Making Paraffin

Homemade paraffin wax can be used to make candles.

Making your own paraffin wax can save you money in the kitchen and the boudoir. Paraffin wax is used to preserve food canned at home and to keep fresh food bright and appealing. It can be used as a beauty treatment to make skin soft and moist. You also can cut costs on gifts by making homemade candles. Paraffin wax can be purchased for home use, or you can be thrifty and make your own.

Things You'll Need

• Medium saucepan
• 2 coffee cans
• Tongs or oven mitts
• Purified beeswax
• Ice cube trays (optional)
• Coffee can lid (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a double-boiler. Begin by filling a medium saucepan halfway with water. Place 1 coffee can into the water, and then put paraffin into the coffee can.

2. Melt the paraffin. Bring the water to a boil on high heat on a stove. Then turn the temperature down to medium so the paraffin will melt slowly. Once the paraffin melts, turn off the stove.

3. Wait 10 minutes to let the coffee can cool slightly.

4. Remove the cooled coffee can from the water using tongs or oven mitts.

5. Pour the paraffin out of the coffee can into a second coffee can. Leave behind any water that collected at the bottom of the first coffee can.

6. Mix a small amount of purified beeswax into the paraffin. The paraffin-to-beeswax wax ratio should be about 20-to-1.

7. Pour the paraffin-beeswax mixture into ice cube trays if it will be used in the kitchen. If you need a small amount at a time, you can melt that amount of wax ice cubes on low heat on the stove. To use the wax to make candles or for a spa treatment for hands and feet, leave it in the coffee can with the cover on.

8. Store the wax in a cool, dry place. If kept from heat and humidity, it can remain fresh for several months.

Tips & Warnings

• Paraffin can be purchased at most grocery stores and craft supply stores.

• Purified beeswax is generally available at craft supply stores.

• Use the correct type of paraffin wax. Some types are not meant to be ingested and should not be used with food. Check the label on the package for information.

• Heat paraffin slowly under low heat because it is flammable at very high temperatures. Handle it with caution.

• Always keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

References

• Peak Candle Supplies: Wax Melting Instructions--Focus on Safety
• "Micscape Magazine;" Preparing Your Own Paraffin Wax; Yvan Lindekens; January 2007