If you are looking for a fun way to make your own natural candles, you are at the right place. This DIY Beeswax Candle Recipe is a tutorial for creating a simple quick candle. This natural wax comes from honey bees and is clean burning with little smoke or soot. It can also be mixed with other types of oils to create a special candle blend. Learn how to make your own candles with beeswax and have fewer toxins in your home.
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Homemade Beeswax Candles
Making beeswax candles is not a difficult task, why would anyone need a recipe? Well, there are many different ways to use beeswax– including candle projects.
And while making candles with beeswax is not complicated, there are some important tips you need to know. Sometimes, candles are just “eye candy”. We might say they are too pretty to burn.
But, if you ever plan to actually use your candle or give it to someone who might, it is important to follow the proper instructions for making them.
They are not cheap and buying them constantly can be rather expensive. Why not make your own for a fraction of the cost.
Materials
These instructions show you how to make a diy beeswax candle using a jar container. There are many ways to create candles. Some are more complicated than others and may require practice to get the best results.
- beeswax
- coconut oil
- cotton wick
- containers
Beeswax
Raw unbleached beeswax makes the cleanest burning candles if it is clean. You can purchase it online or buy from a local beekeeper. If you have your own hives, you probably have some wax left over from the honey harvest.
Beeswax is available in different colors naturally. However, if you buy white beeswax, (or white store-bought candles) it has likely been bleached. Expect various shades of beige-gold and yellow beeswax straight from the hive.
No matter the source. You must have clean wax or your candles will not burn well. Clean your beeswax before starting this project if you have any doubt. Beeswax pellets are usually ready to use.
Beekeepers often use a solar wax melter (or similar process) to block up their raw wax. But, this is not enough for good candle burning.
Coconut Oil
I adore pure beeswax candles but there are some situations where adding another wax or oil has advantages.
When creating a container candle – the mix of coconut oil promotes a cooler burn temperature than you would have with wax alone. Coconut oil is a favorite blend but some people use soy wax too.
Sometimes you can find coconut oil at the local grocery and save on shipping costs. However, it can be purchased online also.
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Candle Wicks
Beeswax candles do not burn exactly like other types. Known for their long burn time, pure beeswax candles are virtually dripless when used in a draft free location.
But, they require a larger wick size. Even with the mix of coconut oil in the blend – I prefer to use the size 2/0 (medium size) for jar sized candles.
Containers
This tutorial uses a small metal clip and hinge jar- I found some at Hobby Lobby. You can also use small canning jars.
Mason jars are homey looking and readily available. Try to choose one with a wider mouth – we need some oxygen to get down in there for a good flame.
My jars hold about 6-7 ounces of the beeswax candle recipe each. You will need to adjust your recipe to fit the size of jar you choose to use. Don’t panic – you can remelt and reuse the mix if you have too much or not enough.
Expert Tips
By making your own candles, you can avoid exposure to possible carcinogens that may be present in paraffin candles. When you make your own – you know what is in them and can reduce the number of chemicals in your home.
This project simply involves melting and pouring into a glass jar. It is a great choice because everyone has access to glass jars and they are relatively inexpensive.
You can melt your waxes in a microwave but I do not recommend it. It is much safer to use a double boiler set up. This involves a small pan just for the wax mixture inside a larger saucepan with water. It is always best to have dedicated wax project pots!
Some crafters use wick stickers to hold the wick down into the bottom of the jar. I don’t usually need to do this because I prepare the wick (as shown in the tutorial) in advance. Another option, it a bit of melted wax or a hot glue gun.
Wax Blends
Now, more about other waxes that we can add into our beeswax candle recipe? Wait a second -if pure candles made of 100% beeswax are so great, why would anyone want to mix in other waxes or oils?
There is actually a sound reason for this. One of the benefits of beeswax candles is that they bright and hot. This is a great thing for candle tapers (even hand dipped beeswax candles).
