Heating wax with care
Double boilers, melters, and staying with the heat.
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Indirect heat
A double boiler heats wax in an inner pot over hot water. A wax melter is an appliance made to melt wax. Use each as its maker's instructions say.
Stay with it
The U.S. Fire Administration says to stand by your pan, and to turn the burner off if you leave the kitchen. It says to turn the burner off if you see any smoke. Its advice is written for cooking; we apply it to wax heated on a stove.
Know the numbers
A candle thermometer helps you watch temperature. Use the wax and fragrance makers' instructions for temperatures. OSHA says the SDS lists flash point in Section 9.
If a pot catches fire
The U.S. Fire Administration says to keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby and use it to cover a pan that catches fire. NFPA says to slide the lid over the pan, turn off the burner, and never throw water on the fire. If the fire does not go out, or you are not comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, NFPA says to get everyone out and call the fire department from outside.
FAQ
General information only. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. When you heat wax, stay with it, and turn off the heat if you leave or see smoke. Never use water on a wax fire. If you can do so safely, slide a lid over the pot and turn off the heat; if the fire does not go out, get everyone out and call 911 from outside. Read and follow the Safety Data Sheet and instructions from the maker of every wax, wick, fragrance oil, and dye you use.
Next: flash point
What the SDS number means.
