Quick Answer: Yes, you can melt soy wax in the microwave. However, there are certain precautions you’ll want to take, which you’ll learn about below.
Let’s learn more about soy wax first…
What Is Soy Wax?
If you’ve been candle shopping recently, you may have seen soy candles in gift shops and mainstream department stores.There are even stores that sell only soy wax candles.
But soy wax isn’t limited to candle production.It’s in all kinds of cosmetics and household items, and it has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to petroleum-based paraffin wax.
What exactly is soy wax?It’s composed primarily of soybean oil, if not entirely.It could contain other materials, though you should be able to tell from a product description if you were to purchase soy wax for candles, soaps and other DIY projects.
We’re happy to report that from our research, soy wax is microwavable, though certain guidelines must be observed to melt it safely.
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You’ll need to make sure that you’re heating the soy wax in a microwavable container.Glass is a good option, as long as you know that it can withstand microwave heating.Whatever container you pour the hot wax into should also be able to tolerate the heat.
Keeping an eye on the wax and microwaving for short times only is also recommended to make sure that overheating doesn’t occur.
As long as you follow the right precautions, melting soy wax in the microwave is perfectly safe.
For more microwave tips, check out our picks for the best microwave toaster oven combo.
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Different Types of Soy Wax Products
Soy candles may typically come to mind when we think of soy wax, but this material can be found in a variety of products, including:
- Lip balm
- Soap
- Crayons
If you’re wondering if it’s OK to melt these kinds of soy wax products, the answer depends on which one you’re planning to melt.
Liquifying the remainders of a few different soy wax lip balms together is a popular way to preserve them, and it’s usually fine.
Some people also melt crayon bits for adding color to wax-based DIY crafts or for creating new crayons in fun shapes.Similarly, soap can often be shredded, melted and reshaped or reconstructed into new soap products.
Candles can be a bit of a different story.You might not be able to tell exactly what types of wax and materials go into a candle, which makes choosing the appropriate wick type difficult.
The size of the wick should be matched to the size of the candle and to the wax type to ensure safe burning and reduce the risk of burning too hot (which is a fire hazard).Ultimately, you’ll need to exercise caution and do some research if you want to melt down the ends of your candles for reuse.
Ultimately, melting soy wax that hasn’t already been crafted into an object is always going to be the safest route.
Further Reading: Can You Microwave a Tervis?
How Do You Know If Wax Is Microwave Safe or Not?
Soy wax (and other types of wax) may have an indication on the package about microwave safety, whether to show that the wax can be heated in the microwave or to caution against it.
Many wax products don’t come with microwave information, so the best way to tell if a wax item is microwavable is to ask the company that makes the product.
If there isn’t a phone number on the website, there should be an email that will put you in contact with a company representative who will know all the safety points.
Labels on Wax to Be Aware Of
Any product that’s microwavable may have a label that says “microwave safe” on it. If you flip the item over, you’ll usually spot it on the bottom.
Be on the lookout for labels that show that an item is not microwavable, too. If you don’t see either type of label, refer to the steps above.
Bonus Safety Tips
Here are some of the simple safety measures that are recommended for heating wax in the microwave:
- Lower the power level of your microwave as different wax types have different melting points.
- Never leave wax unattended in the microwave.
- Be extra careful handling hot wax to avoid serious burns.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