But, the high burn temperature may be a bit too much for glass containers. By adding a bit of coconut oil or soy warm – we can still get a nice candle without having quite as much heat.
Can You Add Essential Oils?
Sure, essential oils or fragrance oils can be included in your list of ingredients if you wish. Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Pine and Orange are popular choices. However, I normally do not include extra scent -instead preferring the natural aroma.
Essential oils are awesome in these adorable bee shaped beeswax soy tarts and they can be added to regular beeswax melts too.
For a seasonal theme and a great way to promote recycling – you can use empty eggs shells as candle molds too.
How to Use
When using your candle, it is always best to let it burn for a little while. Staying lit long enough for the top of the candle to create a nice pool of wax results in a better burning candle.
Many short burn times can create a tunnel in your candle with the area around the wick burning down lower than the rest of the body.
Don’t waste any of your wax, it is precious stuff. Honey bees make wax after consuming large amounts of food.
The colony requires a lot of resources to be good wax producers. This is why beeswax can be rather costly.
If you want to add a elegant twist to your creations, check out this tutorial for adding dried flowers to candles. They are different and have a special charm.
DIY Beeswax Candles Make Great Gifts
Once your candle project is completed, you may want to share them with a few friends for special occasions. If you gift them, be sure to tell the recipient that they are receiving a special handmade product.
Save any wax you have left over, it lasts forever. Beeswax has many other practical uses – its good to keep some on hand. Make your own beeswax furniture polish – a little dab will do the job.
Or, if this candle craft has “lit a creative urge” in your soul, try some of these beeswax crafts. Homemade lip balm is an inexpensive and fun diy project.
Also, beeswax body butter is sure to help everyone get through the dry skin months of the year. There is a lot you can do.
One of the cutest way to use small amounts of wax is to make diy seashell candles from shells collected on your last beach vacation. They make great gifts.
Conclusion
You don’t need a complicated recipe for diy beeswax candles but some basic instructions can help your chances of success.
The easiest candle project must be rolled beeswax candle tapers that are praised for their elegance and simplicity. Even children can make these.
You can even make Christmas Tree Shaped Candles with sheets of wax. But, rolled candles do burn quickly – they are really more for aesthetics than practical use.
DIY Beeswax Candle Recipe Tutorial
Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC
Easy step by step instructions for making your own diy beeswax candles in a glass jar. The mix of beeswax and coconut oil creates a unique candle blend that burns well.
4.25 from 4 votes
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Tools
small glass jars
Supplies
- 8 oz beeswax net wt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 wicks cotton candle wick 2/0
- 1 bottle essential oil of your choice (optional)
Instructions
Melt beeswax in a double boiler pot (or equivalent insert). It is always a good idea to have a pot dedicated to wax crafting.
Using the double boiler method involved having water in the bottom pot with wax in the top. This makes melting beeswax much easier and safer.
Once the beeswax is completely melted – add in the measured amount of coconut oil and stir.
When making candles, I prefer to “pickle the wick”. Prior to setting in the jar, I dunk the wick into the melting beeswax.
Remove wick and stretch to a straight shape – let cool a minute or so. This makes it much easier to work with.
Prepare your wick by wrapping one end around a wooden bamboo skewer, pencil or craft stick. The wick should hang down into the bottom of the jar – center it in the middle as much as possible.
Remove the melted wax from heat and add the desired essential oil. About 50-100 drops . Lighter fragrances may require more for a stronger scent. This involves a bit of personal preference.
Slowly pour wax into your prepared containers. Keep the wick centered as well as you can.
If possible, the container should be on a counter space where they can be left undisturbed for a couple of hours to cool. Leave a bit of head space at the top of the container.
Once candle is cool, trim with to 1/4″. This allows for cleaner burning.
Notes
- I recommend warming the glass jars prior to setting the wicks.
- Once the wax is poured into the jar – leave is sitting still until the surface has cooled.
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