Any other coffee lovers out there? I not only love the taste of coffee, but the fragrant scent, too; so I thought it would be a fun little project to try and make a DIY Coffee Candle. This candle will fill your home with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and all that’s needed are some used or fresh coffee grinds and a little beeswax.

I’m a huge coffee lover and genuinely get so much deep enjoyment out of smelling freshly brewed coffee. But, I’ve been trying to kick the habit of drinking coffee as the caffeine stimulates my adrenals too much, switching my parasympathetic nervous system from “rest and digest” into “fight-or-flight” mode. So, I’ve really been missing coffee in my life.

Coffee candles are my personal way of indulging in the fragrance of coffee without actually needing to drink it. They allow me to savour that wonderful coffee smell all day long, and are super easy to make. If you’re keen on candle making and share my love for coffee, then this DIY candle project is definitely for you!

Coffee candles are simply candles made with coffee grinds, and take on the scent of coffee bringing a wonderful fragrance to the home when lit.

Before we get started in learning how to make this DIY coffee candle in a mug, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

DIY Coffee Candle in a Mug

For this DIY coffee candle, you will need a coffee mug, beeswax (you can also use soy wax, but ensure you source the wax carefully), and some ground coffee. You can use either used or fresh coffee grinds, but fresh grounds will give off a slightly stronger aroma.

For a stronger scent, you can add a few drops of coffee essential oil to the wax mix. For essential oil candles, use 100 drops of essential oil for every one cup of wax to achieve a noticeable scent.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup beeswax, either in pellets or shredded
• Cotton braided wick #4, cut into pieces
• 1 tbsp natural, coarse-ground coffee (not instant coffee)
• 100 drops coffee essential oil (optional)
• 1 bamboo skewer or pencil
• A mug for your candle

To make:

1. Pour the beeswax into a metal pitcher or glass jar and place the container in a large pot of water, filled just enough to cover the outside of the container without spilling over. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Turn the heat down to medium heat and stir the wax occasionally until completely melted. Make sure no water spills into the container. Please note the amount of wax will vary depending on the size of the mug you use.
3. Once melted, remove the wax from heat and add the coffee grounds to the mug.
4. Pour a small amount of the wax mix into the bottom of the mug. Return the container to the hot water to keep the wax melted. Place a wick into the wax, keeping it to the centre of the mug. You can use a skewer to hold the wick securely in place while the wax sets; it will take around 5-10 minutes.
5. Pour the remaining melted wax into the mug over the top of the coffee granules, and leave about an inch of room at the top.
6. Centre the top of the wick with a bamboo skewer or pencil by wrapping the end of the wick around the skewer until taut, then lay it horizontally over the mug. This will keep the wick in the centre while the wax hardens. It may take a few hours for the wax to completely set. I usually leave mine overnight.
7. Allow it to cool completely before trimming the wick. Once the wax has completely hardened, trim the wick to about half an inch, then it’s ready to light. Do not trim it any shorter than this because it’ll make a smaller flame, which may cause the candle to tunnel.
8. When it comes to cleaning up, don’t wash the wax down the drain as it will clog the pipes. Instead, use boiling water and wipe any equipment and utensils coated in beeswax out with paper towels. Please note that beeswax isn’t easy to clean off of utensils and dishes, so I recommend using the least amount of equipment possible when making this candle.

Please ensure that these coffee candles are never left unattended when lit. Coffee grounds are flammable, as is beeswax, and care should be taken when burning these candles. Avoid placing the lit candle underneath or near curtains or drapes, or anything that may catch fire.

As always, none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and is not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any condition. This is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.

Have you made homemade candles before? How did it go? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

Vanessa