The Eternal Flame

Everyone has a need for candles.  Whether it's simply another form of backup lighting for when the power goes out or ambience and a little extra warmth on a cold winter's night.  However, we've all had that one candle that's been a bad apple almost from the start.  You know the one I'm talking about.  It burns for awhile then douses itself out with its own hot wax and calls it a day.  Sometimes this is an easy fix--digging out the wick or adjusting it.   Other times, often towards the end of the candle's burning life, it's an ongoing battle that doesn't hardly seem worth the trouble.  The good news is you can simply melt that dude down and give him new life as an actual working candle (or even two or three new candles if you wish).  Below are the detailed steps to a very simple process:

All you need is a pan or can that you can set your old candle in to melt.  Of course, when you do this it goes without saying that you only put the wax portion into your melting pot, no holders of any sort.  This can be done on your kitchen stove or if you have a wood stove it's the perfect project for a cold Winter's day when you are running a good hot fire.  The candle will melt down in no time. 

Prior to this, you'll need look around the house and find something that you can safely pour your hot wax into and then burn your new candle in.  Mason jars are perfect for this as they are very heat tolerant and come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  You'll also need to purchase some wick material for this mission, both inexpensively priced and easy to find at any local craft store (think Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.).  Cut your wicks according to needed lengths.  The length will be determined by the height of your holders.  To set-up your containers so they are ready for pouring simply tie a washer on one end of the wick and drop it into the center of the holder.  The top portion of the wick will need to be tied tightly to a skewer of some sort--just something wide enough to fit across the center of your container's top (a pencil, chopstick, or even a wooden dowel). 

Once your old candle has melted back down to its original liquid state you're ready for the deed!  Simply pour a little wax in the center of your candle holders.  Let the wax cool just a little then press your washer into it.  This process will ensure that your wick will both stay at the bottom and stay centered as the hot wax is poured into your new candle holder.  Next slowly pour the wax into your prepared container. 

Once the holder is full, relax and let the wax cool.  Don't be alarmed if after the cooling period, your candle has a sunken spot in the middle.  This is normal.  To fix it, simply pour more wax into the holder. 

Freshly poured candles

Finally untie your wick from its skewer and bingo bango you've got yourself a brand new candle or several depending on how you decided to divide it out! 

The best part, you can refill these candle holders again and again either with troubled candles you already have around the house or with troubled candles that OTHER people have had that have been dropped off at your local thrift store.  Often times you can find these wax treasures bundled up in bulk and sold dirt cheap.  You're going to have a healthy stash of quality inexpensive candles...forever!!!