Melting wax in a water bath

Wax melts at a low temperature, but it can overheat and ignite. Heating it in a water bath keeps the temperature even and keeps the wax away from direct heat. The water in the outer pan acts as a limit, so the wax cannot get much hotter than the water around it.

Steps

1. Stand a clean metal pitcher with a cool handle inside a larger pan.
2. Fill the outer pan with water to about the level of the wax that will go into the pitcher, and no higher.
3. Break large blocks of wax into smaller pieces so that they melt evenly.
4. Heat the outer pan gently, and keep the water below a hard boil.
5. Stir the wax with a clean tool until it is fully liquid and clear, with no solid flakes left.
6. Lift the pitcher out with a cloth or a tool, and set it on a surface that does not burn.

What can go wrong

• Overheating: the wax smokes, darkens, or gives off a sharp smell. Turn the heat off at once and move the pitcher away from the source of heat. Cover it with a lid if one is at hand.
• Water in the wax: the wax spits and cools with cloudy patches. Keep water away from the pitcher, and dry any tool before it touches the wax.
• Unattended wax: a pot of wax left alone is one of the most common causes of fire in a candle workshop.

The bath is working correctly when the wax is clear, free of lumps and water, and kept at a steady, moderate temperature without any smoke.