DIY Beeswax Candles

Learn how to make 100% beeswax candles in this quick and easy candle making tutorial. I'm using organic beeswax from my hives. Beeswax candles are easy to make, smell great, burn great, and make great gifts so mind your own beeswax today.
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For candle molds, wicks, and candle making supplies check out:
Betterbee - www.betterbee.c...
Mann Lake - www.mannlakelt...
Solar wax melter design plans - www.michiganbee...

[@hdb80]

Bees are really, truly special creatures. We need to protect them and care for them! Ingenius little things!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Right on!

[@donaldjones3580]

Love the Pesto Cooker trick, much better then messing with a double boiler. BTW put a white paper towel over the solar wax melt drain hole(s), wax is really clean when it drops in the collection container.

[@jrccandleco7939]

An oldie but a goodie!!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks! Classic hits all the time.

[@DrRZ2088]

Wonderful video! Now I just need the bees!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks so much, and yes, you should definitely get yourself some bees!

[@thesquad2]

Love what you do i really want to get bees my self but saving money up for a couple of hives and hope to make candles with the bees wax

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks so much. I hope you do get those bees and make some candles. Good luck to you!

[@kristikuttner]

Wow you crack me up! Awesome video! Thank you :) I just started making beeswax candles and I am loving them so far!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Glad you enjoyed it and got a laugh. Beeswax candles are the best and seem like they might jive pretty well with your work/life.

[@kristikuttner]

@@ClaussVideoArchive Yes they are pretty wonderful and my home smells like honey! Now I'm figuring out the wick sizes......

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Yes, that part can be tricky and a little confusing. Here's an article and chart that help me out - www.beeculture.com/the-right-size-wick/ Some companies that sell molds list the recommended wick size for each mold in the item description, but most leave it to guess work.

[@sandywest4299]

i love your video. great and easy teaching. i wish i had enough money to get a mold. im on ssi d. tyvm. you are awesome

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Well thanks for the kind words. The molds are so expensive. I don't think I'll buy anymore. I'm pretty happy with the ones I have currently. The nice thing about them is that they will last for a long time and hopefully I can get the money spent on molds back from selling some candles. Best of luck to you!

[@jeffreyulrich132]

Super informative video. I wish I had known that I could use old beeswax frames which also contained dead bees. Threw it away after scraping out my hive. Damn!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

The older the comb, the less wax you will get from it, but even the oldest, nastiest comb is usually good for some amount of wax. At least now you know for next time. Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!

[@JessicaLee.3]

My brother in law has his own apiary and mostly just sells the honey and beeswax. I find the process completely fascinating and wish he did stuff like this too. I can't wait to watch some of your other videos. My small channel is now backing yours.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks so much. Beekeeping is pretty fascinating and provides lots of different projects to fill all the time I don't have.

[@tubeonline629]

If you don't have bee hives you can buy bees wax at Hobby Lobby that is cleaned, but it's about 15.00 usd per pound.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Yes, you can also buy beeswax from the two beekeeping companies I linked to in the video description, but real beeswax is going to be fairly expensive wherever you buy it. It takes bees a long time to make all of that wax. Thanks for the comment!

[@jarladin8501]

Clauss Video Archive I got Murray's Beeswax (made for hair) Would that work?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

No, it wouldn't work. That stuff is more petroleum product than anything else. Best to keep it away from fire. It has an intentionally misleading label that leads people to believe that it is 100% beeswax.

[@jillgross543]

Awesome! I make soy candles and have been thinking of adding beeswax candles to my line. Seems like fun! Gotta find a guy locally with hives now!

[@borttorbbq2556]

Talk to bee keepers at a local farmers market they might have wax or comb you can buy

[@grundletaint2161]

I have never eaten honey before, and I am eating raw honey comb in a jar today. It leaves a large ball of leftover wax and I’m wondering if I can mush it all around a wick and make a “shrek earwax” type candle out of it?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Yes you can. If it has any honey left in it then it might pop and crackle when it is lit and may not burn well, but will probably burn. Good luck with your Shrek earwax candle.

