| You have decided that you want to make your own | | | | the melting pot surrounded by water. You don't want |
| candles. I think that is wonderful! Here is what you | | | | it to be in contact directly with the heat source. |
| are going to need to get started in the candle | | | | Doing this gives you more control over the |
| making craft: | | | | temperature. Since water boils at 212 F (100 C), as |
| Melting Pot - This is the name given to the vessel in | | | | long as there is water in the larger vessel, then that |
| which you melt your wax. | | | | is the highest temperature that the wax will reach. |
| There are several options for this. One option is to | | | | If you melt the wax directly on a heat source, then |
| get an electric all-purpose cooker that has can | | | | it will absorb then it will keep getting hotter and |
| maintain a constant temperature (not a deep-fryer). | | | | hotter. The problem with this is that the wax doesn't |
| If you don't go this route, then you want to use a | | | | bubble like water does. (Have you ever seen the hot |
| double boiler to melt your wax. If you don't already | | | | wax pool around a lit candle bubble?) Once the wax |
| have a double boiler that you are willing to convert | | | | has melted, there are no other visible signs indicating |
| into a melting pot, then you can purchase one | | | | the wax temperature - until it gets hot enough to |
| specifically for making candles, or you could create | | | | catch on fire. |
| your own double boiler. One requirement of the | | | | Think about this. You know that when water boils, it |
| melting pot is that it has a lid. | | | | changes from liquid to gas, and the water vapor is |
| If you decide to melt wax in a pot that you already | | | | called steam. Wax will also transform from liquid to |
| have, then you should be willing to transfer it | | | | gas. Just as steam rises and spreads out in your |
| permanently from being used for food to being used | | | | kitchen, the wax vapor would do the same. That is, |
| for wax. You wouldn't want to unintentionally get | | | | until some of the vapor came in contact with the |
| dye or scent oil into your food. So, keep this pot | | | | heating element or gas flame. Then...whoosh all the |
| separately from your others. If you decide to | | | | vapor would ignite. And then things could get worse |
| purchase a double boiler or an electric pot, then plan | | | | from there... |
| on using it strictly with wax. | | | | That is why it is essential to have a lid for the |
| If you already have a piece of old cookware that | | | | melting pot. If the wax inside the pot does catch on |
| you'd like to use as your melting pot, then you can | | | | fire, you will quickly be able to extinguish the flames |
| easily construct a double boiler for it. You will need a | | | | by covering the pot. |
| pot that is larger than the one you are going to use | | | | Finally, a note about using a double boiler: Remember |
| for wax melting. You need to put something inside | | | | to keep an eye on the water level. You will need to |
| that container that will keep the bottom of the wax | | | | keep it from running dry. |
| melting pot about an inch above the bottom of the | | | | I have explained this in great detail because I think |
| larger pot. Canning jar lids work great for this. You | | | | that it is important that you understand why you |
| could also use an old metal cookie cutter, other metal | | | | need to do everything you can to control the wax |
| jar lids, a small measuring cup - even some silverware | | | | temperature while you are melting wax to make |
| at the bottom of the pot would work. | | | | candles. |
| What you are aiming for is to keep the bottom of | | | | |