Do It Yourself Wax Melter

Step by step instructions for converting a Presto Kitchen Kettle into an efficient, cost-effective wax melter with a handy spigot for easy dispensing.

 

Making Budget-friendly Wax Melters from Presto Kitchen Kettles
Contributed by Alan Wallace, Peak Candle Supplies
 

 

 

Built in thermostat to regulate heat. Never set the thermostat beyond 250 F.

CRW_6912 - Copy

 

Sooner or later you may find that a double boiler just can’t keep up with your demand for hot wax. While commercial wax melters certainly have their place in a production environment, prices for a commercial melter may set you back at least $600. For many candle-makers that kind of investment simply isn’t practical while they are trying to grow their business. Enter the Presto Kitchen Kettle, often simply referred to as a Presto Pot.

A Presto Pot has a few features that make it attractive to candle-makers that are looking to expand their wax melting capacity beyond the traditional double boiler. First of all, it has a built-in heating element that is able to melt seven or eight pounds of wax in about 20 minutes. It has an adjustable thermostat to regulate the temperature and get you in the ballpark of your proper temperatures (you still need to monitor your temperatures with a real thermometer). It has a non-stick surface that is easy to wipe clean with a paper towel while it is still warm. And the most attractive thing about them is that they are cheap, and as your needs grow you can scale up the number of Presto Pots that you use.

You can find them at your local discount stores like Wal-mart or Target for about $20-30. Many second-hand stores will also have used ones for a few dollars. Just be sure that it has the adjustable thermostat. Non-adjustable deep fryers, like fry-daddy’s, are not to be used for melting wax as they have a fixed heat setting that is dangerously high for wax. Don’t even think about it. Never let your wax exceed 250 degrees F and never set your thermostat beyond that. It will not speed up the melting process.

In this article, we are going to attach a spigot to make a used Presto Pot handier for our purposes. With a spigot attached, we can easily dispense molten wax directly into our pouring pitcher. Some candle-makers will prefer to mix dye, fragrance oil, etc. directly in the Presto Pot. Others will prefer to do the mixing only after the melted wax is in the pouring pitcher, in essence leaving only clean wax in the melter. It is really up to you and probably depends on the size of the batches you typically do. Here we go.

 

CRW_7471 - Copy - CopyIn addition to a Presto Pot, you will need:

The following brass parts and tools:

  • 3/8″ Hex Nipple
  • 3/8″ Full-Port Ball Valve, ball valves are preferred over any other kind of valve because of the heat tolerance and because of the short motion required to open and close them.
  • 3/8″ Elbow

CRW_7466 - Copy - Copy

  • Power Drill
  • Crescent Wrench
  • 19/32″ Drill Bit
  • small drill bit
  • center punch
  • Thread tap to match the size and threads of the brass fittings
  • teflon tape

 

 

Instructions: 

CRW_7484 - Copy (2)Step 1: Create a Pilot Hole

Begin by using the center punch to mark the location for your pilot hole. Because of the non-stick surface of the Presto Pot, this step is important to guide your drill bit. Position it as close to the bottom as possible, but keep in mind that the resulting hole will need to be slightly above the heating element (don’t want to end up drilling into the heating element)

CRW_7490Make sure you are wearing proper eye protection.

Using a small drill bit, create a pilot hole to guide the larger drill bit.

 

CRW_7494 - Copy

 

 

The size of the smaller bit is unimportant, the point is to create a pilot hole to guide the larger bit. without a pilot, things can get sloppy.

 

 

 

CRW_7498Step 2: Drill Large Hole

Place the presto pot upside down on a firm surface. Then, using a 19/32″ drill bit, bore the hole out for the larger diameter.

 

CRW_7499

 

 

Again, you should already be wearing eye protection.

 

 

 

CRW_7502 - Copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRW_7507Step 3: Tap Hole

Using a thread tap that is suited for the size of the brass fitting, tap threads into the pot.

 

 

CRW_7508

 

You will want to back out the tap every few turns and check to see if the brass fittings can be inserted. Once they can be screwed in with some slight resistance, stop tapping

 

 

 

 

CRW_7516Step 4: Prepare fittings with teflon tape.

Using some teflon tape, prepare the fittings as shown. Wrap the tape in a clock-wise fashion around the threads.