[@annacherry6035]

Had the same very idea for a while !😆

[@alystairmabloch401]

Thank you for this video it's cool to see what beeswax actually look like coming out of the hive and your method for cleaning it. Pretty cool. And your garage must smell so nice... :)

[@pierredelamour8694]

Dsmn you're hammer stoned filming that. And I'm watching it. 🐻👍

[@erikaojeda1962]

Beautiful work

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thank you very much!

[@jenna4029]

Hi. Can you tell me which tealight molds you bought and used you tealights came out perfect. Was it from Mannlake or betterbee?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

It is Candle Flex®️ mold PM-778. I'm about 90% sure that I got it from Mann Lake. It makes 8 tealights and uses a size 2/0 wick. Aside from wick and wax you need a small metal wick holder disc to sit on the bottom of each candle. Best of luck to you!

[@jenna4029]

@@ClaussVideoArchive I ordered the Tealight molds. I'm curious to know how you keep the wicks straight when you pour in the wax? I usually dip the wick in wax first to keep it straight but since it silicone it doesn't stick.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I buy tiny little metal tea light wick holders. They sit flat on the bottom of the mold and you stick the short precut wick into it before pouring. They work well. You can buy them with or without wick already in them.

[@lr3909]

Great video. The link for the solar melter does not work, do you have more info on where to get this or how to make it?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

They must have taken it down. Here's a design from a beekeeper forum. - www.beesource.com/threads/solar-wax-melter.365758/ Here are a couple of other options from some bee supply vendors I've used in the past. www.betterbee.com/wax-processing/lyhpw3247-solar-wax-melter.asp www.mannlakeltd.com/education-crafts-gifts/wooden-solar-wax-melter/?sku=WW171

[@CarmenBota]

Hello, loved the video, looks so easy but I am wondering if, after setting the temperature to 200F, for how long did you let the water-wax mixture boil after releasing the water? Any specific temperature for pouring? Thank you in advance

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Hi Carmen. Thanks for the question. After you release the water you can turn off the heat. The wax is ready to pour into the molds at that same temperature. I usually just make sure that it is all melted first so that nothing clogs up the valve.

[@emmay1949]

This is sooo helpful thank you !

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Glad to hear it. Good luck with your candles!

[@hadiahafeez259]

Very nice

Call me a geek but I think bee keeping is looking fun

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Call me a geek too then I guess.

[@ilittlelolo400]

I think you mean beek

[@pathlesstaken7620]

Great video!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnhill2934]

You should try doing a video of how to make dipped long and medium candles lenth.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I've never tried making dipped candles. From what I've seen you dip them in a deep container of melted wax and then in a deep container of water and repeat this process many times. If you have a large enough container you can make quite a few candles all at once. There are some good videos out there on KZbin, but if I ever try it I'll be sure to make a video. Thanks for the comment!

[@chocolatesugar4434]

My votive beeswax candle always collapses if I use a cotton wick. What size wick do you use for votives? Thanks 😊

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks for the question. The place where I bought the mold recommends a 44-24 Zinc Core Wire, but I use a 2/0 ply cotton wick for votives because I'm not a fan of the metal core wicks. Usually works pretty well. Good luck!

[@SENelson0313]

Great video! 🐝✨

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. Happy candle making.

[@rrketc2]

Good info, nice tutorial; thanks! Do you ever mix the beeswax with coconut oil to lower the burn temp?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thank you. I've never tried mixing the beeswax with anything else. If you do, let us know how it turns out.

[@rrketc2]

Yes, I did it just now. The flame burns way cooler so it burns smooth and bright. Might try cocoa butter next. Try it out, about 10% is all you need.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Great to know. Maybe we'll try this in our next candle making session. Thanks so much for the reply and advice!

[@tashagarraway1279]

Do you need to add water? Can you melt it without? I dont have the pour spout you have and my diy skills arnt that good.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

If you are using really clean wax then you can do this without water. The water helps separate out some of the debris and honey that is still left in my wax after it comes out of the hive and goes through the solar melter.

[@tashagarraway1279]

@@ClaussVideoArchive ok thanks. The wax I got is pretty cleen. Plus I filtered it.

[@shadowofwolves777]

Omg! Awesome Thank you

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

You are very welcome! Happy candle making and thanks for watching.

