second or 1 minute bursts. This can help minimize the risk of candle wax catching fire in the microwave.
Method 2: safest
To melt candle wax properly and safely, you’ll need to break it up into small pieces first. The microwave will heat these pieces evenly, as opposed to melting one large piece of candle wax.
Start by cutting up your candle wax into small pieces that will fit in a microwave-safe bowl or mug. Place the candle wax pieces into the bowl or mug and put it in the microwave.
It is important to set the power level to the lowest setting (50%) and use a heat-resistant bowl.
Place the pieces of candle wax in a heat-resistant bowl, making sure to leave enough room for expansion as it melts. Heat the candle wax for 30 seconds intervals and stir in between each interval until all the candle wax has melted completely.
Once you’ve melted the candle wax, you can use it to create candle holders or candle sculptures.
When melting candle wax in the microwave, it is important to use extreme caution and make sure that the candle wax does not overheat. Also, never leave candle wax unattended while it is melting in the microwave. This will help to avoid any potential mishaps that could occur.
By following these simple steps you can easily and safely melt candle wax in the microwave! With a little time and effort, you can create beautiful candle holders or candle sculptures to enjoy.
Happy candle-making!