Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Honey isn't the only benefit of raising bees. Their wax can be used in home and health products, freeing you
to be self-sufficient in even more ways.
(Photo courtesy of Emma Jane Hogbin)
Candles
Beeswax candles are more than just fragrant. They actually create a static electricity reaction that
pulls pollens and other unpleasantries out of the air. Easy and cheap to make (if you source your
own wax), this makes candles a must-create with your wax harvest.
The simplest method is to pour melted beeswax into an old glass container that has one or more
wicks laying in it, usually with a weight at the bottom to hold them in. A wick, by the way, can be
any cord. Hemp works well. Allow the wax to set until completely hardened, and then trim the wicks.
To make tapered candles, cut your wick a little more than twice as long as you need it to be. Dip
each end of the wick into the melted wax, and then hang it up by the middle, undipped part of the
wick. Make sure it is over something to catch the drips. If you are worried about the wick falling
straight, you can tie a washer to each end of the cord to keep it from curling up.
It will only take a minute or so for the new layer to dry. As soon as it dries, dip it quickly again.
Too much time in the wax will melt your layers and pull them off. Each dip should make the
candle a bit bigger. When they are the size you want, snip the middle of the wick to separate the
two and trim the wick down to size so only an inch remains exposed from the wax.
When choosing a container for melting wax, be sure that it is deep enough to dip the candle in,
even when you start to run low on wax. Remember that as your candle gets bigger, the pool of wax
in your pot will get smaller.
