Yes, you can burn Babybel wax, and it's a popular choice for creative DIY projects like making small candles.
While Babybel wax is primarily designed as a protective, food-grade coating for cheese, its composition is similar to some candle waxes, primarily paraffin wax. This allows it to melt and sustain a flame when a wick is introduced. Many people enjoy collecting the colorful wax to repurpose it into unique, homemade candles. For example, some have found success by melting the collected wax, pouring it into a small jar or mold, and then inserting a birthday candle or a dedicated wick to create a functional, if unconventional, candle.
What is Babybel Wax Made Of?
Babybel wax is a food-grade paraffin wax blend, often colored with natural pigments to give it its distinctive red, green, or other hues. Paraffin wax is a common ingredient in commercial candles due to its ability to burn cleanly and efficiently. The wax serves as a protective barrier, keeping the cheese fresh and preventing moisture loss.
Making a DIY Babybel Wax Candle
Repurposing Babybel wax into a candle can be a fun and eco-friendly craft. Here's a basic approach:
- Collect the Wax: Save your Babybel wax wrappers after enjoying the cheese.
- Melt the Wax: Gently melt the collected wax in a heat-safe container using a double boiler method. This prevents the wax from overheating or burning. Never melt wax directly over an open flame or in a microwave, as it can be a fire hazard.
- Prepare the Container: Choose a small, heat-proof container, such as a mini mason jar or a cleaned-out tea light holder.
- Add a Wick: Place a pre-tabbed candle wick in the center of your container. You can secure it upright with a wick clip or by wrapping the top end around a pencil resting across the container's rim. Alternatively, as some have done, a small birthday candle can be used as a makeshift wick.
- Pour the Wax: Carefully pour the melted Babybel wax into the container around the wick.
- Cool and Trim: Allow the wax to cool completely and solidify. Once firm, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) above the wax surface.
Considerations for Babybel Wax Candles
It's important to remember that Babybel wax is not engineered specifically for optimal candle performance. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Babybel Wax (DIY Candle) | Commercial Candle Wax (e.g., Soy, Paraffin) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Design | Food packaging | Candle making |
| Composition | Food-grade paraffin wax, pigments | Optimized blends (paraffin, soy, beeswax), additives |
| Burn Quality | May produce more soot, potentially uneven burn, no scent | Designed for clean burn, consistent flame, often scented |
| Safety Cert. | Not certified for candle use | Often tested and certified for safety and burn quality |
| Scent | Unscented (unless fragrance oil is added during DIY) | Available in a vast array of fragrances |
Safety Precautions When Burning Any Wax
While Babybel wax can be burned, safety should always be your top priority. Always follow general candle safety guidelines:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. This is the most critical rule for candle safety.
- Keep candles away from flammable items like curtains, papers, clothing, and bedding.
- Burn candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface to prevent accidental tipping or damage to furniture.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch (6 mm) before each lighting. A longer wick can cause a larger flame, excessive soot, and faster burning.
- Avoid burning candles in drafty areas, as drafts can cause uneven burning and increased soot.
- Do not burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Allow the wax to cool, then trim the wick before relighting.
- Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let it cool, trim the wick, and check for drafts before relighting.
- Discard a candle when 1/2 inch (13 mm) of wax remains in the container to prevent the container from overheating and cracking.
For more information on general candle safety, you can refer to resources like the National Candle Association.