[@christies4963]

Can you add food coloring or a coloring of some sort to change the colors? I'm sure there must be a way to keep them organic and " be creative" with them...love the video.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Unfortunately, a water-based food coloring would not work as it is not soluble in the beeswax. I'm sure that organic dyes exist although you may have a difficult time finding them. A quick search for "organic candle dyes" or "natural candle dyes" comes up with some possible solutions (some DYI options). There are lots of non-organic options from dye chips to oil-based liquid dyes available. If you are going to be using beeswax for the candles I would recommend using the lightest color wax you have or can get. The wax from honeycomb cappings is the purest and lightest in color (almost white). It may be more expensive, but will be much easier to dye. Good luck and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Smile7865]

make a video showing how you made the twisted candles plzz

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

No special trick to the twisted candle. It is just a twisted mold. It is a little more difficult to remove the twisted candles from the molds than a straight candle, but with a little care and patience they come out looking great.

[@brujoloco7726]

Awesome! Where did you purchased the molds?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I got all of the molds, wicks, and candle making suppliesat the following two beekeeping supply companies: Betterbee - www.betterbee.com/candle-making/candle-making.asp Mann Lake - www.mannlakeltd.com/shop-all-categories/candle-wine-and-soap-making/candle-making I highly recommend both.

[@jenna4029]

@@ClaussVideoArchive Hi. Can you tell me which tealight molds you bought and used? Was it from Mannlake or betterbee?

[@ShelleyArtist]

Where do you get your molds?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Better Bee, Mann Lake, or Blue Sky Bee Supply

[@happybutterfly7319]

Hi there! So, I have been trying different wicks and I get tunneling on every candle, not sure if the wicks are not good enough or the beeswax is not filtered correctly. Do you happen to experience the same problem? How do you filter your wax for candle making? Thanks for the shared links!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

You are welcome. Sounds like it could be an undersized wick. What diameter candle are you burning and what size wick? I haven't experienced this issue, but then again most of the candles I make are under 3" in diameter. Beeswax is slow burning wax so for wider diameter candles you have to let it burn for a quite a while to melt out to the edge and prevent tunneling. The only filtering I do is what you see in the video, first through some wire mesh in the solar melter and then through some fine nylon mesh (old pantyhose work well).

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Also I was going to say that the Mannlake website in the video description gives recommended wick sizes for each mold they sell.

[@ileanareyes3973]

so to make them a certain color like purple red or blue ect you just add food dye?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Unfortunately food dye wont work because it is a water-based day. Wax and water do not mix. You can buy wax-soluble dye online or at a craft store like Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Good luck.

[@mikemakertheretrogamer6414]

Where did you get the molds for the candle making

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I bought all of the molds, wicks, and candle making supplies at the following two beekeeping companies: Betterbee - www.betterbee.com/candle-making/candle-making.asp Mann Lake - www.mannlakeltd.com/shop-all-categories/candle-wine-and-soap-making/candle-making They also sell wax if you need it. I highly recommend both companies. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@nicolekim5587]

Where do you buy your molds?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I get most of my molds from Betterbee or Mann Lake. (links in video description)

[@mae1126]

Hi there, i read that u should mix the beewax with coconut oil to make a candle, what would u say about it?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Hi Pauline, I have never tried to make that type of candle, but I have seen several recipes for them online. From what I've read coconut wax burns slowly and cleanly (similar to beeswax) so it seems like a good combination. If you try it let us know how it works. Best of luck to you!

[@WinterPhoto2006]

@@ClaussVideoArchive I tried it and it is working great!

[@heidimichellelotusbutterfl4976]

Awesome thanks!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

You're welcome. Good luck with your candles.

[@DenHoak]

What kind or brand name of silicone spray do you use?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

ReleasaGen silicone candle mold spray. I got it from Betterbee.com Good luck to you!

[@hadiahafeez259]

Thanks 😍

[@hischild8899]

What size wicks?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Depends on the candle. Most molds will come with a recommended wick size. Some of the suppliers also list recommended wick sizes on the product sales page.

[@markcoffman9522]

Is there such a thing as inorganic beeswax?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Lots of beekeepers use chemical treatments on their colonies to control pests and disease that don't meet organic standards and a lot of those chemicals end up in the wax. So while the wax itself is made by the bees in a natural and organic way, the content of the wax can vary quite a bit.

