The WX05 is an insulated band-style pail heater specifically designed to fit a 5-gallon metal bucket or pail and safely and efficiently heat up your wax or glycerin. The heater is built for use with 120 volts AC, drawing 1.46 amps thus producing 175 watts. It has a preset thermostat set to maintain a blanket temperature of 200 °F / 93.3 °C and a product temperature of 185 °F / 85 °C (± 10 °F / 5 °C). The WX05 Wax Blanket should never be used on a plastic or poly bucket as the high temperatures generated from the pail heater will melt the plastic bucket.
Melting Wax & Glycerin
Soap making and candle making are ancient practices. The methods in which the glycerin or wax is heated into a useable form by the artisan are as old as the art forms themselves. Double boilers on the stove top, hot plates, and microwaves are the old standby methods, each complete with an equal list of pros and cons.
Melting Wax for Candle Making
Whether beeswax, soy, paraffin, or palm wax, the melting properties are similar. Rule number one for melting any type of wax is, never leave it unattended during the heating process. The nature of solid wax is that it liquefies slowly, but then the temperature rises quite rapidly. Certain types of wax can actually give off flammable vapors and even combust if the temperature reaches the flash point. Furthermore, it can quickly scorch and become unusable. As a general rule of thumb, wax should never be heated above 250F.
Melting Glycerin for Soap & Cosmetics
Glycerin is the most common base for melting and pour soaps. It is similar in feel and nature to wax, though with a lower melting point than wax (approximately 65-70F). Rule number one still applies here- don't leave it unattended. Glycerin can scorch and become unusable in a hurry if not supervised.
Powerblanket® WX05 Insulated 5-Gallon Bucket Wax & Glycerin Heating Blanket.