Welcome to the 780th Metamorphosis Monday! Do you love candles? Have you ever had an issue with a candle creating a well down the center of the candle as it burned? I’ve read so many tips about how to avoid that issue, the main one being to let the candle burn allllll the way out to the edges of its container the first time you light it. That, along with keeping the wick trimmed to a normal height, is “supposed” to prevent it from creating a well in the center as it burns.
I have tried to do this with my pricey and very heavily perfumed Diptyque candles, but I just couldn’t do it. The candles are so heavily perfumed that I have found it impossible to leave one of their average-sized candles burning long enough for the whole top layer to fully melt. Their beautiful fragrance is just too overpowering for my smallish office where I normally burn candles during the day.
I can usually let their smaller candles, like the ones toward the bottom of the photo, burn long enough to reach the edges of the container since they are quite small, but not with the larger ones which truthfully, aren’t that large. The larger candles that you see at the top of the photo are way smaller than your standard Bath and Body Works candle, but oh my gosh, Diptyque candles do pack a punch! I read that Diptyque uses the same strength of fragrance in their candles, which is completely natural–no synthetics, that you find in their perfumes. Each candle is made by hand with the wax created in small batches which explains why these special candles are so expensive and sooo potently fragrant!
One of their most popular candles and considered their signature scent is their classic 34 Boulevard Saint Germain candle, named after the street number on the boulevard Saint Germain in Paris where Diptyque opened its first boutique in 1961.
As mentioned, when I first burned this candle, I tried to let it burn to the edges of the container to avoid the candle developing a well down the center, but the scent was just too potent. After enjoying it a few times, in an attempt to remedy the deep well it was developing, I chipped out the top section of the wax, trying my best to create a flat-like surface again. When that didn’t work and it seemed to still be developing a well, I tried creating little tunnels to ferry the wax out to the edges. That didn’t work either since the little tunnels collapsed inward as the wax melted.
This was the wax I chipped out when I was trying to make the candle burn evenly across. I saved it because these candles are expensive! Have I mentioned that a time or two? lol
I decided to try and make a new mini candle with the wax I had removed. I searched online and found others who have done this with the small amount of wax that’s often left in the bottom of candle jars after burning a candle. There are other wax hoarders out there like me who want to get the most out of their candle investments! Ha! To make my new candle, I needed a wick and a glass jar.
I purchased these wicks and centering sticks here: Wicks with Centering Sticks.
I had a small jar left over from an orange candle I once had/burned. I liked the little ribbed glass container so kept it once the candle was gone.
Here’s a previous Halloween table where you can these candles in use.
I used one of the white, round, sticky tabs that came with the wicks and centering sticks kit to attach the wick to the bottom of the little jar as seen in the photo below. Next, I placed one of the centering sticks over the wick to hold the wick in place, otherwise, it would fall over. It would be super easy to make these centering sticks by drilling a tiny hole in the center of an ice cream stick, but the wicks and centering sticks kit I purchased was so inexpensive, I was happy to buy them already predrilled. Also, I liked that this kit came with sticky tabs to hold the wick in place at the bottom of the jar. (Wicks/Centering Sticks are available here: Wicks with Centering Sticks.)
I placed my chipped-out wax inside another old, now empty, candle jar left from a Ballynahinch Castle candle I purchased a few years ago while staying in the Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara in Galway, Ireland. (Take a tour and see more of Ballnahinch Castle (one of several castles I stayed in during a castle tour across Ireland) in these previous posts about Ballynahinch: Ireland Castle Tour–Ballynahinch Castle.)
I would so love to go back again one day! I will never forget this magical place!
One of their candles was always burning at the front desk each time we returned “home” to the castle after the day’s adventures, and it smelled wonderful! You can see one burning there at the end of the desk.
I brought two of their delicious candles home with me. I haven’t had the heart to light the last one, just yet.
I filled a pot with enough water to surround all the wax inside my Ballynahinch Castle candle jar.
The wax was just starting to melt…
I brought the water to almost a simmer–but not quite. That was enough heat to completely melt all the wax from the Diptyque candle. It only took a few minutes.
Using tongs, I grasped the top of the jar and poured the wax from the Ballynahinch jar into the smaller candle jar. One note of caution: be very careful when pouring the melted wax to avoid burning yourself! I wish now I had used an even smaller jar. Once the wax melted, I could see that I didn’t have nearly as much wax as I initially thought.
Here’s how it looked after just a few minutes–it didn’t take long to harden up.
I cut the wick and my candle was done. I promise I didn’t cut the wick as short as this photo makes it seem. lol It was cut to the standard height you would normally see for a candle.
