Wax Melt Burner Guide For Beginners

Wax Melt Burner Guide For Beginners

What could be more comforting than entering a room filled with your favourite scent? Wax melt burners offer a beautiful, flameless way to infuse your space with fragrance. 

Wax melt burners offer a beautiful, flameless* way to fill your home with fragrance. The burners come in a wide range of designs that are suitable for any home decor.

Whether you’re new to wax melts or looking to upgrade your current wax melt warmer setup, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is a Wax Melt Burner?

A modern wax melt burner, also called a wax warmer, is a vessel that uses heat to warm scented wax melts. When warmed, the melts release their fragrance into the surrounding air.

The burners are different from candles. Wax melt burners work more efficiently than candles and are more eco-friendly. Many commercially produced candles are made with paraffin wax, which can release harmful toxins into the air when burned. They may also come in containers that are not reusable and need to be thrown away into overly full landfills. That’s where the wax melt burner shines. They’re reusable and come in many styles to fit any decor. 

Types of Wax Melt Burners

There are two main types of wax melt burners:

✅ Tea light wax melt burner

✅ Electric wax melt burner

Both types have their own features, advantages, and things to consider.

Electric Wax Melt Burner

Electric wax melt burners are a modern, stylish option that plugs into the wall. They come in a variety of designs, shapes, wax melt dish sizes and so much more!

How It Works / Pros & Cons

Electric wax melt burners use a low-wattage light bulb, a heating element, or a hot plate to melt the wax. They're also easy to use! All you do is plug the burner in, turn it on, and enjoy the fragrance of your wax melts.

✅ Pros:

> Safer than an open flame

> No need to replace tea lights

> Often feature modern designs that complement contemporary interiors

> Modern wax melt warmers offer more control settings

❌ Cons:

> An electric wax burner needs to be near a power socket

> Slightly higher upfront cost

> Replacement bulb

There is no wrong answer here! Always remember that!

Need a wax melt top up?

Best For: Convenience / Instant Scent

If you want a hassle-free, stylish way to scent your home, the electric wax melt burner is ideal.

Overall Safety Tips

✅ Always unplug when not in use

✅ Keep away from water sources (to avoid electric shock)

✅ Use only in well-ventilated rooms

✅ Follow the manufacturer’s instructions

✅ Place on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface out of the reach of children, pets and away from flammable objects.

Wax Melt Burners

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Yankee Candle
Yankee Candle Wax Melt Burner Gift Set
£14.99

Tea Light Wax Melt Burner

Do you love the warm, flickering flow of a real flame? If so, you may prefer a tea lighter burner. These burners use a small candle, called a tea light, to heat the wax melts. These burners can also be used to heat scented oil gently.

Each burner has a dish on top that holds your wax melts. Underneath the dish, you’ll find an opening where you place the tea light candle. The candle heats the dish to warm the wax melts.

How it Works / Pros & Cons

All you do is place wax melts in the burner dish and then light a tea candle under the burner. As the candle burns, its flame warms the wax in the burner, allowing your favourite fragrance to fill the room.

✅ Pros:

> Creates a cosy, traditional ambience

> It doesn’t require electricity

> Often more affordable

❌ Cons:

> Requires monitoring every 30 minutes*

> Tea lights need to be replaced regularly

Need a top up of wax melts?

Best For: Cosy, Traditional Vibes

Tea light burners are best for creating a warm, cosy, traditional vibe. They’re perfect for anyone who enjoys candles and fragrance.

Safety Tips

✅ Place on a heat-resistant surface

✅ Keep out of the reach of children and pets

✅ Never leave unattended/ set a timer for 1-2 hours to extinguish

✅ Keep away from flammable materials

✅ Use high-quality, unscented tea lights (so their fragrance doesn’t compete with the wax melts’ scent)

How to Use a Traditional Wax Melt Burner (Step-by-Step)

Setting Up Your Burner

1) Place the wax melt burner on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafts, children, pets and flammable objects.

2) Some wax melts don’t come pre-cut into squares, so be sure to cut the right amount to avoid overflowing your wax melt burner!

3) Insert a tea light into the base.

4) Safely light your tea light

Choosing the Right Wax Melt Scent / Size

Start with one cube of your favourite wax melt. Don’t overfill the dish-the wax should have space to melt evenly. Pick a scent that suits your mood or the season. For example: Spring (Floral Scent)

Light the tea light and allow the burner a few minutes to warm up. Soon, your room will fill with fragrance. Most wax melts will provide scent for several hours.  

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Once the scent has faded and your tea light has been used, allow the wax to cool and harden. Then, gently pop it out with a spoon or cotton pad. Wipe the dish clean before adding new wax melts.

If you love candles and want to learn more about ways to upcycle and recycle your candle jars, read our latest blog.

Explore L’SAUVE® Wax Melt Burner Gift Set

At L’SAUVE® we offer the Yankee Candle Wax Melt Burner Gift Set. This set comes with three wax melts in the following fragrances: Snow Globe Wonderland, Snowflake Kisses, and Peppermint Pinwheels. It includes a Yankee Candle tea light candle and a ceramic wax melt burner. The packaging is ideal for gift-giving and features a pretty wonderland design reminiscent of a snow globe. But you can also buy this lovely wax melt burner gift set for yourself and enjoy your favourite wax melt scents.

Unsure Where to Start Your Wax Melt Journey?

Take our free fragrance quiz to discover the perfect scent for your preferences. Whether you love fresh florals, earthy, woody fragrances or more indulgent scents, we’ll help you find your fragrance match!

Buy Wax Warmer Gift Set

Conclusion – Which Wax Melt Burner is Right for You?

Choosing between an electric or tea light wax melt burner can be challenging. It all depends on your lifestyle, home and budget.

Match Your Lifestyle & Space


> Busy schedule: going electric may be the best option. With an electric wax melt burner, you’ll have ease of use and won’t have to worry about an open flame.


> Prefer tradition and ambience: if you prefer tradition and more ambience, opt for a tea light burner, with its mix of lovely fragrance and candle ambience.

Always remember safety here with both options!

> Budget Considerations

Electric burners may cost more upfront; however, you save by not having to buy tea lights regularly. Tea light burners are affordable and an excellent choice for occasional use.

Consider how you’d like to use your burner-daily for a quick refresh or occasionally to set the mood when entertaining or relaxing at home. No matter what you choose, wax melt burners are a lovely way to personalise your home with scent. With the right wax melt burner, you can create a space that feels uniquely your own, filled with beautiful fragrances and comforting vibes.

Happy melting!

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