How To Melt Wax

You'll need the following ingredients and items

• Stoves
• Towels
• Baking Soda
• Wax
• Baking Soda
• Apron
• Candy Thermometer
• Double Boiler
• Pot Holders
• Wooden Spoons
• Fire Extinguishers
• Hammers or Ice Picks
• Towels
• Pot holders

First of all make sure the pot that the wax will go in is clean and completely dry. Break up the wax block with a hammer and/or ice pick so that you have smaller chunks to work with.

Make a double boiler (if you don't already have one) by filling half of a large saucepan with water and placing a smaller saucepan or a coffee can inside. Do not put water in the container that you will melt the wax in. 

Put several chunks of wax into the top of the double boiler and set the heat on high. Stir the wax frequently as it heats and use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. The melting point of paraffin (the most common wax used in home-made candles) is roughly 125 degrees F. 

Prepare to pour the wax when it reaches its pouring temperature. This depends on the mold material. Metal molds require the wax to be between 180 and 200 degrees F. For paper cartons, glass, rubber, etc., the pouring temperature is 130 to 150 degrees F.

Safety Warnings:

• Determine the amount of wax you need by filling the mold with water, then pouring the water into the pot that will be used to melt the wax. Mark the water line in the pot with a crayon, pour out the water, and dry the pot.
• Turn the heat down if the wax temperature approaches 210 degrees F. 
• Be sure that small children and pets are kept out of the candlemaking area.
• Wax is flammable at high temperatures and should never be left unattended. Paraffin wax will catch fire at 375 degrees F. Flash points for other types of wax vary.
• Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda rather than water if you have a wax fire.
• Don't pour wax down your sink - it will cool there and plug up the pipe.