Benefits:
1. Quick and easy
2. Requires little or no practice
Drawbacks
1. Not easily portable - require substantial equipment if doing this in public
Materials
1. Fire extinguisher - you must have a dry chemical fire extinguisher (ABC type) if you are using this technique
2. Double boiler setup - this can be either a commercial double boiler or just a pot set inside another pot. The pot used to hold the wax should have a handle and pour spout for convenience.
3. Heat Source - a stove or hot plate. if electricity not available, then a propane camp stove may be used
4. Thermometer - you must monitor wax temperature
5. Water source - you must have enough water to maintain pot of boiling water for the duration of the fair
6. Protected area - you must have a way of isolating customer from hot wax, stoves, pots, etc...this must also be stable as it as hazardous if knocked over
7. Paraffin wax - this can be some of your granulated wax, or less expensive pure paraffin wax
Do not try this technique without reading the safety instruction.
Step 1
Prepare the double boiler - put several inches of water in the outer (larger) pot. Place on heat source. Add wax to the inner (smaller) pot and place inside the outer pot. This will not be usable for food again, so don't use your good cookware.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Never place a pot of wax on direct heat! Never let all the water boil off - check it often!
Step 2
Place the thermometer in the wax pot. Try to regulate the heat so that the wax stay at about 150 - 160 degrees F. Pouring it too hot will cause it to soak in too much. Pouring too cool will prevent it from flowing properly. It may necessary to adjust the wax temperature depending on the ambient temperature. On hot days you can pour a bit cooler, on cold days you may need to pour a bit hotter.
Step 3
Once the wax is melted pour it across the top of the candle allowing it to flow to all edges.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Use caution when handling hot wax!
Step 4
Allow the wax to cool and the candle is complete
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
Never let the customer handle the candle until the wax has cooled! Read more.
