How do you melt candles?

Charlotte
by Charlotte
  11 answers
  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Jan 27, 2020

    I've used a metal can like a coffee can and then set it in a pot of boiling water to make a type of double boiler.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jan 27, 2020

    Are you wanting to melt down old candles to make new ones or seal jelly/jam?


    If so, I suggest making a “double boiler” with the internal part being something you don’t care about. Like what?

    Disposable Aluminum “pan” from dollar store. This can be shaped to have a pour spout* (see below)

    or some metal container that one picks up at a thrift shop.


    *As long as you have a way to pick it up out of the boiling water and pour it where you want (hot pads mittens) then you’re good to go.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Jan 27, 2020

    I have to agree with the above. The easiest way is to place a tin can inside a pot of hot water and they will melt slowly for you.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 28, 2020

    Hi Charlotte. The double-boiler method works best. Begin by filling a pot of water. Bring it up to a simmer. Use an empty can (from fruits or vegetables) to do the melting in. Make sure it is dry on the inside. Put your old candles in it and carefully set it down in the water. Use caution when working with this process.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jan 28, 2020

    Get your self 2 old pots or go to the dollar store and get 2 one for water and one for the wax let the water heat up the wax will melt don’t forget your wicks there only a thin piece of string dipped in wax.

  • Maura White Maura White on Jan 29, 2020

    You could put it on a hot plate to melt the wax

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jan 30, 2020

    Even if using a hot plate as a source of heat, you would still need to first put the wax in some kind of container/pot. It's getting the wax completely cleaned off any pot, without damaging it, that is the worst ongoing problem with any project that requires melting wax.


    I agree with others who have said use cheap disposable pots , rather than your regular cookware.

  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Jan 31, 2020

    This tutorial shows how to melt candles with an electric cup warmer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TmsKTLd7wpA

  • Deb K Deb K on Feb 08, 2020

    Hi Charlotte, hope you like this, it shows how to reuse the wax,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUYYDZ4LFEs

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Feb 27, 2020

    A double boiler would be a great option