Craft

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax Candles

  1. Prepare Your Workspace:

    • Cut your wicks to the desired length. If you're making pairs, cut the wicks so that you have two wicks on one piece of string, with a bit of extra length in the middle to drape over the dowel. 2-4 inches.

  2. Melt the Beeswax:

    • Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer.

    • Place the beeswax in wax pitcher or can and allow it to melt slowly. Use a thermometer to ensure the wax melts to a temperature between 160°F and 170°F (70°C to 75°C). Don’t let it get too hot. As soon as you see it melting, monitor it and when it seems mostly or completely melted, turn the heat down to low.

  3. Dip the Wick:

    • Carefully dip the wicks into the melted beeswax. Steady in and steady out. 1 second dipping in and 1 second pulling out. Hold them above the wax pot so extra wax can drip off.

    • Hang the dipped wicks over dowel, clothes drying rack, horizontal broom to cool for a minute. I often just lay them on the counter. They will solidify enough to do that within a couple of seconds.

  4. Repeat the Dipping Process:

    • Continue dipping the wicks into the melted beeswax, allowing a minute for cooling between each dip. The more dips you make, the thicker your candles will become. Typically, 30-35 dips are needed to achieve a standard taper candle thickness.

  5. Smooth and Shape the Candles:

    • If the candles become uneven or have bumps, you can gently roll them on a flat surface or use your fingers to smooth them out while they are still warm. You can also tug the straight if they get a curve to them.

    • Continue dipping until you reach your desired thickness.

  6. Final Cooling and Trimming:

    • With scissors or a knife on a cutting board, cut the bottom off the candle so that it is flat at the bottom. Use your instincts, the wick usually ends about an inch up and the bottom inch is just wax drippings that can go back in the wax pot.

  7. Enjoy Your Candles:

    • Let cure for at least 10 days before burning, longer for longer burn times! Enjoy the warm, natural glow and pleasant honey scent that beeswax candles provide.

Resources

Wax

I suggest checking in at your local co-op or with local beekeepers to see if you can purchase wax directly from them.

Mountain Rose Herbs

Wick

I typically purchase 100% organic cotton wick on Amazon.

Make sure to get a 1-2 ply square braided wick.

Wax Pitcher

For tall candle dipping vats these are great.

For everyday candle making on the stove try an 8” wax pot.

You can dip in old aluminum cans too.

Pot / Double Boiler

Use an old pot, fill halfway with water, and put a few canning jar ring lids in the bottom for even heat distribution.

Candle Hanger

I use a clothes drying rack. You can also get creative with a broom places horizontally on chairs.

Tip: Dip beeswax candles for the year ahead. They burn slower and cleaner if they are allowed to cure for months.