I've had fun making some more lemon candles. Each one is different because each lemon is a slightly different size and shape. Also, as the lemons dry, they tend to change shape a bit. These are great to use in the kitchen, or to give away to friends who like unique gifts.
Here is how to make them:
Materials:
Birthday candles (can be used)
Lemons
Old sauce pan (not used for food)
Old tin can (to use as double boiler in sauce pan) -- Make sure the label is completely removed from your can.
Wax of whatever color you like (can be melted wax from other candles)
Old knife (not used for food) to control wax when pouring into lemon
First lay out all your supplies. Then slice your lemon(s) in half. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon to use for lemonade, baking, or whatever else you like. Then carefully pull all the membrane out of the lemon. If a little waxy part sticks up in the center of the lemon, trim it off.
Now place a little water in the bottom of the pan. Not too much because you don't want the can inside the pan to tip over. Put some wax of your preferred color in the tin can. Place the can inside the water inside the old sauce pan. Turn burner on medium.
Heat until wax is completely melted. If you are using old wax from "recycled" candles, any debris (such as pieces of wick from the old candle) will settle to the bottom of the wax as it melts.
While wax is melting, measure the height of your wick by placing a birthday candle inside the lemon peel. Measure from the top of the candle. Be careful not to break the wick. Trim the candle to the right height -- trim the bottom of the candle. You don't want to cut off the wick.
Set lemon peels on a hard, heat resistant surface. Pour in melted wax, directing the stream with the edge of your knife if necessary. Take care not to let the lemon skin tip over. If you are using "recycled" wax, take care not to pour all of the wax in or you may get some debris in your new candles.
Allow the melted wax from the birthday candle to cool.
Trim the wick of the birthday candle so that it is not too high.
Peel the melted wax from the birthday candle off the top of the colored wax. It should peel off easily. This will make the candles look better.
Now your candles are ready to light and use or to give away to a friend. Enjoy! :-)