I often get asked about tart warmers. Where did I get mine? How much was it? Which one is the best? How do clean the wax out….the list of questions goes on and on. I actually have three that look just like this picture. The one I have in the kitchen is from Kim’s Tarts. I purchased it first before I knew I could just go and buy one at a local retail store (I didn’t know they sold them there). I picked this one up at Bed, Bath and Beyond in the candle section of the store. It’s made by a company called Candle Warmers. It’s a 24 watt tart warmer/ candle warmer. The bowl comes off for easy cleaning and you can place a candle on the plate to use up any fragrance that might be left in the little bit of wax in the bottom of the jar. There is a flip switch to turn it on and off. An indicator light is located on the base.
They have a variety of candle/tart warmers, I have never used the ones that have a lamp shining down on the top of the candle. I believe those melt both the bottom and the top simultaneously. I am pleased with mine and would continue to buy this brand (as long as it’s in Bed, Bath and Beyond). I believe I paid $13 at BBB and now that I’m thinking about it I should have used a coupon. There is also a company called Vista Wholesale which I have heard several people mention. I have never ordered from them but they have relatively inexpensive warmers.
Let’s move on, how to get the wax out of the dish. I just place a few ice cubes on the top of the wax which will cause it to shrink. It should slide right now. Sometimes I get tarts/melts that are stubborn. When that happens, I just place the whole dish in the freezer. I leave the ice cubes on the top, sometimes it gives me something to grab on to while trying to remove the wax. This really only happens when I don’t use the whole melt/tart or it’s too thin of a layer and refuses to budge. I have read all sorts of tricks like putting a drop of water, wipe the bowl with oil or spray non stick cooking spray in the bottom of the dish. I haven’t tried these but I guess the water prevents the wax from forming a tight seal which in turn slides out of the dish or breaks into pieces. Obviously the non stick spray and oil would help the wax from sticking…it should slide right out. Something about mixing stuff in my wax, I’m afraid would make it tweak the scent.
What’s the difference between the warmer in the picture and a warmer from Scentsy or BH&G? True there are several different warmers out there. Scentsy and BH&G warmers are bulb warmers which are nice if you have children and/or pets. The wax doesn’t get scalding hot and they also can be used as a night light. I own the cupcake warmer from Scentsy and I have to say I love it. This warmer takes the low and slow approach, low heat releases the scent slowly which of course means you don’t have to replace or change out the wax (unless you are tired of the scent). As long as the wax is jam packed with oils then it will last for a long time. These warmers, however, are not made to melt a Paraffin wax melt/tart (like Yankee). You can try, but both of my light bulb warmers couldn’t even get it to melt the bottom of the tart. My PartyLite warmer does have a hot plate and an LED light inside so it’s like the best of both worlds. I have a snowman one from the holiday season and it was pretty inexpensive as well. I think I bought it during the typical after the holiday sales.
When shopping for an electric warmer keep these questions in mind:
1. Can you remove the dish?
2. Do I want a heating plate or melt by light bulb heat?
3. How wide is the dish? Remember, wider gives off more of a scent throw.
4. What is the wattage? Mine are 24 watt, which makes the wax super hot.
5. Where am I putting this warmer?
6. If décor is your thing, does it match? Don’t end up like me and wondering why I bought a big cupcake warmer. It took sometime but I found it to be perfect in the kitchen.
Here are the links to where you can purchase warmers: (this includes the Scentsy and PartyLite warmers)
**Please note I’m not a consultant for either Scentsy or PartyLite. I just enjoy both companies and have purchased products from each.
Well I thought I would post what I do when I’m too lazy to take the tart out of the tart warmer. I will admit that I sometimes don’t feel like waiting for the ice to loosen the wax or perhaps I’m not done with my current tart, but want a new scent.
Here is my extra bowl for my warmer. Wait what? You got an extra bowl? No fair! No, no….I didn’t get an extra bowl I just use something that is able to withstand heat and won’t crack preferably made of the same material as my bowl/dish.