 

 

CRW_7515

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRW_7519Step 5: Install nipple

With the nipple fitting wrapped in teflon tape, screw it into the pot. The wrench comes in handy here

 

CRW_7518

 

 

Do not tighten it all the way to the hex. It is not necessary.

 

 

CRW_7520

 

At this point, the nipple protrudes only slightly into the pot. But it is securely in place due to the presence of the threads.

 

 

 

CRW_7522

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRW_7524Step 6: Install Ball Valve

Using a wrench install the ball valve. Pay attention to the orientation of the ball valve. The ball valve is installed in such an orientation that the valve will open as the handle is pulled AWAY from the pot.

Tighten securely. Some rotation of the nipple will occure here and that is a good thing. Tighten until the entire assembly feels relatively tight and secure. Remember though that the pot is constructed of aluminum so you will not want to use excessive force. It is easy to strip the threads in the aluminum pot.

CRW_7525 - CopyThen flip over the pot and give it any fine adjustments to make the ball valve handle level with your work surface.

 

 

CRW_7528

 

 

Add the lass fitting, the elbow. No tools are needed for this as it only needs to be hand tightened. Keep the valve handle stable as you install the elbow.

 

 

 

CRW_7530 - Copy

Step 7: Test for Leaks

Here is the almost finished melting pot.

 

 

CRW_7533 - Copy

 

 

 

The last thing to do is test for leaks. This is done by filling the pot with water. Allow it to sit for several hours. Check the fittings for any wetness that would be indicative of a leak.

 

 

 

CRW_6912 - CopyThe finished product 

 

 

 


26 comments on “Do It Yourself Wax Melter
  1. Dinette says:

    Many sites say that you have to use a double boiler. Can you use a presto kitchen kettle and it not affect the outcome?

    • administrator says:

      We recommend using a double boiler method as the safest method of melting wax, but if you have a presto pot that has an adjustable temperature dial, it can be used. If the temperature cannot be controlled, then we do not recommend using it because the wax can get too hot and catch fire.

  2. C. Anne Boland says:

    I have been using a Presto pot for a while. I have used it for paraffin mottling waz and gel. It works great!

  3. felix says:

    Mindblowing of you guys to share your ideas with us, its super and safe. Thanks for your support, wishing the team all the best in all your future projects,rock and roll…

  4. Lanette Allendorf says:

    How do you keep the spigot from getting clogged with dried/cooled wax?

    • administrator says:

      The spigot conducts heat from the body of the melter. Wax will continue to flow down to the melt point of the wax. You will usually be working at temperatures far enough above the melting point that there is very little risk of the wax solidifying inside the spigot. If it does, you can use a heat gun to gently heat up the spigot.

      It is worth mentioning that I’ve heard of at least a few disasters associated with filling the melter with wax, and then walking away with the valve left open as the wax melted. So, always double check the valve position when adding more wax to the melter.

  5. Tameka says:

    Is there a way to add a hose attachment? If so, what would be the material/type of hose needed?

  6. Victoria says:

    Hello, I have not had any luck in the search for the 19/32″ drill bit that the instructions call for. Is that the correct size bit_

    • Alan Wallace says:

      Hi Victoria. The 19/32″ bit is the correct size. However, as you have found, it can be a difficult size to track down. I think a 9/16″ bit will work, too, since you will be tapping the hole to create threads inside of it.

  7. Marcia says:

    Hi there, is a Presto Pot the same as an electric frying pan?

  8. Dennis says:

    Tap size ??

  9. Wendy says:

    We’re going to try making this tonight. Wish us luck!

  10. Wendy says:

    Where did you purchase all the material? We’ve checked at Home Depot, ACE, Tractor Supply and Harbor Freight.
    Thanks,
    Wendy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This Months Featured Artisan

Candle Making

candle making instructions

Whether you are a seasoned pro looking for inspirational ideas, or a budding candle maker, our step-by-step tutorials will walk you through numerous candle making projects.

Bath & Body

bath body soapmaking

Here we have a number of different demonstrations and projects for soap making, as well as other bath and body products.

Fragrant Living

Fragrant Living Projects

Who doesn't like things that smell good? Here are a few other projects that might interest you.