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Wax Recycling - Chunk Pillar

By Bob Sherman

This article was originally written in 1999 and has been rewritten, modernized, and modified for this web site.

My article on Wax Recycling - Storage should have helped you manage the often large amounts of scrap wax produced in any candle shop, but storage alone is not the full solution - you need to use the scraps as well.

This method lends itself well to small scraps in assorted colors. Often small scraps are not worth the effort of labeling or finding when you need to make another batch of the same. Yet if these were all melted together the result would be a reddish brown wax. By using these scraps in a chunk candle, we can take advantage of their diverse colors rather than blending them into an ugly color.

PLEASE NOTE!! - Candle making can be dangerous if proper safety procedures are not followed. Please read these Safety Rules before attempting any candle making projects.

This article assumes basic candle making skills. If you are new to candle making, my Introduction To Candle Making Course is free and will show you all the basics for working with wax safely.

The Wax
This technique works well with most wax scraps - the key to success is to use all the same wax type for both the scraps and the fill wax. For this example I used scraps of my floating candle formula, but it would work equally well with my pillar or votive formula. Generally container candle formulas are too soft for pillar candles, but you could use that wax to make a chunk container candle using a similar technique.

Important! - It is vital that the fill wax be the same formula as the chunks. This applies to all chunk candles - not just recycled ones. Using a harder or softer wax may cause the candle to burn poorly. The use of different wax formulas may cause the softer wax to melt first causing the candle to "spout". This would manifest itself as a hole in the side which pours out the molten wax, and is caused by the softer wax formula melting faster.


1.Gather enough chunks to fill the mold.	2. Insert the wick and seal the wick hole.

3. The prepared mold ready for use.	4. Fill the mold with wax scraps.

5. Pour the fill wax at 190 - 200 degrees F.	6. After it has cooled for a while, poke some relief holes near the wick.

7.Allow to harden fully, then do a second pour if needed.	8. De mold, then trim the bottom wick.

9. Level the base on a heated pan or electric griddle.	10. Trim the top wick and you are done.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge and common candle making practices as of the time of this writing - February 2006. The author and the publisher accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented in this article. This article is presented for informational purposes and is used at your own risk.

Author: Bob Sherman

Publisher: Bobby's Craft Boutique Inc.

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