How to Heat Soy for Candles

Soy candles last longer and burn cleaner than candles made from other substances. They are easy to make at home and don't need many complicated supplies. Before adding dye and fragrance, you must heat the soy.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Soy wax
• Double boiler or pan
• Stirring implement
• Thermometer

Instructions

1. Line the floor around your stove with paper to protect it against accidental spills.

2. Measure the soy wax and place it in a pan or the top pan in a double boiler. Crafting candle makers usually prefer the double boiler rather than other methods, because they aren't as likely to burn the wax. If you use a pan sitting directly on the heat source, you must stir the wax constantly so that it doesn't burn or heat too quickly.

3. Melt the wax slowly on a medium heat and stir as it melts. Insert a glass thermometer in the wax so that you can be sure it doesn't get too hot while melting. The ideal temperature is around 150 to 160 degrees F. The wax is ready for dye and fragrance when it achieves a liquid state without any clumps.

Tips & Warnings

• Make pouring the wax into its final container easier by melting the wax in something that has both a handle and a spout.

• Don'tlet the wax reach a temperature above 350 degrees F. It will flash fire at that temperature.