Turn Hollow Lemon Skins into Lemon Beeswax Candles
If you like the soft light and sweet aroma of lighted candles, then you can make your own naturally scented beeswax candles. Moreover, scented candles are great gift ideas that you can give to your friends. When making candles, you do not need to buy expensive materials. In fact, you can make beeswax candles from hollowed out lemon skins. All you need are simple materials and a dash of creativity.
Materials Needed:
- Lemons
- Beeswax
- Lemon oil
- Wicks
- Gloves
- Stove
- Double boiler
- Stirring implements
- Utility knife
- Melon baller
- Candy thermometer
- Metal wick holder
Step 1 - Prepare The Mold
The first thing to do is to prepare the mold. To do this, use a knife and cut the lemons lenghtwise. Using a spoon or fork, squeeze out the juice from the lemon. Be careful not to tear the skin. Once all the lemon juice has been extracted, hollow out the halves, using a mellon baller. Do this carefully and make sure that you do not poke holes on the skin of the lemon.
Step 2 - Put Wick On The Lemon Halves
Using a knife or a pair of scissors, cut 3 inches of the wick, and tie one end in a knot. Thread the loose end through the wick holder, to hold the wick in place. Prepare for the next step.
Step 3 - Coat The Wick With Wax
Coat the wick with wax first and let it dry for a few minute to let it stiffen. Once stiff and straigtened, press the metal wick holder to the bottom of the lemon to hold it in. Secure it at the center of the empty lemon half. You can vary the orientation of the wick holder, depending on your choice.
Step 4 - Melt The Beeswax
Melt the beeswax in a double boiler above a hot stove. The temperature of the double boiler should be 180 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, if you do not have a double boiler, you can always microwave the beeswax for about 5 minutes to melt it. However, make sure that you cover the beeswax properly so that it will not spill inside the microwave oven. To check the temperature, use a candy thermometer and stir the beeswax using a spoon or other type of stirring implement. Once the beeswax has melted, add a dash of lemon oil, just to add more scent to the melted beeswax.
Step 5 - Pour The Wax Into The Lemon Halves
Using a pot holder or gloves, pour the wax into the lemon half and make sure that lemon halves are filled to the edges. Moreover, use a paintbrush to coat the rim of each half of the lemon with wax to create a smooth finish on the lemon halves. Wait for about 4 hours to let the beeswax harden before you try lighting the candles or before you put them in its individual packaging, ready to be given out to friends and family members.
