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How to Dissolve Wax Esters

Waxes, especially natural oil waxes like soy and palm wax, are essentially just long, microscopic chains of fatty lipids, or esters. These esters help the wax burn by soaking into the wick and giving the flame fuel. They're also the force behind the melted wax because they tend to collapse when heated. Because these esters are so dense, however, it's impossible to dissolve them in water. If you want to dissolve wax esters for an experiment, you'll need to try other solvents.

Things You'll Need

Saucepan
Rubbing alcohol
Heat source: stove range or hot plate
Facemask
Wax: candle, wax block, wax sheet, crayons
Heat-proof plastic spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a small saucepan about two-thirds full of rubbing alcohol. Place the pan on a heat source and warm it gently over medium low heat. The alcohol will have a sharp smell; wear a face mask if it begins bothering your sinuses.
- 2
  Bring the alcohol to a simmer over medium heat. Turn the heat back down just a little to keep it at a simmer. Alcohol evaporates faster than water, so the warmer it is, the faster it will cook away.
- 3
  Break your wax up into small pieces, no larger than a dime. Add them, one at a time, to the warmed rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will stop simmering when you add another item or element to it.
- 4
  Turn the heat back up to medium, bringing the alcohol back to a simmer. Stir gently with a heat-proof plastic spoon.
- 5
  Continue stirring the simmering mixture and watch the wax. It should slowly melt and dissolve. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. The liquid should become very thick, but should not turn back into wax unless you leave it out for several days.

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