mzpickles Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Hi all, I am sooo happy to have found this forum! I just started making candles in November (ostensibly for Christmas gifts) but the whole thing has snowballed on me! My question is this, I made a lot of mistakes at the beginning, mostly under wicking containers, and now I have a bunch of apothecary & mason jars with lots of wax left in them but no wick left (major tunneling!). If I use a double boiler to melt the wax out can I reuse these containers? I'm thinking a concern about reusing containers would be that heating the glass while the candle burns (with a full melt pool) might compromise the integrity of the container if there are any weak spots in the material, but since these have a wall of wax next to the glass maybe it's ok? Your expert opinions would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursenancy Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I recycle jars all the time - have never had a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soy327 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Me too, I use jj's and alot of people reuse those for making jellies. Others would say depending on the jar not to reuse and sell.Lindamzpickles tried to pm you but don't think I can????? Edited February 28, 2010 by soy327 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzpickles Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Linda maybe it's because I'm new? I don't think I'm allowed to pm either! I know Berthoud, I used to live in Ft. Collins b4 I moved to the Denver area.[Edited to add] I went to my profile and checked to receive messages from other members, so maybe it'll work now. I know I can't pm until met certain criteria, so I'm not sure I will be able to respond! Edited February 28, 2010 by mzpickles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soy327 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 E-mail me lfest327@yahoo.com Hope this is ok to post can't think of a reason it's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scifichik Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Hi all, I am sooo happy to have found this forum! I just started making candles in November (ostensibly for Christmas gifts) but the whole thing has snowballed on me! My question is this, I made a lot of mistakes at the beginning, mostly under wicking containers, and now I have a bunch of apothecary & mason jars with lots of wax left in them but no wick left (major tunneling!). If I use a double boiler to melt the wax out can I reuse these containers? I'm thinking a concern about reusing containers would be that heating the glass while the candle burns (with a full melt pool) might compromise the integrity of the container if there are any weak spots in the material, but since these have a wall of wax next to the glass maybe it's ok? Your expert opinions would be greatly appreciated!I can't speak for the apothecary jars as I haven't used those, but I've done several meltdown/repours with the jelly jars. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and put in a warm oven, and let the wax melt. You can recapture that wax for whatever you want, then wash your jars in hot, soapy water and after they are dry---they are ready to use again.Also, as an FYI, if you hot glue your wick tabs into your jars, this is a good time to get some needle-nose pliers and remove the tab----the hot glue is soft and pliable at this stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I reuse my apothecary and mason jars all the time. If there is a lot of wax in them then I just heat the jar on low in my oven until all the wax melts then carefully pour it out.To clean out the jars put them upsidedown on paper towels on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet with the jars in a low oven for about 15 minutes. All the residual wax will melt onto the paper towels.Jars that I have reheated I reuse to test new candles. I don't sell a heated candle jar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzpickles Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Also, as an FYI, if you hot glue your wick tabs into your jars, this is a good time to get some needle-nose pliers and remove the tab----the hot glue is soft and pliable at this stage.Thanks! I was sort of wondering what to do about that! My earliest candles I used the stickums and those have been easy to deal with, the later ones I used hot glue and I was afraid those weren't going to budge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsbennis Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I reuse my tester jars all the time...I just put them on a candle warmer and pour the left over wax in another new wicked jar...after several times doing this I end up with a surprise candle, that I usually give to family. They never know what scents they are but have fun guessing.I do not ever reuse jars for sale because you never know if the integrity of the jar has been compromised, thats a chance I'm not willing to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzpickles Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) Jars that I have reheated I reuse to test new candles. I don't sell a heated candle jar.Thanks Candybee [Edit] & Isbennis! I do this for myself & family, no selling (yet!) so at this point I'm good (if I give a candle away I make sure it's a new container!). If I ever do sell I'll remember your advice. Edited March 1, 2010 by mzpickles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodaspuffs Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I have had not problems reusing jars. I've found that fingernail polish remover works great to get wick stick-um residue off, I haven't tried it on glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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