Melt Beeswax

Beeswax can be dangerous when hot, so you need to melt it down slowly using gentle heat to reduce the associated risks. The most common way to melt beeswax is in a double boiler, but you can also use a slow cooker or solar energy to complete the process.

Steps

Method One: Double Boiler

1. Fill a large pot with a little water. If you have a double boiler, fill the bottom half with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water. If you do not have a double boiler, choose any old, large saucepan and fill it with 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5 cm) of water, instead.
   • The pot should be large enough for a second, smaller pot or metal bowl to sit inside.
   • Never expose beeswax directly to the heat source. Doing so can cause the wax to melt unevenly and may result in scorching or fires.
   • Since water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), using a double boiler also makes it difficult for the wax to exceed this temperature, making the process much safer.
2. Boil the water. Place the large saucepan on the stove and heat it on high until the water reaches a steady, rolling boil.
   • Do not keep the pot on the outer edge of the stove. Hot wax is dangerous, so to prevent it from accidentally getting knocked over, keep the pots on one of the inside eyes of the stove.
   • Use an electric stove or hot plate when possible. Gas stoves are usually safe, but if your wax does manage to reach its flash point, the vapors may find the gas flame of your stove and ignite.
3. Set a second pot inside and lower the heat. Place the top half of your double boiler inside the bottom half. If you are not using a double boiler, simply use a smaller metal pot or bowl. Lower the heat so that the water reduces to a gentle simmer.
   • Only use a metal bowl. Do not use plastic or glass.
   • Ideally, the top half should rest on the lip of the bottom half so that the bottom of the top half does not touch the bottom of the lower half.
   • If your top half does have to rest on the bottom of the lower half, place a metal cookie cutter or similar metal utensil inside the bottom of the lower half and set the upper bowl on top of the cookie cutter. The cookie cutter elevates the bowl enough to protect it from the heat source.
4. Place the wax inside the smaller pot. Carefully lower the block of beeswax into the upper bowl or pot. Make sure that no water can get inside the bowl containing the wax.
   • To speed up the process, consider cutting the wax into smaller chunks before placing it in the double boiler. Smaller pieces of wax melt faster than larger blocks.
5. Melt slowly. Allow the block of beeswax to melt slowly. Depending on how large your pieces of wax are, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
   • Never leave the wax unattended as it melts.
   • Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your beeswax as it melts. Beeswax should melt around 145 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (63 to 64 degrees Celsius). Do not allow it to exceed temperatures beyond 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 77 degrees Celsius), since beeswax can take on a dark hue and lose its aroma past this point.
   • Add water to the lower pan periodically as the original water starts to evaporate away. Do not allow the double boiler to become completely dry at any point during the process.
6. Use the wax as desired. Once the wax melts down, you can use it in molds or as otherwise called for.

Method Two: Slow Cooker

1. Pour water into a slow cooker. Fill the basin of a slow cooker with 2 inches (5 cm) of water.
   • If you want to speed the process up a bit, heat the water in a kettle before pouring it into the slow cooker.
   • A slow cooker is even safer than the double boiler method since the temperature of the heat is so low.
   • Technically, you can melt the beeswax directly in the basin of the slow cooker without creating a water bath since the temperatures remain so low. If you choose to do this, make sure that the slow cooker basin made from a nonstick material.
   • Using the water bath is generally preferred, however, since it further protects the wax from direct heat. The water bath also makes it easier to pour and use the wax after it melts.
2. Place a small bowl inside the slow cooker. Sit a small metal bowl inside the water-filled basin of your slow cooker. Make sure that the water in your slow cooker cannot get into this metal bowl.
   • Use a metal bowl. Do not use plastic or glass dishes.
   • For this method, it works best if the metal bowl sits directly on the bottom of the slow cooker basin instead of resting above the surface of the water.
   • Make sure that the lid of the slow cooker can still fit on top of the device once you place the bowl inside. If the lid cannot fit on the slow cooker, use a different bowl.
3. Sit the beeswax inside the bowl. Place the block of beeswax in the metal bowl resting inside the slow cooker.
   • Consider breaking the beeswax into smaller chunks instead of placing the entire block inside. Beeswax melts slowly, especially when prepared in a slow cooker water bath. Using smaller pieces will help speed the melting process up in a safe way.
4. Cook until melted. Cover the slow cooker and switch the heat on to high. Allow the beeswax to sit in the hot slow cooker for several hours until it melts.
   • You can also melt the beeswax using the low setting of your slow cooker, but doing so will take more time.
   • Make sure that you keep the slow cooker covered during this time.
   • Monitor the temperature the beeswax using a cooking thermometer. Beeswax melts around 145 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (63 to 64 degrees Celsius). Do not allow the temperature to exceed 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 77 degrees Celsius), since beeswax can begin to discolor past this point.
5. Use as needed. Once the wax has finished melting, you can use it in molds and other projects.
   • If you cannot use all of the melted wax immediately, you can keep it warm and melted by removing the lid and switching the slow cooker to its "warm" setting.

