Making Beeswax Candles

My first foray into making beeswax candles was not very successful. In that first failed attempt I had tried to make a pillar candle using melted beeswax but struggled with getting a wick size large enough for it to burn properly.

Then I saw some natural beeswax sheets that were made from wax that was filtered to remove impurities to allow it to burn cleanly. There was also a tutorial on how to make rolled beeswax candles. Surely this time it would get a better result.

• Use a whole sheet or place the sheet on a cutting mat and cut to the required height.
• I used a large CDN28 wick this time.
• Cut the wick so it is 5mm longer than the beeswax sheet. Lay the wick along the edge of the beeswax sheet and carefully crimp the wax over the wick with your fingers.
• You may need to warm the wax very gently with a hairdryer to make it soft and pliable. Room temperature was alright for me.
• Applying even pressure with both hands, begin to roll the candle using your palms, making sure to keep straight so the bottom of the candle will be even when it is completely rolled.
• Add further sheets and continue rolling until the desired thickness is reached. (I discovered however that 2 sheets is the optimum thickness for clean burning. Although I like the look of the thicker candles, the wax does not burn well and spills down the sides.)
• Press the seam (edge) of the sheet down to keep it from unrolling (if necessary heat again to stick it down).