[@markcoffman9522]

@@ClaussVideoArchive Makes sense, thanks for the info.

[@annad1942]

what size wicks do you use per different size candle??

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Some of it depends on the candle. Some molds will provide you with a recommended wick size. For the ones that don't I usually use #2 for Tapers & Votives and 60 Ply for candles with a diameter of 2" or more.

[@jinxjones1709]

How do you know the Beeswax is organic?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Great question. The answer is somewhat complex. I know that mine is mostly organic because it came from my beehives and I follow organic beekeeping practices. However, I can't guarantee that my bees did not gather nectar from some non-organic sources out there so I couldn't get my wax certified as organic. If you are using wax that you buy at a store or online it is most likely not organic or from organically managed hives. Certified organic hives are quite difficult to find because to attain organic certification for honey and wax you have to prove that your bees feed only on organic sources , which is unfortunately very difficult to do in the world in which we live. Your best bet is to find a local organic beekeeper and purchase the wax directly from them.

[@jinxjones1709]

@@ClaussVideoArchive thank you for the info

[@beebob1279]

If you're gong to make a lot of candles, instead of cutting the wick and re-wicking the mould there's an easier way. Keep the wick attached to the wick spool. When you pull the candle out the mould leaving the wick attached and to the spool it re-wicks itself. You cut the wick to release the candle and you're ready to pour another candle without using the wicking needle. Your moulds will last much longer this way and it speeds up the process. Oh, I bet your wax isn't organic. It's natural because someone in your neighborhood is using chemicals on their lawn. No more organic. You should look into getting certified if you feel it's organic.

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Thanks for the wick suggestion. I'm using the same size wick in several different molds and am not making enough candles to really warrant having a separate spool of wick for each candle mold I own. And yes, I am well aware that my wax probably wouldn't make organic certification. Pretty much impossible to find any that is truly "organic" these days, but what I've got is about as good as it gets.

[@mrantone916]

Hey can you add essential oil extract?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

You can add lots of stuff... essential oils, coloring, scents, etc. I'm somewhat of a purist when it comes to candles, but you can find tons of recipes for mixing it up online. Pure beeswax does have a very mild honey scent as is.

[@kalyanisri758]

I need for wax ... How munch cost?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

It depends where you are and how much you buy at once. You can find it online in the USA for around $10-15 dollars per pound. If you buy larger quantities the price per pound usually goes down. Yellow beeswax is typically less expensive than white beeswax. Yellow beeswax is good for candles. White beeswax contains fewer impurities and is usually used for cosmetics and stuff like that.

[@mim1457]

I just wish the molds weren’t so expensive 😭

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I know. I look through the catalogs and want them all, but then look at the prices - $$$ I've seen some tutorials where you can make your own, but I don't think it really saves any money. They do pay for themselves in the long run if you sell or give candles as gifts. Save up and good luck!

[@Luckingsworth]

Just use glass jars. Silicone isn't exactly good for the planet anyway.

[@shannonhicks8755]

Do you sell your beeswax?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

I haven't in the past. I would be willing to, but I'm sure you could get a much better price per pound from the beekeeping companies Mann Lake, Betterbee, Dadant, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, etc. They have a lot more product to sell.

[@RBLACKPEARL7]

CooL

[@kingbruce583]

Can someone please tell me where I can find some the non 100% organic bees. They would be less expensive. Maybe non-toxic. I know hypoallergenic that's it. I bet the millennials we'll jump right on this one.

[@jakethesnake9340]

What is the next step of your wax creations? Maybe a life-sized figure?

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

How did you know?

[@lotus_story]

stop taking my wax!

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Most all of the wax I take from the hives is burr comb or old comb that needs to be removed. I'm just making space for you to build some clean and healthy new comb. Thanks for understanding... and for the wax!

[@valhamp2002]

Don’t hold the camera, to shaky to watch. Invest in a camera stand

[@ClaussVideoArchive]

Sorry about that. We try to keep it steady. I've gone through a bunch of cheap plastic tripods in the past couple of years. It's probably time to invest in a good one.