Homesteading Skills: Making Easy Soy Candles In a Slow Cooker

sustainablelivingreport | January 10, 2019 | Avoiding Toxins, Homesteading & Off-Grid Living

These easy homemade soy candles make a fun winter project – and a safe way to enjoy candlelight in your home without worrying about harmful toxins…

There’s something about the soft glow of candlelight that just makes a cold winter’s evening feel so much more cozy and special! However, most commercially available candles are made of paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that may release harmful toxins into your home – some of which are known carcinogens. However, you can avoid these toxins and still enjoy burning candles in your home if you choose safer alternatives such as beeswax or soy candles.

While you can find these types of candles available in specialty stores or online, it can be a fun winter project to make your own – and it’s easier than you may think! In fact, the recipe below explains how to make your own homemade soy candles in a regular old slow cooker – no special equipment required. This no-mess method allows you to melt the wax directly in the candle containers, so there’s nothing to clean up afterward. (And hey, if you don’t have a slow cooker, that’s fine, too! Just place your filled candle jars in a saucepan with several inches of water in the bottom, and bring it to a boil on the stove to melt the wax.)

Here’s how to make your own soy candles in a slow cooker:

Equipment & Ingredients:

Soy wax
Natural wicks
Essential oils (optional)
Small mason jars (half-pint or smaller) or non-porous heat-proof repurposed containers
A slow cooker

Instructions:

Fill the slow cooker with 2 to 3 inches of hot water.
Fill your containers or jars completely full with wax, then place them in the slow cooker with the lid on.
Turn the heat on high and allow the wax to melt, stirring occasionally. The wax will shrink down as it melts, so continue to add more wax until the jar is completely filled (leave around 1” of space at the top)
It takes about 1.5-2 hours for my slow cooker to completely melt all the wax, but yours might be slightly faster or slower, depending on the model. The good news? You don’t have to babysit the cooker at all– just walk away and come back to check when you think of it.
Once the wax is completely melted, remove the jar from the slow cooker and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. This will prevent the essential oils from flashing off if/when you add them.
If you are using essential oils, add at least 60-80 drops to each half-pint jar. You can use one scent or combine different scents (see my suggestions below)
Place the wick in the center of the container and keep it in place by winding it around a small dowel or pencil, or propping it in place with small dowels, tape, or pencils. It doesn’t really matter how you do it, just as long as it stays straight and in the center of the jar.
Allow the candles to cool and set up completely before trimming the wick to ¼-inch.

If you are using essential oils, here are some suggested scent combinations to try: