Wax Melt Burners

How a wax melt burner works

The design is simple. A dish sits at the top, and underneath it there is space for the heat that warms it, traditionally a tealight. As the dish warms, the wax softens and turns to liquid, and the fragrance in it rises into the room. A wax melt has no wick, so the wax is not burnt away; it is the scent that gets used up, and once you can no longer smell it, it is time for a fresh melt.

Give the melt time to turn fully liquid before you judge the scent, as an even pool of warm wax gives off more fragrance than a half-melted lump.

Why it is also called an oil burner

The name oil burner comes from aromatherapy, where a little water goes in the dish with a few drops of essential oil and is warmed gently until the scent rises. The same simple shape suits wax melts too, which is why the two names are used for much the same thing, as are wax warmer and tart burner.

If you would like to warm oil rather than wax, check the details of the burner you choose before you do, and keep an eye on the water so the dish never runs dry.

Picking a spot, a dish size and a style

We would start with where the burner will sit. It needs a flat, steady, heat-resistant surface out of draughts, clear of curtains and shelves overhead, and out of reach of children and pets. Then look at the dish: a wider one holds more wax, which suits a larger or open-plan room, while a more compact one is plenty for a bedroom or a study.

Lastly, think about the room it will join. Some of our burners are white, a colour that sits quietly in a pale or neutral scheme. If you like a cosy, classic look, some in ceramic will suit it, while a few in glass can let a soft glow show through once the burner is lit. You will also find a few with a shiny finish that catches the light.

Burner, candle or reed diffuser: how they differ

The three scent a room in different ways. A scented candle burns its own wax and wick, so the fragrance and the candle run out together. A reed diffuser works without heat, giving a steady background scent around the clock. A wax melt burner gives fragrance while it is warm and lets it fade as it cools, so you decide when the room is scented and for how long.

Choosing a burner as a gift

A burner makes a thoughtful present, because it stays on the shelf long after the first melts are used up. Some in our range make a lovely gift for her, and a few are just the thing for Mum or for Mother's Day. Add a few melts in a scent she already loves, perhaps one that echoes a candle she burns or a perfume she wears, so the gift feels complete the day she opens it.

Changing the melt and cleaning the dish

When the scent has faded, there are two easy ways to clear the dish. With the heat off, soak up the warm wax with a cotton pad or kitchen paper while it is still liquid, or let it cool and set, then press gently at the edge so it can lift out in one piece. Never pour melted wax down the sink, as it hardens in the pipes.

The dish gets hot in use, so let the burner cool fully before you touch or move it, and never leave it lit while you are out of the room. Once it is cold, wipe the dish with a soft cloth and a little warm, soapy water if it needs it; the same cloth usually clears any dark mark the flame has left underneath.