How to Melt Candle Wax – 3 Ways

How you choose to melt candle wax will depend on how much money you want to spend, how much space you have to store equipment, and how much wax you plan to melt. If you’re a beginner who wants to make small batches in your kitchen, you’ll want to use the double boiler method. If you plan to start a candle business and need to make bigger batches, you should invest in a wax melter.

This post covers everything you need to know about 3 popular wax melting methods – the pros, cons, costs, and instructions. If you’re short on time, just skip to the cheat sheet below…

3 Ways to Melt Candle Wax

Here’s a quick cheat sheet with an overview of each wax melting method:

Method 1: Double Boiler

The double boiler method is a way to slowly melt candle wax without overheating it. You can easily set this up on your kitchen stove. Just place a metal pitcher inside of a large pot. The wax goes into the metal pitcher. Water gets added to the pot.

To melt the wax, just turn on the burner and bring the water to a simmer. The heat is applied to the wax indirectly through the simmering water. Direct heat can ruin candle wax so this method is great for those who want to safely limit wax temperature.

Pros:

• Safe melting method. Very low risk of overheating the wax.
• No need to buy fancy equipment or store bulky items. You can use inexpensive kitchen tools.

Cons:

• Slowest melting method.
• Requires more babysitting than a wax melter. You may need to make several adjustments to the heat level and the water level if the water starts to boil too intensely.
• Difficult to maintain a specific temperature. With a wax melter, all you have to do is turn the dial to set the temperature to exactly what you need and the wax melter can keep it there. With a double boiler, you can’t suspend the temperature at a certain point so you have to work quickly once you reach the desired temperature.

Cost:

My double boiler setup was less than $50. While you can technically use kitchen items that you already have on hand, I would recommend buying separate items for candle making. All of the items are relatively inexpensive.

It’s easy to find old cookware at resale shops to save money on the pot. My favorite pitchers are the ones with the measurements etched on the inside. Silicone spatulas are super easy to clean because you can peel off the wax once it’s dried. Look for a thermometer with a clip so that you can attach it to the pitcher – no need to dip it in every time you need to check the temperature.

Best For:

• Small batch candle makers: You’ll be limited to the amount of candle wax that can fit inside the pitcher. My largest pitcher holds 4 pounds of melted wax so I can only pour a few candles at a time.
• Beginners: It’s not difficult to set up a double boiler and it’s a safe method where you don’t have to worry about the temp rising uncontrollably.
• Kitchen candle makers: If you plan to make candles in your kitchen, this is the way to do it. Some people attempt to use a microwave, but I do not recommend it. If you’re curious about why, skip to the FAQ below.

I would not recommend a double boiler for anyone who plans to make large batches or start a candle business. A wax melter would be much more efficient.

What You Need:

• Stove (or an alternative heat source like a hot plate)
• Large pot 
• Metal pouring pitcher
• Thermometer
• Silicone spatula

How to Double Boil Candle Wax:

I created a super detailed guide to double boilers that you should check out if you decide that this is the best melting method for you. Here’s the short version…

1. Place a large pot on the stove.
2. Place a pitcher inside of the pot.
3. Add candle wax to the pitcher.
4. Add a couple inches of water to the pot.
5. Clip on a thermometer. 
6. Turn on the burner and bring the water to a simmer, not a full boil.
7. Monitor the temperature. At 185°F, turn off the burner and add fragrance oil/dye. Stir in slowly.
8. Remove the pitcher from the double boiler, then wait until the wax goes down to its optimal pouring temperature.
9. Pour the melted wax into the candle jar or mold.

Method 2: Wax Melter

A wax melter is basically a crock pot with a spigot. Just place the wax inside of the melter and turn the dial to set the desired temperature. Once the wax reaches that temperature, the wax melter will maintain it. You can use the spigot to dispense the melted wax either into a pitcher or directly into a candle jar. This method melts wax much faster than a double boiler.

Pros:

• Fastest way to melt candle wax.
• Easiest way to heat wax to a specific temperature and maintain it. This gives you a lot more time to pour.
• High capacity for candle wax. You can make much bigger batches than either of the other two melting methods.

Cons:

• Most expensive option.
• Bulky piece of equipment. Think about whether you have the space to store a wax melter. I have a small workspace in the corner of my home office so a wax melter isn’t ideal for me.

Cost:

Wax melters vary in price depending on their size. A larger one (above a 25 pound capacity) will cost you over $150. A smaller one (5-10 pound capacity) can be found in the $50-$100 range.

Best For:

I would not recommend this for anyone who is just dabbling in candle making. If you’re really committed, this is a great option for…

• Big batch candle makers: With a 30 pound wax melter, you’d be able to make a batch of sixty 8 ounce candles. If you need to make an even bigger batch, there are plenty of melters with capacities above 30 pounds.
• Candle business owners: This is definitely the fastest, most efficient wax melting method.

What You Need:

• Wax melter
• Metal pouring pitcher (if you don’t plan to dispense wax directly into the candle jar)
• Thermometer (even though you can select the temperature you want on the melter, you still need to clip a thermometer to the pitcher to monitor temperature after the wax is dispensed)

How to Use a Wax Melter:

NOTE: If you’re making scented candles, you can either add the fragrance oil to the wax while it is in the wax melter or after you’ve transferred it to a pouring pitcher. I would suggest the second option because it’s much easier to clean fragrance out of a pitcher than a wax melter.

