CHOOSE & USE SAFELY

Tips for Choosing a Suitable Melter

One of the most important parts of your wax journey is making sure you are using suitable equipment and using them properly.

With an array of wax melters out there on the market it can not only be overwhelming but it can be a bit of a headache with so much choice. Afterall, all you want to do is get melting, right?

So, to help take some of the stress out of the process for you i have a few tips to help you weed out the good, the bad and the ugly.

  • Make sure your melter is wax suitable. I know this sounds silly because aren't all melters wax suitable? And in short, no, they arent. Infact there area ALOT that are marketed as wax melters but they aren't wax safe at all. How can you tell if your wax melter is wax suitable? Well, there is no definitive mark that is stamped somewhere on your melter (though wouldn't that be helpful?). But i think with these tips you should be able to get a better idea of if the wax melter you are considering is likely to be wax suitable or not. One of the biggest giveaways is the size. NEVER use a small melter. These are rife with being marketed as wax melters but they aren't wax safe at all. Why? Because the flame from the candle is too close to the underside of the melting dish. This causes the wax to heat up too much and to a temperature it isn't supposed to reach. Therefore becoming unsafe. The smaller melters you see are infact oil burners and for that purpose they are fit. But not for using wax in. I can't stress it enough, stay away from the small melters. As a general rule make sure your melter is at least 13cm in height.
  • Check for Chips and Cracks- Chips and cracks compromise the safety of your melter. Even if only small. Why? Because it causes the melter to become weaker. The cracks especially are problematic and pose a fire risk. Why? Because wax can seep through these cracks, even fine ones, and end up on the underside of the melting dish where it will be in close proximity or even full contact with the flame and this is where/how a fire can start. Inspect your melter before and after every use and if you see any chips or cracks of any size then discard your melter immediatley.
  • Tealight Melter Vs Electric Melter- This comes down to personal preference. I have tried both kinds of melters and i have always had better results with the tealight melter. Electric melters don't usually get hot enough to get the best performance from the wax being melted. That isn't to say they arent suitable but i personally find i get better results from a tealight melter.
  • Support Small but be Safe- I encourage you to shop small when you are looking for a new wax melter. There are many indie businesses that not only sell melters but also make them. However, there are factors to consider when doing this. Such as the material that is used and any extra embellishments (is adehsive used? is it flammable? etc). This tip comes down to your own instinct and confidence in the seller/business. 
Handmade Wax Melts Made in the Lake District, UK
Luxury wax melts handmade in Cumbria

Use Your Wax Melts, Bars and Brittle Safely...

To use

- Take a wax melt/brittle out of its packaging/pot and place in a wax burner. If using brittle please use an amount suitable for your wax burner size. If your wax melt is too large then I advise cutting into smaller pieces.

- Once the wax burner is in use please do not move it around or touch it as it will be hot.

- You should be able to get several uses out of a wax melt/brittle. Depending on your scent strength preference you may wish to put a new melt/brittle in your wax burner sooner than others (I know some customers like to change theirs every time its used. Others like to use theirs 3 or 4 times before changing).

- When you have finished using your melt/brittle allow the wax so fully solidify in the melter and allow to fully cool.

- Once the melter is cool and the wax set then I recommend putting it in the fridge (if a non electric melter) for 10-15 minutes. This will help the removal of the wax to be in one piece.

- Discard the used wax appropriately.

Extra Safety Information

- Do not store, use or discard the wax melts/brittle anywhere within reach/access of children, vulnerable people or animals.

- Do not use your melter near flammable objects or on surfaces which may get damaged

- Always use a heatproof mat

- When using a tealight, only use one at a time

- Ensure that the melter you are using is suitable for wax. An oil burner is not the same as a wax burner

- If your burner has any sign of cracks then discontinue use of it and replace immediatley

- Do not use in draughty areas

- Ensure that once the tealight is blown out that it is full extinguished

- Do not use your melter on for more than 4 hours at a time

- Do not leave your melter unattended at any time