Beeswax can be very dangerous when hot, so you need to melt it slowly using moderate heat to reduce the associated risks. The most common method of melting wax is in a double boiler, but you can also use a slow cooker (also called a slow cooker) or solar power.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cooking in a water bath
Step 1. Fill a large pot with some water
If you have a bunk cooking system, fill the bottom half with about 2.5-5cm of water. If you don't have such a system, take any saucepan and fill it with 2.5-5 cm of water.
- The pot must be large enough to fit a smaller pot or metal bowl.
- Never put the wax directly in contact with the heat source. Doing so would melt it unevenly and risk both burns and small fires.
- Since the water boils at 100 ° C, the water bath system is very safe, because the wax will never reach excessive temperatures.
Step 2. Boil the water
Place the pot on the stove and heat it to high until the water reaches a boil.
- Do not keep the pot on the edge of the stove. Hot wax is very dangerous, so keep the pot inside to avoid accidentally spilling it.
- If possible, use an electric stove or griddle. Gas stoves are safe, but if the wax reaches critical temperature, its vapors could reach the gas and ignite.
Step 3. Place a smaller pot inside and turn down the heat
Place the top half of the bunk system inside the bottom half. If you don't use the bunk system, simply put a metal bowl or smaller pot inside the larger one. Lower the temperature so the water continues to simmer.
- Use a metal bowl, never plastic or glass.
- Ideally, the bottom base of the smaller pot shouldn't touch the base of the larger one. You can try to achieve this effect by placing the handles of the smaller pot on the edge of the larger one.
- If the smaller pot sits inside the larger one, you can use a cookie cutter to act as a base and keep the distance between the two pots. In this way there will be no direct contact with the heat source.
Step 4. Put the wax inside the smaller pot
Put a block of wax in the smaller pot or bowl. Make sure that water cannot come into contact with the wax.
To speed up the process, you can cut the wax into smaller pieces, which will melt faster
Step 5. Melt the wax slowly
Depending on how large the pieces are, this step can take 30 minutes or several hours.
- Always keep an eye on the wax as it melts.
- Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the wax as it melts. The wax melts around 63-64 ° C. Do not let it exceed temperatures of 71-77 ° C, as beyond this limit it could change color and lose its aroma.
- As it evaporates, continually add water to the larger pot. Never let it dry completely.
Step 6. Use the wax however you like
Once the wax is completely melted, you can use it inside molds or any other way you want.
Method 2 of 3: Slow Cooker
Step 1. Pour some water into a slow cooker
Fill the pan of a slow cooker with about 5 cm of water.
- If you want to speed up the process, heat the water in a kettle before pouring it into the pot.
- A slow cooker is even safer than cooking in a double boiler as it maintains an even lower temperature.
- Technically you could melt the wax directly in the pan without putting water in it, because the temperatures still remain low. If you choose this method, make sure the pan is covered with non-stick material.
- However, using the water method is preferable, as it further protects the wax from direct heat. It also makes it easier to pour and use the wax once it has melted.
Step 2. Place a bowl inside the slow cooker
Place a small metal bowl inside the water-filled pan of the slow cooker. Make sure water can't get into the bowl.
- Use a metal bowl. Do not use plastic or glass dishes.
- For this method, it would be better for the bowl to touch the bottom of the bowl rather than stay on the surface.
- Make sure the pot can be closed once the bowl is inserted. If this isn't possible, use a smaller bowl.
Step 3. Put the wax inside the bowl
Put the wax block in the bowl inside the pot.
Instead of inserting it whole, you can break the wax into smaller blocks. The wax melts slowly, especially using this method. Using smaller pieces can speed things up safely
Step 4. Cook the wax until it has melted
Put the lid on the pot and turn it on to maximum temperature. Let it cook for a few hours, until the wax is completely dissolved.
- You can also use lower temperatures, but it will take longer.
- Do not remove the lid from the pot.
- Monitor the temperature of the wax using a cooking thermometer. The wax melts around 63-64 ° C. Do not let the temperature exceed 71-77 ° C, as the wax will begin to discolour.
Step 5. Use the wax however you like
Once the wax is completely melted, you can use it inside stencils or for other projects.
If you don't use all of the wax right away, you can keep it warm by removing the lid and setting the pot to heat
Method 3 of 3: Solar Energy
Step 1. Line a Styrofoam container with aluminum foil
Cover the sides and bottom of a small styrofoam thermal container with aluminum foil.
- The aluminum foil reflects sunlight, allowing the container to heat up enough to melt the wax.
- It is preferable to use a polystyrene container rather than plastic or other. The polystyrene acts as an insulator, so the heat stays inside rather than dispersing through the sides.
- Solar heat is safe and ecological. The inside of the container should reach a suitable temperature if conditions are ideal, but it will never get so hot as to cause burns or small fires.
Step 2. Put the wax inside the container
Place the wax block in the foil-lined container. Cover the container with a glass plate or transparent film which you will then secure with adhesive tape.
If you want to speed up the process, you can cut the wax block into smaller pieces. This way it will melt much faster
Step 3. Place the container in the sun
Place the container in direct sunlight, in the hottest spot you can. Keep it away from shade and humidity.
- This method works best on warm, sunny days. Avoid it on cloudy or rainy days, and even in the evening.
- If you want to use this method in a cold season, keep the container indoors and choose the hottest spot. During the warmer seasons you can put the container both inside and outside.
Step 4. Melt the wax slowly
It may take several hours, check the progress every 20-30 minutes.
- Always keep the wax under control, if you have to leave it only for a few minutes.
- Starting the procedure in the morning or early afternoon will give you enough time to melt the wax.
- You can check the temperature inside the container using an oven thermometer. The wax melts around 63-64 ° C. Do not let the temperature exceed 71-77 ° C, as the wax may begin to discolour.
Step 5. Use it however you like
Once melted, you can use the wax in whatever project is needed.
Warnings
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy. You probably won't need it, but fires caused by wax can be very dangerous, and a fire extinguisher is the best way to put out medium to large fires. Small fires inside the pot can be easily contained by putting the lid on.
- Always keep an eye on the wax as it melts. Once the wax reaches the critical temperature, it produces highly flammable vapors.
- Never let the wax reach temperatures of 120 ° C. The critical temperature of the wax is about 150 ° C and at that point the vapors produced are highly flammable and dangerous
