If you want to make your own candles but don’t have any candle wax, you can actually still make a viable candle without any wax at all! Waxless candles require only a type of fat to replace the wax. Using all-natural products you probably have in your kitchen, it is possible to make candles without wax with just a few easy steps.
The main ingredient for any waxless candle is likely in your kitchen cupboard now, in the form of cooking oils. Vegetable and olive oils both burn well for a short while in homemade candles, and they are readily available. If you collect grease drippings from fatty meats after they’ve been cooked, you can also use this type of fat for waxless candles, with the added benefit of a delicious bacon aroma as it burns.
The type of container you use depends on the effect you want to create, how long you’d like the candle to burn, and ultimately, what resources you have around the house. For a completely natural design, you can use hollowed out halves of citrus fruits. Selecting a grapefruit or orange for your waxless candle will add a very light citrusy aroma to the candle as it burns. Should you want something more durable and longer lasting, glass containers with the bottom half filled with water will also work. When you pour oil or grease into these water-filled containers, the oil will float at the top, keeping your wick higher in the container than if you only had a small amount of oil in the bottom.
The process is pretty simple. If you are using citrus shells, firmly press the circular tab at the bottom of the wick into the flesh to ensure it stays in place, and slowly pour your chosen fat into the shell until it nears the top. For a glass container, fill one half to two thirds of the container with water, and slowly pour your fat on top (do not use hot grease!). Drop your wick carefully inside the oil. Regardless of the type of container and wick used, wait about half an hour for the wick to draw the fat into it and then it should be ready to light. Remember to always burn your waxless candle on a sturdy, nonflammable surface, and never leave it unsupervised.
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