How to Remove Wax from Your Hanukkiyah

Monday December 21, 2009

Now that Hanukkah is behind us I've received a number of emails asking: how do we get all this wax off our hanukkiyahs?! It's a valid question. Who wants to store away a waxy hanukkiyah or, even worse, unveil a wax-encrusted hanukkiyah when the holiday rolls around next year?

I have always used hot water to quickly and painlessly remove wax from my hanukkiyah, though I'm sure there are other methods out there. Here is how I do it:

1. Put your hanukkiyah in a large baking dish deep enough for the hanukkiyah to be submerged in water.

2. Bring a pot of water to boil. Remove from your stove and allow the water to cool for a few minutes, until it's really hot, but not at boiling temperature.

3. Pour the water over your hanukkiyah. Let it sit for a minute. Use paper towels to wipe off the melting wax. You can use a butter knife to scrape away any stubborn pieces of wax, but cover the knife with a piece of soft cloth first to avoid scratching the hanukkiyah.

If you have a hanukkiyah that isn't washable, I've heard that sticking it in the freezer will cause any remaining wax to become brittle and easy to peel off.

Do you have another method? Please share!