Question
What to do with the remains?
So I am an avid BBW candle burner, especially Slatkin. I didn't know that you're only supposed to burn them 3-5 hours at a time, but I have burned mine almost constantly when I'm at home. My problem is when the wick burns pretty much all the way down, to where it will no longer light, and there is still some wax left in the jar. I have so many of them I don't really know what the best idea is to do with the remnance. I could try to get the rest of the wax out (a pain!) and then use the jars for something, but then the wicks are like "bolted" down. I don't know, what do you all do with them? (other than throwing them away or putting them in your recycling bin.
asked 8 months ago
by
Anonymous
- Binghamton, NY
on Home & Candles
answer 1
Put the candle in the freezer for 5-10 minutes and the wax will pop right out. Then you can put it in a tart burner (like and oil burner, but with a larger reservoir for the wax - you can use the oil burners that have the larger reservoirs as well) to scent your home. Try some goo gone in the bottom of the jars to loosen up the wicks. (they are glued down)
Or, get one of those candle heating plates. It will heat up the wax and let it scent your home, then you can pour it out when it doesn't smell anymore, plus the heat loosens up the wick holders.
I prefer the freezer method, myself. Then you'll be able to use the jars for other things. I always do this with my figural candles, so I can keep them from year to year.
Top 10 Contributor
answer 2
The reason there is wax left in the jar after burning is because it's set as a safety mechanism. If you notice the candles will burn themselves out. Some candles will burn all the wax out of the jar this in turn can let the glass get so hot it ends up breaking and possibly lighting your house on fire.
If you want to continue using the wax for other uses I suggest taking a fork (or whatever else) right after the candle is done burning and picking out the metal wick holder, then stick the candle in the freezer for a few hours, afterwords the will be easier to break out of the jar.
answered 8 months ago
by
SwtHrtTk
- Hillsdale, MI
answer 3
That little bit of wax on the bottom is actually a safety precaution.
You can always pick up a mug/candle warmer at any big box store to warm the candle and get the fragrance oils out of the last bit of wax.
Freezing the last bit of wax in the jar will help it pop out and a wash down in hot, soapy water will get rid of any residue.
We use the leftover jars as cotton ball holders and to hold votives.
Top 10 Contributor
answer 4
You should get a candle warmer, like a hot plate type to melt the wax in the bottom. Also, if you just want to get rid of the extra little bit of wax in the bottom, you can melt it like this and then pour it out...or you could mix them all together and make a brand new scent....be careful mixing certain scents, it might be gross. :)
answer 5
If I may make a suggestion, I would recommend switching over to the home fragrance oil and using it in an oil warmer. It is much less messy than candles, and you get to use all of it up. Don't have to deal with wicks or messy wax with oil warmers.
Unless you are very inventive, when the candles get down that low, it's advisable just to toss them, as I believe it's not safe to burn them (in glass) past a certain mark due to heat issues.
As far as using the jars, I know for a fact that the wick base will come off, especially if the candle is warmed up.
My dad likes to use the old candle jars I have as a place to store his screws and bolts out in the garage. Says the big ones are the perfect size for it.
Top 10 Contributor
answered 8 months ago
by
xMIKEx
- Minneapolis, MN
answer 6
Generally, what I do is, put the candle in the freezer for 5 minutes or so, then take it out and hit the bottom of the candle jar with your hand to break the remainder of the wax loose from the jar. You may need a butter knife to free the wax if it is being stubborn. When the wax is free I cut out the wick and holder and place it in a tart warmer. Afterward, I clean out the jar with soap and warm water. I like to store various household items in the jar. I hope this helps!
Top 25 Contributor
answer 7
You can put your candle on a candle warming plate to enjoy the remaining amount of wax. You could also use an old spoon to remove the remaining wax and melt it in a tart burner. If I have had Bath and Body Works/Slatkin/White Barn candles in the past and wanted to keep the jar for another use, I just put the jar in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes and then the wax will pop right out. You are right about the wicks being attached to the bottom of the jar. If you work at it, you can get the little silver disc out. Then you just have to clean up the adhesive residue left on the bottom of the glass. I always keep the jars if they are colored or decorated. They are nice to use with a tealight or flameless votive.
answer 8
The jars are best to clean them out when the wax is still liquified. This way, you can just pour out the remaing wax and wipe it clean with a paper towel. You can also try pouring hot water from a coffee pot to soften the wax. To get the remaing wax, Goo Gone always works. I then run the jar through my dishwasher on the top shelf to get them spotless. They make great containers.
answer 9
I don't re-use the jars, i wish i could think of a way to, but you can chip out the remaining wax and put it in a tart warmer, you should get some scent from that.
answered 8 months ago
by
kayellcee
- West Virginia
answer 10
I didn't know you were only suppose to burn them 3-5 hrs at a time either. Like you, I burn the things like crazy when home. When my candles get down to the "won't light" stage, I have put them on a candle warmer base and still enjoyed the smell. I have also poured one remain into another remains jar and then wiped the empty jar out with a paper towel while it was still warm and liquid. Empty jars can be cleaned and used for tumblers. Though sometimes they have a decorative paint on the jars and this will come off in washing. You can also do as you mentioned and recycle the empty jars. Though if you clean them out, they also make nice little gift jars for candies, etc.
answered 8 months ago
by
Mooneclipse
- Joplin, Mo.
answer 11
I try to catch the candles after they burn out and get the wax out while it is still warm. When I get most of it out, a little water and dish soap gets out the last waxy residue. The wicks can be tough to remove. They are "glued" down, but I pop them up using a fork.
Hope this helps. The jars are nice and I re-use them too. Especially some of the nice figural ones, like the ORANGE NECTAR orange from this spring.
Top 25 Contributor