How to Make Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is used in the packaging of many different kinds of foods. Fruits, candy and vegetables use paraffin wax as a way to prevent water loss as well as prevent the food from spoiling quickly. Paraffin wax will also give your edible creations an attractive shiny looking appearance.
Paraffin wax is not only used as an additive to foods. Paraffin wax is also used in many types of beauty treatments. Paraffin wax has the ability to make your skin smooth as well as very soft. Paraffin wax is often added to a bath to achieve this effect.
Although you can buy paraffin wax at many stores, you can also make your own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Incubator Paraffin Purified beeswax Molds

1. Purchase a package of paraffin. Make sure that the paraffin that you purchase has been manufactured for your intended purpose. For a food additive, choose paraffin that is edible. You can usually find paraffin at supermarkets or specialty food stores.
   The same goes for spa paraffin wax. You will not want to use the household type that is used to make candles.

2. Use an incubator to melt the paraffin that you have selected. Once the package has melted, transfer the paraffin to a new container while leaving behind the water.

3. Add a small amount of purified beeswax to the paraffin, about 1/20th of the mixture. Place the mixture in molds and cool it down quickly by submerging it in cold water. Your paraffin wax will then be ready for use.
   With the spa paraffin, you can add scents (like lavender) to the paraffin before including it in the bath.

4. Create a large supply of paraffin wax. Making your own paraffin wax is not only easy, but also cost effective. You can make a large stock of the paraffin wax and keep it within molds until you are ready to use it. In order to add the paraffin to your recipes, measure out the amount that you need and then slowly melt it on your stove top or at a low power level within your microwave. The wax can keep for several months as long as it is kept out of high temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• Some novice cooks worry about the paraffin wax giving a funny taste to their food. The paraffin wax does not have a noticeable taste and will not affect the deliciousness of your creations.
• Paraffin wax is flammable at extremely high temperatures, so practice caution when handling. Warm gently in order to prevent the wax from overheating. Paraffin wax does not necessarily have the same ingredients as other types of paraffin. Some types, like the ones for candle making are not meant to be ingested.