I definitely could have used a smaller jar. I have a teeny, tiny Jo Malone candle that I think came in a gift set with something I purchased a while back. Its tiny glass jar would have been perfect for this small amount of wax. I’ll be sure to save that container once the candle is gone, just in case I need it at some point when melting down leftover wax from another “used-up” candle.
If you have some candle jars stored away that still have a tiny amount of wax left, and you would like to combine those to make a new/bigger candle, you’ll find the wicks and centering sticks that I used here: Wicks with Centering Sticks. If you have several candle jars with small amounts of wax left, you can melt and layer the leftover wax from each candle into a jar, one atop another. Just be sure to let each candle’s wax harden back up before adding another layer. You’ll have a layered candle that emits different scents as it burns. Oh, one last tip: I read that you can use a candle/coffee warmer to melt wax, but I haven’t tried that so not sure how well it works. I am thinking of buying one, though. You’ll find quite a few styles of candle warmers available here: Candle Warmers.
Hope you found this post helpful or at least entertaining. Looking forward to all the awesome Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday!
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This party has ended, click button below for the links to all who participated.
What an awesome tutorial…thanks so much for sharing! I burn candles…but you are so right…the Diptyque candles are expensive. I burn tarts in electric warmers…a bit more economical…but sometimes you just need the ambience of candles! I find anything but soy candles…tend to burn “dirty”…with strong petroleum scents. We have a number of local candle makers…using soy..so I usually purchase through them. Scentsationals wax tarts are my go to…easily obtained at Wal Mart.
Thanks for that info, Charlotte! I ordered an electric warmer so it will be interesting to see how it works. I know the Diptyque candles are all-natural, no synthetics…but they are just so strong!
Looking forward to reading about your new warmer!!
Hi Susan, I use Diptque as well. I have not tried the full size candles, only samples they give you. I use the Fleur D’Orange (Orange Blosson) room spray and I love it for my bathrooms, bedrooms. I also have the hour glass diffusers (same scent) and you can get refills for them. I love this product. A lot goes a long way when spraying.
I meant to say a little spray goes a long way
Interesting! I haven’t checked out their room sprays. Yeah, you don’t need a lot of any Diptyque product. lol So strong!
Very clever!
Thanks!
Great tutorial. Love that you always provide links to products. I’ve also heard that beeswax candles are popular. The expensive candles will likely indicate the type of wax used in the candle. If the scent is a little strong keeping you from burning the candle longer, possibly you could mix plain/unscented soy wax or beeswax with the “leftover” scented wax and have a candle you could burn longer. I would think you might find wax options at stores like Michaels.
That’s a great idea! Thanks for that suggestion, Margaret!
I wonder what would happen, if each time you used your original candle and just after you extinguished it, you poured the melted wax into your prepared jar?
It would take a while to build up enough layers for a proper candle, but it might work.
Not sure. I don’t think I’ll buy any more of the larger-size Diptyque candles since they are so strong. Probably great for a wide-open floor plan but not for an average room.
Susan,
You have to be sure you trim your wicks each time before you light/re-light them. Also, I have had luck, especially with soy candles, putting them in the microwave for a few seconds to level the wax a bit. Be sure it is only a few seconds at a time, as soy is very soft to begin with. Have a blessed day, Sharon
I do, I always check the wicks and have a wick trimmer that I use so the part that gets cut off doesn’t fall into the candle. Interesting idea about microwaving them! Thanks, Sharon!
Just remember that most candles have that little metal disc holding the wick and metal can’t go into the microwave.
Oh, that is a very good point!
Oh, it’s me again, also you can sit them in warm water as you did the scraps above and it will level the wax and then set up again as it cools. Just say’in.
I probably can’t do that with the one in the white container, but I may try that with one of the candles that’s in a glass container. May be worth a try as long as it doesn’t explode in the microwave. Ha! Not sure if the glass is microwavable.
Great idea ! I have never tried Diptque, but will have to now that I hear how strong they are…I find most candles don’t really leave much scent. I have better luck with those wax melts and a little warmer…but it does not feel as cozy as a candle. Have a great day !
Yeah, you won’t have any issue with a Diptyque candle being weak! You probably won’t even have to light it! lol I know, there’s something so cozy and romantic about burning a real candle and seeing that dancing flame. Just can’t ever leave them unattended.
What a great way to reuse favorite scents with favorite holders. I looked into the Castle’s online gift shop and was surprised they didn’t seem to sell the candles.
Diptyque has their own boutiques in some cities, we have one in Atlanta. I just did a search and Nordstrom carries them. You can see them here: https://bit.ly/3vwOq8c
I really want to try their “Roses” candle, I’ve heard wonderful things about that scent.
