How to Make a Beeswax Candle

Pour your own beeswax candles once and you’ll never buy them again. This is one of the easiest DIYs I do on a regular basis, so much so that it feels like second nature to save small, recycled jars just for this purpose. I add a bit of coconut oil to my ingredients to conserve beeswax and help the candles burn a little slower. If you don’t have coconut oil in your cupboards, feel free to leave it out and make pure beeswax candles. Makes 3, 4 ounce containers.

Ingredients

1/2 pound beeswax

1/4 cup coconut oil

3, 4-ounce mason jars 

cotton wicks (size #2)

pint-size glass mason jar 

medium-size pot 

canning ring

wooden clothespin or bamboo skewer 

Directions 

1. Create a double boiler by placing two inches of water in a medium size pot. Place a canning jar ring in the center of the pot and set mason jar on top of the ring.

2. Add the beeswax to the mason jar.

3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat.

4. Once the beeswax is completely melted, remove it from the heat and stir in the coconut oil. (It helps the beeswax burn slower.)

5. Secure a wick at the bottom of the mason jar with a little glue, then thread the top of the wick through a clothespin. Set the clothespin on top of the jar, centering the wick.

6. Fill the jar with the melted wax and coconut oil, leaving about an inch of room at the top. Reposition the clothespin to make sure the wick is centered.

7. Let the wax harden for about 1-2 hours, then remove the clothespin and trim the wick to 1/2 inch inch in length. Light your candle or screw on the lid and store in a cool cabinet until ready to use.

Tip: To clean your jars after using them, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and pop them in the oven at 200F. Let them warm up until the beeswax melts and turns back to liquid form. Once the beeswax has completely melted, remove the baking tray from the oven and carefully wipe the containers clean with a paper towel. You may have to repeat this a few times to get the container completely clean, but after a few goes the jars should be good as new!