Well they come in all sizes, made of ceramic material and is made to bake in oven temperatures….a Ramekin! I just place this right on the warming plate (bottom piece of my warmers). Mine are really that wide enough I think there is another size bigger that will work better however I haven’t purchased one to try it out.
I still put ice on top to get the wax out but I really don’t care if they break because they are cheap and I can replace them. If I have don’t want to mess with the ice I’ll just put this in the freezer.
I wipe out the dish and I just store it when my tarts or candles in the office when it’s not being used.
Well I thought I would post what I do when I’m too lazy to take the tart out of the tart warmer. I will admit that I sometimes don’t feel like waiting for the ice to loosen the wax or perhaps I’m not done with my current tart, but want a new scent.
Here is my extra bowl for my warmer. Wait what? You got an extra bowl? No fair! No, no….I didn’t get an extra bowl I just use something that is able to withstand heat and won’t crack preferably made of the same material as my bowl/dish.
Well they come in all sizes, made of ceramic material and is made to bake in oven temperatures….a Ramekin! I just place this right on the warming plate (bottom piece of my warmers). Mine are really that wide enough I think there is another size bigger that will work better however I haven’t purchased one to try it out.
I still put ice on top to get the wax out but I really don’t care if they break because they are cheap and I can replace them. If I have don’t want to mess with the ice I’ll just put this in the freezer.
I wipe out the dish and I just store it when my tarts or candles in the office when it’s not being used.
I know I have already written about drowning wicks and how to fix a tunneling candle. However, Slatkin’s are a bit different. I haven’t had to dig out any wax in one of my three wick candles. I actually had my Cinnamon Sugared Donut going last night and this morning I pulled off the bloomed wick and well I pulled off more than I should have so it was tiny!
No worries!! I lit the candle and quickly had a nice wax pool, however, my tiny wick was lit just not showing a full size flame. I just take a paper towel and roll it up several times. 
You’ll have to excuse my photo, I took it after I fixed the candle. However I want you to be able to see what I do. The flame that was closest to me was hardly lit. I went in near that one since it was so small. If you are afraid of fire and worry that you might light your house up in flames, (once again I say) please blow out your candle first. Since the wick was so short I didn’t bother. You can see how nice the candle looks now. There isn’t a lot of wax build up around the sides, it doesn’t look like I have messed with it at all. That’s the way I like it ^.^!
I only use this method if I have a wax pool but the wicks are barely staying lit. If they are tunneling, then I would have to foil or dig some wax out. I really haven’t had that issue with a Slatkin though.
Enjoy!
I know I have already written about drowning wicks and how to fix a tunneling candle. However, Slatkin’s are a bit different. I haven’t had to dig out any wax in one of my three wick candles. I actually had my Cinnamon Sugared Donut going last night and this morning I pulled off the bloomed wick and well I pulled off more than I should have so it was tiny!
No worries!! I lit the candle and quickly had a nice wax pool, however, my tiny wick was lit just not showing a full size flame. I just take a paper towel and roll it up several times. You’ll have to excuse my photo, I took it after I fixed the candle. However I want you to be able to see what I do. The flame that was closest to me was hardly lit. I went in near that one since it was so small. If you are afraid of fire and worry that you might light your house up in flames, (once again I say) please blow out your candle first. Since the wick was so short I didn’t bother. You can see how nice the candle looks now. There isn’t a lot of wax build up around the sides, it doesn’t look like I have messed with it at all. That’s the way I like it ^.^!
I only use this method if I have a wax pool but the wicks are barely staying lit. If they are tunneling, then I would have to foil or dig some wax out. I really haven’t had that issue with a Slatkin though.
Enjoy!
Many people ask how to get their tarts out of their dish! I have tried several ways and I am going to explain them all to you. You will have to find the way that works best for you.
The Ice Queen:
I thought I would put little names to them just to be funny. This method you simply place a couple of ice cubes on top of the solid tart/wax. After a few minutes, you should be able to move the tart around and slide it out. If you look, the sides start to pull away from the glass/ceramic. Wax shrinks when it’s cold.
Warm Hearted:
Some people like to warm the tart just a little so it comes out. I have never tried this method however if you actually knew me you would know that I never mess with a bowl of wax. Even a little. It’s a scientific fact that I will spill it on me, the floor, the wall..or whatever seems to be available for wax decorating. I’m sure they take a paper towel or something and just wipe it out after trashing the wax.
Making Waves:
I have heard of people placing a few drops of water in the bowl. I am not sure if they do it before they melt a new tart or if this is something they do after it’s melting and right before they turn it off to cool. I believe it’s supposed to make it so the tart can’t seal itself in the bowl. If you have tried this or do this as your method, please share what it does. I have tried it but have had no luck.
What’s Cookin’ Hot Stuff:
Do you have an oil? I have tried this method with again no luck. I took some cooking spray and placed it in the bowl before I have melted a new tart. It didn’t do anything but make the tart smell like cooking spray and pumpkins. Yummy!
Bowl of Ice Cream:
Your freezer can smell yummy too! If your tart warmer has a separate bowl, some people place the bowl in the freezer. I stopped using this method because I heard it makes the glass/ceramic weak and it will break. Also I would forget the bowl and well then it would be in there for days I would be looking all around trying to find it. However, it does make the tart literally fall right out.
Hot Mama:
Just dump the wax in the trash after it doesn’t smell anymore. I will do this but only if I’m in the Kitchen and it wasn’t a whole tart. If the wax is super shallow and I take baby steps to the trash, and there aren’t any sudden movements around me, I should be okay.
More than likely though –> Once again….me….hot wax….things I don’t want burned or to replace. Nuff said.
Palmy:
My directions that came with my tart warmer from YC said to place my palm on the tart and with a little force it should pop out. I don’t want to slice my hand up so I have been scared to do this. I could just see the entire warmer bursting in my hands.
Miners:
I know there are people that use tools to get their solid wax out of the warmer. Once again I don’t want to break the warmer so I don’t really use anything. Sometimes I have been know to score, or make cuts on the top of the wax, so it will break away in pieces. I don’t push down hard on the knife…just enough to thin out areas.
I think that’s all I have! Like I had mentioned before, you will have to find a way that works best for you! Just be careful! Remember it’s glass or ceramic! I don’t want you to cut yourself or spill hot stuff all over you, your dog, your loved ones.
If there is a method you use that isn’t listed please feel free to share!
Many people ask how to get their tarts out of their dish! I have tried several ways and I am going to explain them all to you. You will have to find the way that works best for you.
The Ice Queen:
I thought I would put little names to them just to be funny. This method you simply place a couple of ice cubes on top of the solid tart/wax. After a few minutes, you should be able to move the tart around and slide it out. If you look, the sides start to pull away from the glass/ceramic. Wax shrinks when it’s cold.
Warm Hearted:
Some people like to warm the tart just a little so it comes out. I have never tried this method however if you actually knew me you would know that I never mess with a bowl of wax. Even a little. It’s a scientific fact that I will spill it on me, the floor, the wall..or whatever seems to be available for wax decorating. I’m sure they take a paper towel or something and just wipe it out after trashing the wax.
Making Waves:
I have heard of people placing a few drops of water in the bowl. I am not sure if they do it before they melt a new tart or if this is something they do after it’s melting and right before they turn it off to cool. I believe it’s supposed to make it so the tart can’t seal itself in the bowl. If you have tried this or do this as your method, please share what it does. I have tried it but have had no luck.
What’s Cookin’ Hot Stuff:
Do you have an oil? I have tried this method with again no luck. I took some cooking spray and placed it in the bowl before I have melted a new tart. It didn’t do anything but make the tart smell like cooking spray and pumpkins. Yummy!
Bowl of Ice Cream:
Your freezer can smell yummy too! If your tart warmer has a separate bowl, some people place the bowl in the freezer. I stopped using this method because I heard it makes the glass/ceramic weak and it will break. Also I would forget the bowl and well then it would be in there for days I would be looking all around trying to find it. However, it does make the tart literally fall right out.
Hot Mama:
Just dump the wax in the trash after it doesn’t smell anymore. I will do this but only if I’m in the Kitchen and it wasn’t a whole tart. If the wax is super shallow and I take baby steps to the trash, and there aren’t any sudden movements around me, I should be okay.
More than likely though –> Once again….me….hot wax….things I don’t want burned or to replace. Nuff said.
Palmy:
My directions that came with my tart warmer from YC said to place my palm on the tart and with a little force it should pop out. I don’t want to slice my hand up so I have been scared to do this. I could just see the entire warmer bursting in my hands.
Miners:
I know there are people that use tools to get their solid wax out of the warmer. Once again I don’t want to break the warmer so I don’t really use anything. Sometimes I have been know to score, or make cuts on the top of the wax, so it will break away in pieces. I don’t push down hard on the knife…just enough to thin out areas.
I think that’s all I have! Like I had mentioned before, you will have to find a way that works best for you! Just be careful! Remember it’s glass or ceramic! I don’t want you to cut yourself or spill hot stuff all over you, your dog, your loved ones.
If there is a method you use that isn’t listed please feel free to share!
We have all had that poor candle that has had issues. a drowning wick or wicks or perhaps it’s tunneling. Don’t worry. More than likely you can save the candle. If I buy a jar candle from Yankee Candle I always make sure I have my Illuma-lids around to cover the top. It is supposed to prevent drafts from messing with the flame. If your flame is flickering and dancing all about it might not be a good place for your candle to be sitting. Here are some of my Illuma-lids:
This one is from McCall’s candles. They were a dollar when I purchased them and I got 5. They fit however they will not lift off easily but I use something to get it off the top of the jar. It does the job, a nice deep wax pool!
Can’t spend money on these? You don’t buy jars, you only purchase tumblers? It’s okay. You can wrap your candle in foil. Here is my Pumpkin Brulee and my Pumpkin Patch swirl. The Pumpkin Patch is wrapped on the top and it has an Illuma-lid.
I know it doesn’t look pretty but it works. Once you get the wax pool all the way to the glass, you can remove the foil if you want to. I normally will keep it for a couple of burns before taking it off.
Here is Pumpkin Brulee. It’s a tumber and the Illuma-lids do not fit on it.
I just wrap it where the heat needs to be distributed. You can see how well the wax is melted all the way to the glass. Before I light the candle I normally would trim my wicks, however if the candle is tunneling and if I cut the to the recommended height, it might drown once it gets the wax to completely melt.
Drowning:
Now, it looks like it’s drowning and I have had this problem with this candle. I have taken some of the wax out and put it into a ramekin. When I am ready I just put the ramekin on the tart warmer. **an electric tart warmer that is two pieces..I just place it on the warming plate. I figured a ramekin is made to withstand heat from an oven so it should be able to handle a warming plate.**
How do I get the wax out? Well I typically blow out the candle and wait until it gets a little cooler. I like to be able to scoop the wax out without worrying if it’s going to get all over the table or on me. When it is soft, I get my tools out: A spreader from an old flatware set that I had. I would use a spoon but I don’t always take out wax, actually most of the time I do not have to contend with wax removal. If my candle has started to tunnel and I will use the spreader to fold or pull the wax away from the glass so it melts with the rest of the wax and wrap some foil around it for good measure. It’s more like a multipurpose tool.
I added the wick trimmers to the picture so you can see I have two different types. I like the smaller silver pair. I like how the handles are shaped and it has a little wick clippings holder so it won’t fall into your candle. It’s thick on the bottom so you could sit it down on the candle, trim the wick and it would be the perfect size height. I believe Yankee candles are to have a 1/8 of an inch wick.
