green soap
Well-Known Member
My first candles were a failure. Here is what I did:
I placed a wick and some bees wax chunks into three 4 oz mason jars. I put those on a hot oven stone, in a warm oven (170C). The wax melted and I had to secure the wick so it would not fall to the side. That was really tricky, and I wish I knew an easy way. So far so good, I did get some things resembling candles.
So we tried burning the candles and they do not burn! I read somewhere later that one needs to add a little oil (10 to 20%?) to bees wax in order for them to burn. The little bit that burned smelled heavenly, like honey. I really wish I could make one that burns!
DH wants me to try again (he loves candles). I searched and searched on goggle, and this is how I found the crappy technique I described, which does not work. I did like the fact that the bees wax melts by itself on the mason jars and one does not have to mix and melt on a stove top. However, it does not work, the candles do not burn. I also had a really hard time getting the wick to stay in the center.
So I am coming here hoping that someone who makes real candles has some advice for me. Any good tutorial you can recommend on making bees wax candles?
Also, I am only interested in bees wax (I got a good deal from a local bees keeper and have lots of it) but I would be willing to add oil to it if it makes it burn. What kind of oil and how much?
So for once google did not work for me. I would love some advice or pointers from real chandlers, and thanks in advance!
I placed a wick and some bees wax chunks into three 4 oz mason jars. I put those on a hot oven stone, in a warm oven (170C). The wax melted and I had to secure the wick so it would not fall to the side. That was really tricky, and I wish I knew an easy way. So far so good, I did get some things resembling candles.
So we tried burning the candles and they do not burn! I read somewhere later that one needs to add a little oil (10 to 20%?) to bees wax in order for them to burn. The little bit that burned smelled heavenly, like honey. I really wish I could make one that burns!
DH wants me to try again (he loves candles). I searched and searched on goggle, and this is how I found the crappy technique I described, which does not work. I did like the fact that the bees wax melts by itself on the mason jars and one does not have to mix and melt on a stove top. However, it does not work, the candles do not burn. I also had a really hard time getting the wick to stay in the center.
So I am coming here hoping that someone who makes real candles has some advice for me. Any good tutorial you can recommend on making bees wax candles?
Also, I am only interested in bees wax (I got a good deal from a local bees keeper and have lots of it) but I would be willing to add oil to it if it makes it burn. What kind of oil and how much?
So for once google did not work for me. I would love some advice or pointers from real chandlers, and thanks in advance!