subject: Candle Making and Wax Safety [print this page] Making Candles is a most satisfying hobbyMaking Candles is a most satisfying hobby. In no time at all, you can take white pellets of wax and transform them into a pleasingly shaped, beautifully colored, fragrant candle. To be sure, there are a few obstacles that must be overcome when making a candle. Wax safety is one of the biggest roadblocks. Actually, I should more clearly explain that getting burns or starting fires as a result of not safely handling wax is the real problem.
This article explains how to work with wax safely so that you can focus freely on the more pleasant aspects of making candles.
Wax is a lipid that is, a fat. To understand the implications of this, think about grilling steaks over an open flame. The fat on the steaks starts out white; as it is heated, it turns translucent, then clear. Once it becomes a liquid, then it falls off the meat into the open flame, quickly ignites, and you get a flare-up. When you are making a candle, wax behaves the same way. It starts out solid, then gets soft, and turns to liquid. This is the point where a flare-up aka kitchen fire could occur. You really don't want that to happen.
Having a flaming pot of wax is not on any candlemaker's agenda, yet it is can happen easily. The good news is that it can be prevented or extinguished nearly just as easily.
Priority Number one: Have a fire extinguisher nearby.
When you melt wax in a pot, there are two required accessories. First is a thermometer, and second is a lid that completely covers the pot. You see, once the wax has melted, its appearance doesn't change much as the temperature increases. You need to use a thermometer to distinguish between wax that has just passed its melting point (approximately 135 F or 57 C) and wax that is quite close to its flash point (approximately 390 F or 199 C). (The flash point is where the wax produces vapors that will readily ignite.) For these reasons, you should never walk away from melting wax not even just to use the washroom. If you have to step away from the stove, then turn off the heat first. If the pour point of your wax is below 212 F (100 C) then use a double boiler. This will keep the wax from exceeding the temperature of the boiling point of water.
If the wax does catch on fire, then use the lid of the pot to smother the flames. Simply cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let the pot sit for several minutes. The lack of oxygen will cause the flames to die out; you can then resume your candlemaking activities. Do NOT put water on the flaming wax.
If needed, use your fire extinguisher. If the fire gets out of hand, then leave the house and call 911 from a neighbor's house.
Are you scared yet? I hope so,
If you use a thermometer to continually monitor the temperature of the wax; and if you never leave the melting wax unattended, a fire is highly unlikely.
As for getting burned by hot wax, this too is preventable. Wear heat-resistant gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe leather shoes. Wear safety glasses.
Candle making involves danger, but so can other hobbies (want to go hang gliding?).
Now that you understand the consequences of not being safe, however, you can take precautions and make preparations to deploy in case of an emergency. Then you can enjoy this hobby without injury.
