Making beeswax candles in eggshells is one of our favorite Spring traditions! I make them every year for my son’s birthday celebration ring since his birthday always falls close to Easter. We add them to our Spring table as well. Eggshells are a wonderful sustainable and low waste option for making candles if your family already consumes eggs. After the candles have been burned down the eggshells can be crushed and added to your garden soil (after removing any wick tabs). If you’d like add essential oil, you may do so prior to pouring your wax.

Materials:

– eggshells
– pure beeswax
– cotton candle wick
– sustainer tabs
— a heat-proof container to melt you wax (I use this stainless steel pitcher)
– something to place inside of your pot for your melting container to sit on top of, such as a metal cookie cutter or this silicone egg rack that we use
– clothespins
– candy thermometer (optional)

Instructions to make eggshell beeswax candles

Step 1: How to melt beeswax using the double boiler method

Place your heat-proof container inside of a larger pot. Place a metal cookie cutter under your container so that it does not sit directly on the bottom of the larger pot. This double boiler set up allows the beeswax to melt slowly and evenly. Fill the larger pot with water so that the bottom of your container is submerged a few inches. Place the beeswax inside of the container along with the thermometer if you are using one. Heat the water and simmer over medium-low heat. You want your beeswax to liquify and reach a temperature between 150°F and 160°F. Make sure that you keep an eye on the wax— pouring at the proper temperature is extremely important to avoid issues such as wax tunneling.

Step 2: How to prepare the eggshells

Prepare your eggshells and wick while your wax is melting. Use a spoon to gently crack open the top of each egg and remove the top third or half of the shell. Empty the eggshell out entirely (if we aren’t cooking them right away, I empty them into a jar and place them in the fridge to be used later). Give the inside of each egg a good rinse and gently remove the inner membrane. Let dry completely. Place eggshells into an egg carton.

Step 3: How to prepare the wick

Cut a length of wick for each eggshell that is a couple inches longer than the final length that you’ll need. Dip the entire wick into the melted wax, letting the wax saturate the wick for a few minutes. Straighten the wick out and lay on a piece of parchment paper to cool. Attach each wick to a sustainer tab. Occasionally I’ll note that sustainer tabs are optional (such as for tea lights that are not in any sort of container or if the wick is extremely short, such as with walnut shell candles) but I advise using them for these for safety. Add a small amount of wax to the bottom of each eggshell and attach your wick. Repeat for each eggshell.

Step 4: Pouring the beeswax

Carefully pour the beeswax into the first eggshell until it reaches your desired height. Straighten the wick immediately if has moved during the process and secure with a clothespin. Let the wax cool and harden while being careful to not disturb it. It may take several hours. Trim the wicks once the beeswax has completely hardened.

Use + Safety:

Always trim candle wicks to approximately 1/8” before lightning. These candles must be placed in a holder when they are burned since they are round on the bottom. The eggshell will be hot when the candle is burning. Supervise children and pets at all times. DO NOT leave a burning candle unattended. These candles will burn for 3-4 hours, depending on how much wax is used. After burning these candles, any remaining eggshells can be crushed and added to your garden soil (after removing any wick tabs)