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Candle Pixie > Double Boiler
Double Boiler - Why And How
Wax has a flashpoint and it should never be exposed to a direct heat source. Most paraffin waxes have a flash point around 395° F. You can check the flash point of the wax you have purchased, it should be stated by the manufacturer because it sometimes varies between waxes.
When the wax reaches its flash point it usually explodes, splattering flaming wax in all directions. Don't experiment with placing the wax in the microwave, except if it's allowed by the manufacturer (some types of soy wax can be melted in the microwave).
To avoid explosions, we need to use the double boiling method. Water boils at 212° F, and that is well below the flash point of any paraffin wax.
If you don't have a double boiler pan, you can safely use some other metal container placed inside a pot of water. We recommend a steamer pot or an old saucepot, and a melting pot (if possible, it's good to have a melting pot with a pouring spout). These two items create a double boiler to melt down your wax.
All you have to do is fill the bottom part of your double boiler (the steamer pot or the saucepot) with about two inches of cool water, and place on the burner set to high temperature. Then you set the melting pot in the water, and when the water begins to boil, turn the heat down to medium low or low.
It's always good to have a candy thermometer around and a fire extinguisher or baking soda, just in case.