1. Add candle wax to the melter.
2. Turn the dial to select a temperature. I would select 185°F because this is optimal for adding fragrance oil/dye.
3. When the melter indicates that it is at the desired temperature, transfer the wax to a pitcher through the spigot. 
4. Add fragrance oil and or/dye. Stir in slowly.
5. Wait until wax goes down to the optimal pouring temperature, then pour it into the candle jar or mold.

Method 3: Wax Melter Pouring Pot

While a traditional wax melter has a spigot that dispenses the melted wax, the pouring pot version has a handle and a spout. This allows you to pick it up and pour directly from the melter into a candle jar. You don’t have to transfer the wax into a separate pitcher before you pour.

Pros:

• Inexpensive. These are much cheaper than a traditional wax melter. It’s in the same price range as a double boiler.
• Small and easy to store. The one that I have is also very lightweight which makes it easy to pour from even when I’ve melted a lot of wax.
• Fast wax melting method. Much faster than a double boiler.

Cons:

• Batch size is limited. You can only melt a few pounds of wax at a time.
• Temperature control is not as precise. You can’t dial in the exact temperature that you need. It’s also hard to clip a thermometer to the pot so you may have to rest it against the side of the pot at an awkward angle.
• Slight risk of overheating the wax. You can’t set a temperature for the melter to maintain and it’s hard to know exactly how much heat is being applied because the settings are just ‘low’ versus ‘high’.

Cost:

You can easily find one for less than $50. The wax melter pot I use was $40.

Best For:

I like using my wax melter pot for testing out for quick projects like testing out new candle molds or trying small samples of a new fragrance oil. It’s also great for…

• Beginners: Very easy to use and an inexpensive way to get started.
• Small batch candle makers: Wax melter pots typically have the capacity to hold about 2-4 pounds of wax.

What You Need:

• Wax melter pouring pot
• Thermometer 

How to Use a Wax Melter Pot:

1. Add candle wax to the wax melter pouring pot.
2. Use the dial to select a heat setting. You will generally only have the option to set it to low or high.
3. Add a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
4. When the wax reaches 185°F, add fragrance/dye.
5. Turn off the heat, wait until wax goes down to its optimal pouring temperature, and pour directly from the pouring pot into your candle jar or mold.

NOTE: Be careful to monitor the temperature closely, especially after the wax is fully melted. I’ve found that it’s hard to judge exactly how much heat is being applied. With a wax melter, you can dial in the exact temperature and with a double boiler, you can see how high the flame is. With wax melter pots, there are generally only 2 settings – low and high. I accidentally overheated the wax the first few times I used mine to make candles.

How to Get Started

If you’re looking for a place to start, here’s what I would do:

1. Pick the melting method that’s best for your budget, workspace, and candle making goals.
2. Pick a candle wax and order 5-10 pounds. You might not love your first pick so don’t buy more than that. I started out with paraffin, then switched to soy and now my favorite is coconut apricot wax. The only way to know which one is the best for you is to start working with it.
3. Practice, practice, practice! Candle making involves a lot of trial and error. You shouldn’t sell or gift the first batch of candles you make. Burn them to see if they’re any good. If they are, replicate the steps you took. If they’re not, experiment with different temperatures, wax types, wick sizes, candle jars, etc.

I created a full tutorial on how to make a scented candle from start to finish. It is super detailed and beginner friendly!

You should also bookmark my fragrance oil calculator for an easy way to calculate exactly how much wax and fragrance oil to use in any candle.

And if you found this post helpful, you may also want to check these out:

• 7 Helpful Tips for Beginner Candle Makers
• Everything You Need to Start Making Candles Today – The Ultimate Candle Kit for Beginners 
• Where to Buy Candle Making Supplies 
• How Much Candle Wax Do I Need?
• How Much It Costs to Make Your Own Candles

Frequently Asked Questions

Still got questions? Here’s everything else you need to know about melting candle wax…

Can I melt candle wax in a microwave?

While it is possible to melt candle wax in a microwave, I would not recommend it. You won’t be able to continuously monitor the temperature while the microwave is running so there is a risk of overheating the wax. That ruins the quality and can pose safety issues. Since it’s essential to add fragrance oil at a precise temperature, you may also have a hard time creating a quality candle.

If you opt to use the microwave, my best advice would be to melt the wax in short increments (15-30 seconds max) and check on it frequently. 

What’s the easiest way to melt candle wax? 

In my opinion, the easiest way to melt candle wax is with a wax melter because all you have to do is turn the dial to set it to the desired temperature. Plus, the wax melter can maintain the wax at that temperature so that you have plenty of time to make as many candles as you need. With a double boiler, you have to babysit the pot to make sure the water isn’t boiling too intensely and you typically have to make several adjustments to the heat level and water level throughout the melting process.

What’s the fastest way to melt candle wax? 

The fastest way to melt candle wax is with a wax melter (either the tabletop version or the pouring pot version). The slowest way to melt candle wax is with the double boiler method.

How do I know if the wax is overheating?

There are a few signs of overheating wax:

• It starts to give off smoke.
• It starts to smell bad.
• It starts to bubble intensely.

If any of these things happen, turn off the heat and remove the melted wax from the heat source immediately. You should always have a thermometer in the wax to continuously monitor the temperature.

Can I re-melt candle wax?

Yes, I re-melt old candle wax all of the time. If I have leftover wax in the bottom of a melting pitcher, I will often re-melt it and use it for my next candle (unless it has a fragrance or dye that would be incompatible with the new candle I’m trying to make).