What Happens If You Overheat Candle Wax?

What Happens If You Overheat Candle Wax

Candle making is an art, but you need to make sure you make this art carefully. There are several different ingredients and several things that can go wrong when you are making the candle. For example, you need to heat the wax to melt it and you run the risk of overheating it if the temperature is too high or the wax stays on the burner for too long. 

If you overheat candle wax, you will be dealing with a safety issue. The wax can catch fire, change color, the chemistry can be changed, the wax might separate, and you might notice that it smells burnt. You can also notice overheating after you make your candle, which will likely be due to an issue with the wick. 

Heating wax to make a candle is easy when you know how to do it, but it can be tricky to find the right temperature and length of time to get the wax to melt without burning. After you go through the process a few times, you will have a much easier time and you can prevent overheating the wax. 

Can You Overheat Candle Wax? 

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It is possible to overheat your wax. This can happen if you don’t use a double broiler or use the right temperature to melt the wax. The best temperature is about 185 degrees Fahrenheit with a max of 200 degrees and a minimum of 175 degrees. Any higher than 200 degrees and you risk overheating the wax. 

It is also possible to overheat one part of the wax and not another. If you aren’t heating your wax evenly, you will end up with hot spots and cool spots. The hot spots have the potential to melt faster than the cool spots, putting the hot spots at risk of overheating. 

You can also overheat a candle by placing the wick improperly. When the wick isn’t placed in the right spot of the candle, you will notice the candle experiencing localized overheating. This can cause uneven temperatures inside the candle. 

Whether you are a beginner or expert, we recommend using soy candle wax for all your candle making needs. This soy candle wax by American Soy Organics comes in bead form allowing them to easily melt. This wax can even be melted in the microwave allowing you to perform your projects with less equipment.

What Happens If You Overheat Wax? 

There are several things that will happen to the wax if you overheat it. First, the wax might be prone to tunneling when you burn it. This means that it will melt in a different way instead of pooling the wax like other candles will.  

Another problem with overheating your candle wax is the poor fragrance you will experience. This will mostly happen when you add in your fragrance at a temperature that is too high. The oil won’t mix properly with the candle wax, so you won’t get a very even scent throughout the candle. 

The wax might not properly adhere to the glass container you are trying to put it in. This can cause wet spots in the container due to it drying improperly. This can happen if the wax is overheated and being put into a container that is too cool. 

You might also notice the candle frosting. This means that your colored candle is turning white. This can be frustrating to see after you worked so hard to make the candle, so pay close attention to the wax when you are melting it. 

Discoloration, cracking, and rough tops are also symptoms of your wax being overheated. This will leave you with a weak candle that won’t last long or withstand much. Always make sure you are paying close attention to your melting wax to prevent overheating. 

If you are noticing your candle overheating when you are burning it, this is likely due to the wick being improperly placed. This type of overheating will distribute the temperature unevenly throughout the candle and potentially crack the container that your candle is in. It is important to make sure the wick is always placed properly. 

Why Is It Dangerous to Overheat the Candle Wax? 

Overheating candle wax is dangerous because it has the potential to catch on fire. If the temperature of the wax gets too high, there is a very possible chance that the wax will ignite. If the wax does catch on fire, you need to take care of the fire quickly and safely. 

If your wax does happen to catch on fire, it is extremely important that you do not try to put the fire out with water. Wax will react like a pan or oven fire, so it will just spread if you try to use water. 

Instead, you need to shut the heat off immediately and cover the flames with a saucepan lid, fire blanket, or damp cloth. Give the wax plenty of time to cool down completely before you remove the lid or cloth. If you don’t wait long enough, the flames can reignite.  

What Temperature Should I Pour Candle Wax? 

The temperature that you pour wax will depend on the type of wax you are using. Soy wax should be poured between 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Paraffin wax needs to be poured at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  

If the wax is too hot when you pour it, you might have a hard time getting the candle out of the mold when you need to. The best way to get the candles out is to let them cool a little longer. It is not recommended to put them in the fridge or freezer to cool faster because this can cause cracks. 

After you finish heating the wax, you should let it sit for just a few minutes before you try to pour it into your mold. You don’t want to let it sit for too long or the wax will harden before you can pour it. Do not let it sit any longer than five minutes before you pour it, but always check the temperature first. If you need to warm it back up some, you can. 

Should I Pour Wax Out of My Candle? 

If you’ve been pouring wax out of your candle as you burn it, you will be shocked to learn that’s not actually what you’re supposed to do. The pool of melted wax is supposed to be there and even helps keep your flame burning and your fragrance coming. When the candle stops burning, the melted wax will harden back up.  

If you want to pour out your candle wax because the candle is getting uneven, there is a simple solution for this. You need to make sure you keep the candle burning long enough for the wax to level out. This will extend the life of your candle and your wick. 

Final Thoughts 

When you are into making your own candles, you need to make sure you are heating the wax properly. There are some instances where you might expose the wax to a temperature that is too high and end up overheating it. When you overheat the wax, chances are you will be able to tell right away. 

Sometimes you might notice that the wax smells burnt while you are melting it. This will be most common when you are heating the wax unevenly or not paying attention to it.

Overheating also has an impact on the final product that you get and how the candle burns. 

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