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I Couldn’t Resist an Enamel Coffee Mug Candle

Over the past year, I have been hooked on homemade soap and candle making. Maybe it’s the art of blending fragrances or working with ingredients like herbs, shea butter, and beeswax, or maybe it’s how darn pretty they all turn out.

Someone once perceptively pointed out to me, that I like to make pretty things, and will often go beyond a task (huh, overachiever or crazy…) to make things not only useful but pretty.

It should come as no surprise, that I couldn’t resist making an enamel coffee mug candle or two or three of them… 

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How to make a homemade enamel coffee mug candle aka the most adorable candle ever!

Can you blame me?

Come on, an enamel coffee mug candle is so darn cute! They are a classic camping staple with a vintage look that appeals to everyone. DIY candles hand poured into an enamel mug seriously make a great handmade gift for men or women. Fill an outdoorsman enamel mug with a rich coffee aroma or an earthy wood scent he’ll enjoy. Or blend a dreamy latte or hot cocoa scent into a farmhouse style enamel mug for her. 

Honestly, how can you go wrong with an enamel coffee mug candle? 

Related To: Easy to Make Coffee Soap

Related To: Zero Waste Gift Giving Ideas

How can you make a candle in a mug?

While just about any ceramic coffee mug can be made into a mug candle, enamel mugs are perfectly made for it! When you consider what an enamel mug is made of – stainless steel, coated in a durable layer of enamel and fired together at a temperature of 1,560 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, you get a light-weight yet strong and durable, heat resistant container. 

How hot can you heat an enamel mug? 

An enamel mug can withstand incredible temperatures. Designed to be placed over open flames to heat soup, broth, hot cocoa, tea, and of course coffee.  It truly is the perfect vessel for a homemade candle mug! 

Make an irresistible enamel coffee mug candle or repurpose any mug with our easy candle wax calculator. It’s the easiest way to measure candle wax to make a candle in a mug.

How do you calculate candle wax for a coffee mug candle?

While one can make soy candles in a variety of containers, a coffee mug can present a dilemma. Determining how much wax is needed for a candle in a mug requires a bit of tactic. 

The quickest way to measure how much wax is need for a mug candle is to flip the mug over and check for a label or imprint of the ounces it holds. Then deduct a quarter to half an ounce to leave room for a candle melt pool. And place that amount into a candle wax calculator. 

If a label or imprint can’t be found, try filling the mug with water to the brim, then pour it into a glass measuring cup to measure the total ounces. And repeat with the steps above. 

You can also calculate your fragrance load with our fragrance load calculator too for a great scent throw. 

New to candle making? Get a head start with candle terminology using our Candle Making Glossary Swipe File!

New to candle making? Get a head start with candle terminology using our Candle Making Glossary Swipe File in the Simple Living Library.


How to make an Enamel Coffee Mug Candle

Coffee Mug Candle Instructions: 

1. Measure Candle Wax

Calculator your wax needed here, then with a kitchen scale measure your soy wax flakes to make 2 coffee mug candles. 

2. Melt Candle Wax

Pour your measured soy wax in a candle melting pitcher to safely melt the wax. Place the pitcher filled with wax inside a large saucepan filled with 2 inches of water. Using the double boiler method, heat on medium to low heat with gentle simmer at most to the melting point of your candle wax. Stir often with a heat resistant silicone whisk.

3. Cool & Fragrance Melted Wax

Remove the pitcher from the heat immediately, after melting to avoid burning the wax or overheating. Then clip a candle thermometer inside of the pitcher. 

Allow the temperature of the wax to cool to below the flashpoint of your fragrance. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to thoroughly incorporate fragrance when added. 

4. Pour Scented Wax & Place Wicks

As the wax begins to melt, dip the metal tab of each cotton wick into the wax. Carefully center and adhere to the bottom of each mug. Hold in place for a few seconds. After a few minutes, the wax will harden and it will have a good hold on the container. 

Next, gently pour your coffee-scented wax into each mug. Place an optional centering device over each wick to help keep them in place during the curing process. 

Before trimming each wick allow the candle mugs to cool and the wax to harden for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Trim each wick to about ¼ an inch. Allow your enamel coffee mug candle to cure for 3 days before lighting. 1 to 2 weeks is even better for a strong smelling candle. 

A DIY enamel coffee mug candle makes the perfect handmade gift for him or her.  Here’s how to make a candle in mug!

Are you loving the comeback of enamelware too? Check out your local thrift or antique store for vintage enamel mugs you can repurpose into an enamel coffee mug candle. They make an attractive zero waste gift idea!

Pin these easy techniques on how to make a candle in mug and tag #lifenreflection on Instagram to share your candle making with us.

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