itsmejeffd Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I have only been making candles for a couple months now but before I started, I read as much as possible about the process. One thing that was stressed and reiterated was to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use a gas stove - only electric.For this reason, I have been melting and mixing color and/or FO in my presto pot. It's been working well but I would really like to put a spigot on my presto and use it just for melting. It gets a bit tiring having to clean out my presto every time I change what I'm pouring.Does anyone use a gas stove?Should I invest in a hot plate?Any recommendations for one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth-VT Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 You're just boiling water. No reason why you can't use a gas stove for a double boiler method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmejeffd Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 My understanding is that the heated wax could ignite with an open flame. I know that should only happen if the temperature got to the waxes flash point but with a double boiler the wax can't get over 212*, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Yup yup.. I used gas for years until I opened up shop. Had an electric stove there, and had 3 small fires. Never had a fire with the gas stove. Just be careful no matter what you choose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowCow Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I have electric stove and still use a separate burner. I would hate to get my regular stove all dirty and have to clean it up all the time. I'm good at spilling dye and all kinds of other stuff. anyways.....the little $5 burners from wal-mart work great and have lasted much longer than my $25 one from the hardware store. go figure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmejeffd Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 Yup yup.. I used gas for years until I opened up shop. Had an electric stove there, and had 3 small fires. Never had a fire with the gas stove. Just be careful no matter what you choose!Bunny, you've had fires with electric but not gas? Sounds like the opposite of what I've read. :undecided Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asher Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I used a gas stove with a double boiler and never had problems with it. Sometimes, little bits of wax that had mixed in with the water would shoot out and contact the flame....but they'd burn up almost instantly. I might see a miniscule flash and hear a 'crackle' sound, but it was so small and happened so quickly that it never appeared threatening.Honestly, the worst part about using a gas stove was the clean-up (since there were nooks and crannies to get around). My current flat-top stove is so much easier to clean. However, if some wax gets on the burner it will just sit there and slowly burn up. One time I filled my kitchen with a haze of smoke...and that never happened with the gas stove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybersix Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I always use double boiler on a gas stove, never had a problem (ehm, the problem is cleaning up!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmejeffd Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 Thank you, all for your replies. And thank you, Stephanie for the hot plate recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homespundon Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Hey Jeff,I also use a Presto Pot, actually several of them but I always use a Pyrex cup to put liquid wax in my pour pot then I add color and scent. The only time I ever put scent in my Presto was when dipping critters.Blessings and snickerdoodles,Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth-VT Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Not to highjack the thread, but Hey Don!!! Haven't seen you around in a while, welcome back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Bunny, you've had fires with electric but not gas? Sounds like the opposite of what I've read. :undecidedYup, you read that right! Stranger things have happened!And glad to see you Don! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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