The first thing you need to remember when you’re melting the wax for your scented soy pillar candles is that it’s flammable. Duh, you’re making a candle. So be careful, have a fire extinguisher nearby, and/or be prepared to smother the fire with a wet towel or the lid of metal pot. DO NOT USE WATER to put out a soy wax fire. Soy wax is basically hydrogenated soybean oil, so it behaves the same as other oils when on fire. Oil and wax float on water. If you dump a bunch of water into a pot with burning soy wax, the water will sink to the bottom. Then, because it’s trapped between the wax and the pot, it will quickly become superheated and vaporize, shooting an explosion of burning wax straight up and out of the pot, burning down your house, your neighborhood, and several thousand acres of surrounding forest land.  So for the love of all that is pure and holy, do not put it out with water!  Got it?

Now that you are gripped with terror at the thought of setting off a violent flaming explosion, let’s start melting the wax for your scented soy pillar candles.

Double boiling is the way to go. To do this, you need two pots. In the first and largest pot, you bring a few inches of water to a boil. In the second and smaller pot, you put the wax you’ve chosen to make your scented soy pillar candles. Sit the smaller pot inside the first pot so that it touches the boiling water but not the bottom of the pot. Putting something in the boiling water to support the second pot is a good idea. I use a biscuit cutter. Lower the heat to simmer. Also, be sure to monitor the water level so it doesn’t all boil away. Add more as needed.

It shouldn’t take long for the wax to melt for your scented soy pillar candles. You will need a thermometer to keep track of the temperature and get it to just the right level (this varies by the type of wax, so check the manufacturer’s instructions on your wax package.)

Later we’ll address adding color and aroma to your scented soy pillar candles.

Also check out this Candle Joke.