Beautiful Botanical Burner Melts

Beautiful Botanical Burner Melts

The bulk of commercial burner melts tend be pretty toxic, they are made with petroleum derived waxes and are artificially coloured and fragranced. So what I have done is come up with an alternative that keeps the ingredients pretty much homegrown, local and most importantly natural. Once you have mastered the recipe and experimented and found the oil combinations that you love you will have a ready stash of these lovely things for yourself and for gifts.

To use the melts you simply pop them in the bowl of your essential oil burner instead of water and essential oil. As they melt the essential oils they have been infused with will be released. Once done simply let them cool and you will be able to release the solid wax from the bowl.

The recipe I have come up with is super simple made from beeswax sourced from my local beekeeper. As far as the essential oils go there are endless variations, it just depends on your personal taste. Not only does beeswax give the melts a wonderful honey glow, they also imbue a warm honey fragrance that compliments the essential oils.

If you cannot source beeswax locally there are a few companies online that can supply you with unrefined local beeswax, just check the origin. If you have no dried flowers on hand you can also use a sprinkling of spices if it compliments your essential oil blend – star anise, cardamom and pink peppercorns are some lovely alternatives. You will just need to experiment to find the combination of oils and “toppings” you like.

Ingredients for Beautiful Botanical Burner Melts

Fear not, I do recycle the ones I have not gifted. I collect the used ones and pop them in little bags noting the oils I have used. Then I rebatch them by melting them down, straining off the botanicals and then remoulding them with fresh essential oils the same as the ones that were used previously as there will be lingering aroma from the original batch. I usually do this three to four times before they have had their day. When they are spent (you will know as the oils will start to smell a little “off”) I melt and strain the wax and then make it into furniture polish – watch this space, recipe coming soon!

Pouring Burner Melts. Add the botanicals just as the wax starts to cool. Do not leave it too late or they will not attach.

Beautiful Botanical Burner Melts

What You Will Need

240g Natural unbleached beeswax

Essential oils of choice

Dried flowers and/or spices of choice

Silicone 12 hole mini muffin pan

Method

1. In a double boiler melt the beeswax over a low heat. If you do not have a double boiler simply place a glass or stainless steel bowl over a saucepan filled 1/4 full of water. Make sure the water is not touching the base of the bowl. Melt the beeswax in the bowl.

2. When no solids remain in the wax turn down the as low as it goes then use a small jug or ladle to pour the wax into the mini muffin pan four holes at a time.

3. When you have poured the first four then add 4 – 8 drops of essential oil into each hole. Then move on and pour another four holes and add the essential oil. After this four, go back to the previous four holes and the wax should be cool enough to add a little sprinkle of botanicals (dried flowers, spices … ). If the botanicals sink do not stress, simply wait another minute or two and float some more botanicals on top of the wax.

4. Continue this regime until all the holes are filled and decorated.

5. Leave for an hour or so and when the melts are solid unmould them and package or store in an airtight container.

Enjoy your beautiful Botanical Burner Melts!