How to Make Rolled Beeswax Candles (In Minutes!)

When I say it's easy to make hand-rolled beeswax candles, I mean this is the simplest DIY project anyone can make in minutes. Using 100% pure beeswax sheets, you simply add a wick, roll, light, and bask in their cosy (non-toxic!) glow. And, of course, feel smug in the knowledge that you not only saved money, but you made these yourself.

I am the opposite of crafty Marth Stewart-type people. And yet, my 12-year-old son and I made these beautiful homemade beeswax candles while he was home sick from school last week. It took a few minutes and cost only $1.35 per candle, compared with $10 at boutique stores.

The Christmas season can be stressful, so this was a calm pause amidst the hustle and bustle. I sat humming "Just a candle in the window" as I sipped tea and enjoyed the sweet smell of beeswax that wafted in the air.

Full disclosure - There was one stressish moment when I realised I didn't roll my candles tightly enough, and when I lit the candle, the wax dripped down the side. Womp. Womp. But it was still pretty or the "GOAT" as my son likes to say (which means "greatest of all time," apparently). Fortunately, you won't make this mistake if you follow these directions.

Why Rolled Beeswax Candles Are the Easiest Candles to Make
Although I also love making poured beeswax candles in jars with wooden wicks that crackle like a real fire, hand-rolled beeswax candles are SO much simpler. There's NO melting, NO temperature monitoring, and NO messy pots to clean.

It's also safe for kids, so this could be an excellent idea for your next family activity

Materials

• Square braided cotton wicks - Beeswax is harder than soy or paraffin wax, so it needs a wick that burns hotter and stronger. Square braided cotton wicks are perfect for beeswax. You can purchase different sizes based on the thickness (not height!) of the candle you will be making.

• #1/0 - perfect for thin rolled taper candles (like the ones in this post)
• #2/0 - for thicker rolled candles (two or more beeswax sheets stacked)
• #3/0 - You'd only use a #3/0 if you're rolling a pillar-style candle that is thicker than two inches.

Note: The beeswax-coated hemp wicks look appealing, but they are not suitable for beeswax. Hemp wicks are designed for softer, lower-melting-point waxes and often extinguish or struggle to stay lit in beeswax candles.

• 100% pure beeswax sheets - I used 8 x 8-inch square beeswax sheets, but you have a few other options:

Square 8 x 8 inch sheets (what I used) - amazon.ca or amazon.com
Large sheets (16 x 7 inches) for thicker or taller candles - amazon.ca or amazon.com
Colored sheets (for Christmas or seasonal candles) - amazon.ca or amazon.com
Beginner rolled beeswax kit - amazon.ca or amazon.com

*Note that bundled kits are usually more expensive (about $3.40 per candle) because you're paying for the convenience of having everything together.

• Pair of scissors - You'll need these for cutting your wick to the correct length.

• Pizza cutter or a sharp kitchen knife - If you want to make smaller, shorter, or more decorative candle shapes, you'll need something to cut your beeswax sheets.

• Hair dryer - I used a hair dryer to warm and seal the end of the candle, but you can also use it to gently warm the beeswax sheets if they feel stiff or brittle. This prevents cracking while rolling.

Related: Do you have raw beeswax from your own hive or a local beekeeper? Here's my mess-free guide to cleaning and melting beeswax.

Instructions

1. Decide what size candle you would like to make. You can absolutely use the sheet as is (as I did in this photo) or cut the sheet of beeswax to make a smaller candle.
   
   Tip: You can also stack two or more sheets together to make a thicker candle.

2. Once you've measured and cut your sheet of beeswax, you can then cut your candle wick to size. Lay your wick along the end of the beeswax sheet. Leave ¼ inch sticking out of one of the sides. This will be the side of the candle you will light.
   
   
   
   

3. Test your sheet of wax to see how pliable it is. If the sheet feels stiff or brittle and looks like it will crack, use a hair dryer to heat the sheet first until it reaches room temperature, which makes it more flexible. If it seems pliable enough, you can start rolling the first edge of the beeswax sheet.
   
   *Roll the first end of the sheet very tightly so the wax seals around the wick. Otherwise, the candle may not light properly.

4. Continue slowly rolling the entire sheet using gentle pressure. Keep it straight and roll tightly. You don't want any air gaps, or your candle will burn too fast. As you roll, take a peek at the top and bottom of the candle every so often to ensure it looks tight.

5. Once you've reached the end of the sheet, you'll need to seal the candle so it doesn't come apart while it's burning. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the edge of the wax and press the bottom edge firmly into the candle so the wax seals.

6. If needed, trim the candle wick again to ensure it's about ¼ inch above the surface of the wax. This will ensure a safe and even burn.
   
   Note: The top and bottom of the candle should be flat and even.
   
   And voila! You have a cozy, slow-burning rolled candle.

Tips for success

• Choose a clean, flat work surface. You don't want debris to stick to your wax.
• Use parchment paper or a cutting board to protect your work surface.
• Trim your wick to ¼ inch.
• Roll the beeswax tightly around the wick to ensure it lights and the candle doesn't burn too fast. The FIRST roll is the most important. You want it to be nice and tight.
• If your beeswax sheets are too brittle, prevent cracking by warming them with a hair dryer before rolling.
• Always burn your candle on a heat-safe surface and never leave it unattended. Beeswax burns hotter than paraffin, so rolled candles can drip if exposed to drafts. Here are some other candle safety tips.

How to choose the correct wick size for rolled beeswax candles

The thickness of your rolled candle (not the height!) determines the wick size you need. Thinner tapers (one sheet) require a smaller wick so the flame won't burn too hot, while thicker candles (multiple stacked sheets) need a larger wick to melt the beeswax evenly.

If the wick is too small, the candle may drip or go out. If it's too large, it may burn too quickly.

As a general rule, choose #1/0 for one sheet and #2/0 for thicker or multi-sheet candles. You'd only use a #3/0 if you're rolling a pillar-style candle thicker than two inches.

REMEMBER: Because rolled sheets contain tiny air pockets, they burn faster than solid, poured candles. This is why wick sizes for rolled beeswax candles differ from those used in standard pillar-candle charts.

Rolled Beeswax Candle Wick Size Chart

How to maximize burn time

• Roll your candle evenly and tightly to minimise air pockets. I know I've said this a few times now in this post, but I can't stress it enough: The less air, the slower it burns.
• Trim your candle wick to ¼ inch before lighting.
• Keep your candles away from airy drafts.

How long do rolled beeswax candles burn for?

The candles I made using a single 8 x 8-inch sheet will burn for about 3 to 4 hours. But you can easily roll thicker candles that last much longer. Here's a quick burn-time cheat sheet:

*Each additional rolled sheet adds about 3 to 4 hours of burn time.

Note: If you want to make candles that last longer, check out my post on poured beeswax candles. Using the same amount of beeswax, they will last twice as long. This is because the rolled beeswax sheets trap tiny air pockets, making the candle burn faster.

Variations

I used a single 8 x 8-inch sheet to make classic taper candles, but you can also make thicker or shorter candles using the same beeswax sheets:

Short and chunky beeswax candles: Cut your sheet in half lengthwise, then stack 2-3 layers before rolling. This creates a thicker, shorter candle that burns longer and looks beautiful on a holiday table.

Twisted spiral beeswax candles: Cut your beeswax sheet diagonally from corner to corner to create a long triangle. Place the wick along the longest side and roll tightly toward the point. This naturally forms a gorgeous spiral that looks intricate but takes only a minute.

Perfect for gifting

If you happen to get a little carried away with rolling sheets of beeswax, these handmade beeswax candles also make thoughtful holiday gifts.

With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make a batch. Simply tie them together with lace, twine, or ribbon and add a small sprig of evergreen or dried flowers for a festive touch. These hand-rolled candles also look lovely tucked into gift baskets tied with natural twine.

What to do with leftover beeswax

Don't let it go to waste! Use your extras to make my healing beeswax salve or homemade chapstick.

Storage

Store your candles somewhere cool and out of the sun. Beeswax softens in heat and can form a natural white bloom over time. Simply wipe it away with a cloth, and the warm golden glow returns.

Troubleshooting / FAQ

Rolled beeswax candles are the perfect beginner-friendly DIY project. There's no melting, no burners, and no mess. It's simple enough for young children to help with and satisfying enough that you'll want to roll a batch every year.

More cozy candle ideas

Poured beeswax jar candles: If you'd rather pour candles into jars instead of rolling sheets, try my long-burning poured beeswax candle recipe.

Lard candles: Beeswax can be expensive if you don't have a hive to harvest it from. If you want to save money, you can also try these easy and inexpensive lard candles.

Beautiful Rolled Beeswax Candles (Easy DIY!)

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Make four beautiful hand-rolled beeswax candles in minutes ($1.35 per candle) using natural beeswax sheets and cotton wicks. They're simple, cozy, and make the perfect handmade gift.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 candles

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 4 100% pure beeswax sheets (8x8 inches) - any color
• 4 Square braided cotton wicks - #1/0 for thin tapers and #2/0 for thicker candles (2-3 stacked sheets)

Equipment

• 1 Pair of scissors - You'll need these for cutting your wick to the right length.
• 1 Pizza cutter or a sharp kitchen knife - If you want to make smaller, shorter, or more decorative candle shapes, you'll need a pizza cutter or knife to cut the beeswax sheets.
• 1 Hair dryer - I used a hair dryer to warm and seal the end of the candle but you can also use it to gently warm the beeswax sheets if they feel stiff or brittle. This prevents cracking while rolling.

Method

 

1. Test your sheet of wax to see how pliable it is. If the sheet feels stiff or brittle and looks like it will crack, use a hair dryer to heat the sheet until it reaches room temperature, which makes it more flexible. If it seems pliable enough, you can use it as is.
2. Lay your wick along the end of your beeswax sheet. Leave ¼ inch of the wick sticking out from one of the sides. This will be the side of the candle you will light.
3. Begin to roll the end of the sheet around the wick. Note: Roll this first end of the sheet very tightly so the wax seals around the wick. Otherwise, your candle may not light properly.
4. Continue slowly rolling the entire sheet using gentle pressure. Keep it straight and roll tightly. You don't want any airy gaps or your candle will burn too fast. As you roll, take a peek at the top and bottom of the candle every so often to ensure it looks tight.
5. Once you've reached the end of the sheet, you'll need to seal the candle so it doesn't come apart while it's burning. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the edge of the wax and press the bottom edge firmly into the candle so the wax seals.
6. If needed, trim the candle wick again to ensure its about ¼ inch above the surface of the wax. This ensures a safe and even burn.
7. And voila! You have a cozy, slow-burning, rolled candle.

Notes

Burn time: If you are rolling one 8 by 8 inch square sheet, your candle should last 3 to 4 hours. If you stack two or more sheets, your candle may last up to 8 hours and if you stack three sheets together, it should last 9 to 12 hours.  

Avoid drafts to prevent dripping.

Store finished candles at room temperature so they stay firm.

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