Regarding the query on melting wax in water. Bee aware that water added to wax saponifies, i.e. goes soapy, and cannot be retrieved. The only water that should be used is rain water or distilled water and even then I would not recommend boiling the two together. See my other comment the water boils easier than the wax consequently an explosive mixture as you found. Hence the fire. I have melted wax in a steam wax melter and also in double boilers (one old saucepan in the top of another). This is by far the best method. Barbara Dalby England