Mia, if you end up ordering one of their candles, one of their most popular scents is Baies. Check out the reviews here: https://bit.ly/3tI5zuZ
I love making candles, but haven’t for years. Thanks for hosting each week. Happy January!
Happy January, Debra! Hope 2024 is off to a wonderful start for you!
Susan,
Great post!! I often have this same thing happen to me and then I am stuck with a lot of wax and no way to burn it so thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks again for hosting this wonderful party! I know how much time goes into doing so and I want you to know that I truly appreciate it!! I hope you will have a great week! Thanks for all the inspiration!!!
Hugs,
Deb
Great idea, I’ll be doing this with some candles that have no wick left, but still have some wax! With regards to stopping the ‘well’ from forming – I saw a tip about folding some aluminum foil around the top of the candle (kind of like the collar used to keep pie crust edges from browning too quickly) while it burns. It holds the heat in around the edges and helps the wax melt more evenly. That did work on a few of my candles, but not all of them. Happy Monday!
Hello…I love candles also and burn them on overcast gray days (like today) in Michigan. (I also have small lamps that I enjoy too on these long evenings). One tip I use with left over wax in a container, is to put them in the freezer upside down and in a day or two the wax will fall out when you turn them upright. This works for me and then I melt them for reuse. My home has ‘wide open’ spaces/rooms so votives really don’t work for me – I need the larger candles. One brand -Yankee- is affordable and their scents are nice. I used to sell them in my store back in the 80’s and they weren’t so common then, they were a good seller. That USA company was very conscientious and no one could carry their candles within a 25 mile radius of my shop. Thanks for this little nostalgia trip! Have a cozy day with your candles!
Hi Susan. I refill my candles all the time. I actually buy wax cubes from Himalayan candles to refill my wood trough and vintage spice pot. I always scrape out the unused wax and reuse it. Yes, I want my $$ worth. Lol. The wax melts easily in the microwave. It’s super convenient. I actually have a post scheduled about it which I will post in a few weeks. HNY! XO- MaryJo
Thanks for all the great information you provided on making new candles with leftover wax. I would suggest using Oui Yogurt jars. There so many ways to reuse these glass jars. I even ordered silicone lids for reusing them as small candy jars. They would be perfect for small candles.
When I was a little girl back in the dark ages, my father would bring home big sheets of wax from work and we would make candles. Today I have asthma and can’t use candles. Anyone making candles, be sure you use tempered glass or the glass might explode from hot wax. Do not try this with Dollar Tree glass unless it previously held a candle.
If you opened the candle and didn’t light it, would the perfume smell be enough ?
As an aside, which airfryer did you keep ?
Yes, it’s so strong, it will fragrance a room by just removing the lid. If you were try to fragrance your entire home or a whole level in an open concept home, you would probably have to light it, but for a single room, just removing the lid works. That is so cool about your dad brining home wax…love that!
I ended up keeping this one: https://amzn.to/3SbwmJB . And the thermometer really does work. It cooked a steak to the exact doneness that I wanted.
If you don’t think you’ll ever cook a steak in it or don’t need the thermometer feature, I also really like this one: https://amzn.to/3tM8xP2 .
I ordered both and went with the one with the one with the thermometer, but I very rarely use that feature. Steaks cooked on a grill are def better, but I did want the option of cooking one in the air fryer.
My two daughters, my younger sister and her 3 daughters are candle lovers and always burn good quality candles. We have been doing this for years. In fact last Friday my sister and I repoured about 20 of them. Between her daughters, my sister and myself we had a year’s worth of wax saved.
It’s fun, BTW my fav smaller jars are from OUI glass yogurt jars. The sticker comes off smooth and easy and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Sometimes the rim of the jar does – so I always have my GOO GONE handy to take care of that if it is yucky.
Glad to know others do this too. Expensive candles are a shame to waste the bottom wax. BTW if you freeze your jar with bottom wax, you can break it up easily.
What a brilliant idea! It’s always bugged me to throw away that leftover wax, and now you’ve made it so easy. Thanks for the step by step! And thanks for hosting too. Hope you have a great week!
I did want to mention that I use the Yankee candles almost exclusively because they have a topper that sits over the top that keeps the candle level. They do recommend that you burn the candle at least 6 hours at a time, but I can’t always do that and they still stay nice and level. I probably have a dozen toppers as they are very decorative and come in seasonal designs too. They have many fragrances to choose from. I do freeze them when they get to the last half an inch or so, and pop it out to collect for reuse. I too use the OUI yogurt jars. Blessings
Love this Susan. Can’t tell you how many big messes I’ve made trying to do this.
Thanks Susan! I don’t like throwing out the last of the wax either. Will order the wick kit.