Making candles from beeswax: From heating the combs to casting
The production of beeswax candles is a wonderful combination of nature, traditional craftsmanship and creativity. Beeswax, which bees produce to build their combs, is not only clean and natural, but also an ecological material that burns longer and cleaner than paraffin candles. In this blog post, I will walk you through the entire candle making process – from collecting and heating the honeycomb to actually casting the candles.
1. Collection of beeswax
The first step to making beeswax candles is getting the wax itself. Bees produce wax in special glands on their body and use it to build combs in which they store honey and raise their young. After the season, when the beekeeper collects the honey, there are combs left that the bees will no longer need. These combs are the basis for obtaining wax.
After removing the honey, the combs can be set aside and the beekeeper can decide which ones to melt for wax. Honeycombs are often dark and dirty because they contain residues of honey, propolis or bee larvae. This raw wax must first be cleaned and prepared for further use.
2. Heating the wax
Annealing is the process by which the wax is removed from the combs. There are several ways to melt beeswax, but the most common are using a steamer or double boiler.
Heating procedure:
- Place the combs in a steam heater or a pot of water.
- The water is heated to a low temperature, which melts the wax and separates it from the rest (honey, propolis, impurities).
- The melted wax is filtered through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove all impurities.
- The wax is allowed to cool, forming a solid layer of pure wax on the surface of the water.
This step can be repeated if the wax is still too dirty and further filtering is required.
3. Cleaning and remelting
Once you have clean beeswax, it needs to be re-melted so that it can be easily molded into candles. The wax should melt slowly at a temperature between 60-80°C. For melting you can use the same methods as for heating - a double pot or a wax melter, making sure not to heat the wax too high as it could damage and burn.
4. Preparation of the mold and wick
Before actually casting the candles, it is important to prepare the molds and wicks:
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Molds: Silicone molds are most often used for beeswax candles, which allow easy casting and removal of the finished candle. Forms can range from simple shapes to more complex designs such as animals, flowers or decorative patterns.
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Wicks: When choosing a wick, it is important to choose the right thickness depending on the diameter of the candle. The wick should be made of cotton and not treated with chemicals to preserve the naturalness of the candle. The wick must be fixed into the mold, which is often done with a wooden mallet or metal holder placed on top of the mold.
5. Candle casting
Once you have the wax melted and the molds ready, you can start casting:
- Slowly pour the melted wax into the mold, making sure the wick stays centered in the middle.
- When pouring, it is important to pour the wax slowly and evenly to minimize the formation of bubbles or voids.
- After filling the mold, let the candle cool and harden. This process can take several hours to all night, depending on the size of the candle and the ambient temperature.
6. Removing the candle and final adjustments
After the candle has completely cooled, carefully remove the mold. You can further adjust the candle - cut the wick to the desired length (usually 0.5 cm) and possibly polish the candle if there are small impurities or irregularities on its surface.
Conclusion
Making candles from beeswax is a fascinating process that requires patience and precision, but the result is worth it. Beeswax candles are not only ecological and biodegradable, they also smell wonderful and have a long life. This traditional craft practice brings respect for nature and provides a great way to use the products of beekeeping to create something special. If you feel like trying your hand at making candles yourself, it will definitely bring you a lot of joy and satisfaction!
