There’s something really comforting about the gentle, flickering light of a scented candle. They create a calming, warm atmosphere in any space. While it was tough to stop using regular candles, the drawbacks were too significant to overlook. So, I learned how to make beeswax candles, and now they’re the only kind we use!
Beeswax candles are an excellent alternative to paraffin candles with fragrance oils. Even soy candles aren’t always the best choice since over 90% of U.S. soy is GMO and treated with pesticides. On the other hand, beeswax candles don’t release carcinogens and other toxins, and they can even help improve air quality. Plus, they smell wonderful! You can find beeswax candles in different forms like pillars, tea lights, votives, and even ones shaped like beehives.
While beeswax candles can be a bit expensive, making them yourself is a fun and easy project, even if you’re just starting. I have friends who are local beekeepers, so I get my beeswax from them. You might be surprised to find beekeepers in your area too. If you ask around, you might get some local beeswax, or you can find it in craft stores or online.
When making beeswax candles, there are a few choices. Beeswax pellets melt faster since they’re smaller and usually refined more than blocks. However, beeswax blocks aren’t as refined and smell more fragrant. For the best scent, you really can’t beat beeswax bars!
Beeswax burns very hot, so finding the right combination of jar and wick can be tricky. I experimented with regular canning jars to figure out the best way to get an even burn without wasting too much wax. I also tried mixing different waxes and oils to see if they worked better than pure beeswax.
Mixing beeswax with a softer oil lowers its melting point, creating a softer blend for a more even burn. Just be cautious not to make it too soft, or the candle will burn too quickly.
You can use pure beeswax if you prefer. Just remember that the wick might tunnel down into the wax, leaving a ring of unburned wax. This leftover wax can be melted down and turned into a new candle.
It’s recommended to burn any poured candle for about an hour per inch of the jar’s diameter the first time. This helps prevent tunneling, ensuring the candle’s surface melts evenly before you extinguish it. If the entire surface doesn’t melt, the wick might be too small for your jar.
For my experiment, I used pure beeswax and two blends, with two different wick sizes. Using half-pint canning jars as my containers, I chose a wick size and got a 60-ply wick suggested by a beekeeper.
The first blend was a 50/50 mix of beeswax and sustainably sourced palm shortening. The second batch had beeswax mixed with coconut oil. I created candles from these blends and lit them for four hours to test.
The best result came from the coconut oil blend with the larger 60-ply wick, giving a complete surface burn without burning too fast. Pure beeswax burned slowly and hot, while the beeswax/palm shortening mix melted too fast.
These pure beeswax candles are a simple option if you don’t mind some tunneling. It doesn’t bother me since I just melt used candles into new ones.
Here’s a recipe for the beeswax/coconut oil blend, but feel free to experiment with other mixes if you’re adventurous!
For this candle recipe, the 60-ply 4 wick worked best. Instead of using wick stickers, I pressed the wick into the wax. I poured some melted wax into the jar, set the wick in, and once it hardened, I poured the remaining wax.
I tried centering the wick with a clothespin on the jar rim, but it wasn’t as effective as using a bamboo skewer.
Beeswax is challenging to remove from surfaces. I have a set of tools just for this task, which I use for other DIY projects like lotion bars. I melt and clean them between uses.
I’ve got answers to some common beeswax candle-making questions too! If you’re allergic to coconut, you can stick with pure beeswax or try using liquid carrier oils like olive or grapeseed.
Beeswax candles can crack if they cool too fast, which doesn’t affect function but may alter their appearance. You can slowly cool them in warm water or a warm oven to reduce cracking.
Some people add essential oils; however, beeswax bars already have a lovely honey scent. If you’re using beeswax pellets and want to add essential oils, about 1-2 teaspoons per half-pint jar is a good measure. Stronger scents like mint or lavender work best.
Wick priming, which helps remove excess air from the cotton, is often recommended, but I’ve found great results without it.
Half-pint mason jars work well with the wax-to-oil ratio and wick size. If you want to use different jars, ensure they’re heat-safe and experiment with wick sizes.
Have you stopped using scented candles? Ever thought about making your own beeswax candles?
