Can Microwaves Melt Crayons? (Here’s How to Do It RIGHT!)
So, you’ve got a bunch of old broken crayons lying around. You don’t want to just throw them away—you know they’re good for more than just the trash bin!
But you’re wondering: can you melt crayons in the microwave?
The answer is yes! And we’re going to show you how. Here’s how to recycle your old crayons into something totally new and awesome.
Can microwaves melt crayons?
The answer is yes, but you got to be careful. It is more complicated than you would think!
If the wax gets too hot, it may splatter or boil over the container. You should not handle crayons without some form of protection to prevent burns.
When microwaving a crayon, make sure that you are putting it in an oven-safe or microwave-safe container. Take the time to pay attention and you will be able to melt crayons safely and quickly in a microwave.
There is some debate over whether or not microwaves can damage crayons. If you do choose to microwave your crayons, be sure not to exceed the recommended power level and cook time.
Also, be careful not to burn your hands while microwaving your crayons!
How to microwave crayons
Step 1: Gathering up all your crayon colors
The first thing you need to do is gather the crayons that you are going to melt. You can either melt all the same colors together, or you can opt for similar colors.
When you decide to melt crayons in the microwave, you do need to figure out your color scheme first to ensure that you get the outcome you are looking for.
Step 2: Removing all the wrappers from each crayon
The next step is going to be removing the paper wrapping fully from each crayon.
Leaving the wrapper on the crayon can cause the wax to melt unevenly, the paper can burn, and it can ruin the melted wax.
If you are going to go through the trouble of melting crayons in the microwave, it is important that you take the time to remove the paper.
Step 3: Planning on what colors to sort out and melt together
You then need to sort out your colors. If you are using the same color you can just sort so that you have all the same color.
If you are going to be mixing colors you do need to think about what the final color is going to be when the crayons melt together.
You can use color theory to figure out what colors are going to mix together and what the final result is likely to be.
It is important that you keep the final color in mind rather than what the colors look like when they are solid and in the bowl together.
Step 4: Using a microwave-safe molding or bowl
Your next step is going to be to find the mold or the bowl that you are using to melt the crayons.
You can get molds that are specially made for melting crayons, you can get molds that you can pour the crayons into after they have melted, and you can even get molds that can help shape the crayons.
When you do decide to melt them, you need to get molds and bowls that are safe for use in the microwave for the actual microwaving process.
Silicone is a great material for melting crayons as it does not get hot and it is microwave safe.
Step 5: Microwaving the crayons
It is now time to microwave the crayons.
This is going to be a process and you are going to need to figure out what power your microwave is on, you are going to need to melt your crayons for short periods of time.
Break the crayons into smaller pieces and place them in the microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between.
This is going to help keep the wax from burning and keep it from becoming discolored. You then want to mix the wax until it is smooth and until it is ready to pour.
Step 6: Waiting for the crayon to cool down and harden
Your next step is going to be to let the crayon harden. The time it takes to harden depends on a few things.
First, if you are using a very thick mold it is going to take longer for the inside of the crayon mold to fully harden.
If you are using a thin mold it is only going to take a few minutes.
For the most part, it is only going to take about ten minutes for the crayons to fully harden and be ready to move and use.
What is the melting point of crayons?
We all know what happens when you put a crayon in the microwave. It melts, right?
Well, it turns out that the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. The melting point of crayons is between 120-147 degrees Fahrenheit, but it might depend on the color and type of crayon. The darker colors melt slightly faster than lighter ones when heated in a microwave.
While the results of this experiment were anecdotal and therefore cannot be used to determine which brand of crayon melts the fastest in a microwave, we would say that the melting point of crayons is around 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The solid form of crayons will remain solid at a temperature below 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens when microwaves hit crayons?
When a crayon melts in the microwave it is actually the wax in the crayon returning to a liquid state.
Crayons, or the wax in them, melt at about 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
The wax is going to be in a liquid state at this temperature.
Think about a candle. A candle is going to melt when the flame comes in contact with the wax.
As the candle cools down, the wax is going to return to room temperature and is going to cool down rapidly.
What are the dangers of microwaving crayons?
Though it is possible to safely melt crayons in the microwave, it is also possible that they are very dangerous.
If crayons are left for too long they can catch fire. The wax does have the potential to catch on fire and burn in the microwave.
They can also spill when you are removing them from the microwave, hot melted wax can easily burn you.
Do you need oil when melting crayons in the microwave?
You do not need oil when you are melting crayons per se.
It is easier to remove them from molds if you use paper liners or if you use a silicone mold that can be moved around and that is flexible.
With oil, it can change the consistency of the wax and it can create a film on the surface of the crayon as it hardens.
If you are using oil, you need to make sure you apply a very thin layer so that it does not interact with the crayon wax and the crayon itself.
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