Method Three: Solar Power

1. Line a Styrofoam chest with foil. Cover the sides and bottom of a small styrofoam cool chest with aluminum foil.
   • The aluminum foil will reflect the sunlight, allowing the chest to heat up enough to melt the wax.
   • Opt for a styrofoam cooler or cooling chest instead of a plastic cooler or other container. The styrofoam acts as insulation, so the heat remains primarily on the inside instead of seeping out through the sides of the chest.
   • Solar heat is both "green" and safe. The inside of the cooler should get hot enough under the right conditions, but the heat is usually gentle enough to prevent the wax from scorching or catching on fire.
2. Place the wax in the chest. Sit the block of beeswax in your foil-coated cooler. Place a sheet of glass or clear acrylic on top of the cooler and secure it in place with duct tape.
   • If you want to speed the process up, consider cutting or breaking the block of wax into smaller pieces. Smaller chunks of wax will melt down much faster than larger blocks.
3. Sit the chest in a sunny location. Place the chest in direct sunlight, using the warmest spot possible. Keep it away from moisture and shade.
   • This process will work best on a warm, sunny day. Avoid using it on a cloudy or rainy day or in the evening.
   • If you are using this process to melt beeswax in a cooler season, keep the container inside and choose the warmest location possible. During warmer seasons, you can keep the chest inside or outside.
4. Melt the wax slowly. Give the wax a few hours to melt. Check on its progress every 20 to 30 minutes.
   • Never leave melting wax completely unattended for more than a few minutes at a time.
   • Get an early start. Starting the process in the morning or early afternoon will give the wax plenty of time to melt inside the heating chamber.
   • Consider monitoring the temperature of the heating chamber by placing an oven thermometer inside. Beeswax melts around 145 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (63 to 64 degrees Celsius). Do not allow the temperature to exceed 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 77 degrees Celsius), since beeswax can begin to discolor past this point.
5. Use as desired. Once the wax melts down, you can use it in any project calling for melted beeswax.

Warnings

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. You probably won't need to use it, but wax fires can get very dangerous very quickly, and a fire extinguisher is the best way to put out a moderate to large fire. Small fires contained within a single pot can be put out by placing the lid on the pot, however.
• Never leave the beeswax unattended as you let it melt. Once the wax reaches its flash point, the vapors it produces become extremely flammable.
• Do not let the wax reach a temperature about 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius). The flash point of beeswax is usually 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius), and at that point, the vapors it produces are very volatile.

Things You'll Need

Double Boiler

• Beeswax
• Double boiler OR 1 large metal pot and 1 small metal bowl
• Cooking thermometer
• Water
• Electric stove or hot plate
• Knife

Slow Cooker

• Beeswax
• Slow cooker
• Small metal bowl
• Water
• Knife
• Cooking thermometer

Solar Power

• Beeswax
• Styrofoam cooler or chest
• Aluminum foil
• Oven thermometer
• Glass or clear acrylic sheet
• Knife

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make Melted Crayon Art
• Transfer Pictures to Candles
• Make Rainbow Crayons
• Preserve Cut Flowers With Wax
• Melt Crayons
• Make a Melted Crayon Canvas
• Add Color to Beeswax
• Make Wax