I don’t always have to work on my candles. However, for the price that I pay for them I want to make sure that I use as much of the wax as possible. When you get to 1/2 of an inch left you are supposed to discard the candle (Yankee’s directions, others may vary). I never throw it out! I place it in the freezer for a bit, to pull the wax away from the glass. I score the wax so it will break apart and I bag the left overs for tarts! I pay a lot for my candles and want to use every last bit!
The Sock Method:
I have heard that some people use a sock and wrap it around the candle instead of foil. I have tried this and I couldn’t get a full wax pool. I have seen several pictures of candles that have beautiful wax pools that are wrapped in socks and crocheted tubes that slide over the candle. You can try it out. Let me know if yours works better for you!
I hope this helps someone. Please see the Tips/Help category if you need to know more about tunneling or drowning.
We have all had that poor candle that has had issues. a drowning wick or wicks or perhaps it’s tunneling. Don’t worry. More than likely you can save the candle. If I buy a jar candle from Yankee Candle I always make sure I have my Illuma-lids around to cover the top. It is supposed to prevent drafts from messing with the flame. If your flame is flickering and dancing all about it might not be a good place for your candle to be sitting. Here are some of my Illuma-lids:
This one is from McCall’s candles. They were a dollar when I purchased them and I got 5. They fit however they will not lift off easily but I use something to get it off the top of the jar. It does the job, a nice deep wax pool!
Can’t spend money on these? You don’t buy jars, you only purchase tumblers? It’s okay. You can wrap your candle in foil. Here is my Pumpkin Brulee and my Pumpkin Patch swirl. The Pumpkin Patch is wrapped on the top and it has an Illuma-lid.
I know it doesn’t look pretty but it works. Once you get the wax pool all the way to the glass, you can remove the foil if you want to. I normally will keep it for a couple of burns before taking it off.
Here is Pumpkin Brulee. It’s a tumber and the Illuma-lids do not fit on it.
I just wrap it where the heat needs to be distributed. You can see how well the wax is melted all the way to the glass. Before I light the candle I normally would trim my wicks, however if the candle is tunneling and if I cut the to the recommended height, it might drown once it gets the wax to completely melt.
Drowning:
Now, it looks like it’s drowning and I have had this problem with this candle. I have taken some of the wax out and put it into a ramekin. When I am ready I just put the ramekin on the tart warmer. **an electric tart warmer that is two pieces..I just place it on the warming plate. I figured a ramekin is made to withstand heat from an oven so it should be able to handle a warming plate.**
How do I get the wax out? Well I typically blow out the candle and wait until it gets a little cooler. I like to be able to scoop the wax out without worrying if it’s going to get all over the table or on me. When it is soft, I get my tools out: A spreader from an old flatware set that I had. I would use a spoon but I don’t always take out wax, actually most of the time I do not have to contend with wax removal. If my candle has started to tunnel and I will use the spreader to fold or pull the wax away from the glass so it melts with the rest of the wax and wrap some foil around it for good measure. It’s more like a multipurpose tool.
I added the wick trimmers to the picture so you can see I have two different types. I like the smaller silver pair. I like how the handles are shaped and it has a little wick clippings holder so it won’t fall into your candle. It’s thick on the bottom so you could sit it down on the candle, trim the wick and it would be the perfect size height. I believe Yankee candles are to have a 1/8 of an inch wick.
I don’t always have to work on my candles. However, for the price that I pay for them I want to make sure that I use as much of the wax as possible. When you get to 1/2 of an inch left you are supposed to discard the candle (Yankee’s directions, others may vary). I never throw it out! I place it in the freezer for a bit, to pull the wax away from the glass. I score the wax so it will break apart and I bag the left overs for tarts! I pay a lot for my candles and want to use every last bit!
The Sock Method:
I have heard that some people use a sock and wrap it around the candle instead of foil. I have tried this and I couldn’t get a full wax pool. I have seen several pictures of candles that have beautiful wax pools that are wrapped in socks and crocheted tubes that slide over the candle. You can try it out. Let me know if yours works better for you!
I hope this helps someone. Please see the Tips/Help category if you need to know more about tunneling or drowning.