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Arts & crafts

Melting used candle wax

(18 Posts)
Azalea99 Tue 02-Dec-25 19:20:36

After DH’s departure I lost (amongst other things) any reason to light candles, and after a couple of years took my much loved candle-making kit to a charity shop. Forward fast a few years and DGD bought me a lovely scented candle - well what d’you do?
So although I have no reason to fill ornate moulds or do clever stuff I refuse to waste good wax. Here’s my question- I bought the teentsiest, cheapest saucepan & melt old wax in it but it’s so small it’s hard to balance it on the pan stands of my cooker. I’m wondering if any of you have come across anything I can put on the pan stands (rather like a trivet) which might do the trick?
(After this I might change my name to TightWad or something)

Aldom Tue 02-Dec-25 19:33:49

When I had a gas cooker, many moons ago, I had a metal trivit. Its purpose was to slow cooking down to a steady simmer. I imagine you can still buy them from a hardware shop, which is where mine came from in the days before Amazon.
I'm sure the above company could help you. smile

AskAlice Tue 02-Dec-25 19:40:11

I dabbled in making my own batik fabric (small quantities for craft projects) for a while some years ago, and bought a small electric fondue set. It was just right for melting the wax in a controlled, stable way. They are not expensive - would this be a solution?

AmberGran Tue 02-Dec-25 20:26:05

Aldom

When I had a gas cooker, many moons ago, I had a metal trivit. Its purpose was to slow cooking down to a steady simmer. I imagine you can still buy them from a hardware shop, which is where mine came from in the days before Amazon.
I'm sure the above company could help you. smile

You can get these on Amazon and eBay. Haven't seen any in shops. They are for gas stoves though, don't know if they would fit on electric.

Azalea99 Wed 03-Dec-25 12:52:53

Many thanks. Yes, mine’s a gas cooker I’ll take a look in the Pound shops.

Azalea99 Wed 03-Dec-25 13:04:16

Thanks @AskAlice. I’ll pass on that idea, only because I’m trying not to acquire more ‘thing’

Squiffy Wed 03-Dec-25 13:27:54

We have a tiny frying pan and saucepan, so use heat diffusers to balance them on our gas stove. Here’s one from John Lewis (other stores are available!).

Azalea99 Wed 03-Dec-25 15:41:20

Perfick!
Thanks @Squiffy

Squiffy Wed 03-Dec-25 16:51:45

You’re very welcome! 😃

AuntieE Thu 04-Dec-25 13:57:01

You MUST NEVER place a pan with candle wax directly on either a gas or electric cooker! (Or a solid fuel stove, either.)

The risk of the wax bursting into flame is far too great.

Put the wax in a bowl, or an empty and clean food tin, and place the tin in a saucepan of water and bring this gently to the boil, then turn down the heat and keep it on the gas until all the wax had melted.

The water in the saucepan should reach practical half-way up the side of the recepticle the wax is in.

Time2 Thu 04-Dec-25 14:01:00

I do what AuntieE suggested, I just wash out an old baked bean tin, and melt the wax in that, in a pan of water. Works a treat, and when you've finished you can just chuck it away, and start fresh with a new one if you decide to make some more at a later date.

Azalea99 Thu 04-Dec-25 14:35:07

Never crossed my mind, but of course you make perfect sense, @AuntieE & Time2. Many thanks

aanncc Thu 04-Dec-25 17:07:52

Could you microwave it?

FranP Thu 04-Dec-25 22:29:27

I have one of those burners that melt wax when to put a tea light into the bottom.

I wonder would a Pyrex jug in a pan of water on the hob work? Or could you stand your micro pan on top of a frying pan of water?

annifrance Fri 05-Dec-25 08:24:47

I have loads of wax from spent candles. What do I do/make with it and how?

Farmor15 Fri 05-Dec-25 08:36:33

I noticed my daughter used a type of firelighter based on sawdust and wax - commercial product. Better than chemical smelling firelighters and easier than paper and kindling. We have sawdust/wood shavings in sacks and bits of left over candles, so decided to make our own!
Melt wax in very large old saucepan, add sawdust and stir till well mixed. Spoon into disposable cups, squash down and let set. Remove and use to light stove. Easy to handle, and work very well. Also the satisfaction of using up waste!
I realise that this information is of little use to most people, as unlikely to have sawdust, wax, and need to light fire/stove!

SueEH Fri 05-Dec-25 09:18:54

I have a multi fuel stove and sit finished candles on the top. When the wax left in the bottom melts I tip it all into a big candle jar. Eventually I melt the big jar and use a new wick (Amazon) - works a treat but you need the stove 🙄

Esmay Fri 05-Dec-25 10:54:27

AuntieE is so right .
Heating candlewax can be dangerous..and be careful of the fumes as well.
If it smokes - switch off and stand back without touching it .
I tipped some hot wax onto my hand and ended up in A and E .