This Metal Menorah Cleaning Hack Is a Hanukkah Life-Saver

The Festival of Lights began this past Sunday, so it’s time to decorate the house, fry up the latkes, and finish wrapping any last-minute gifts. The holiday will last all this week until Dec. 26, with a new candle lit each evening.

But over the course of eight nights, it can become more and more difficult to fit the candles into the menorah as wax accumulates in the holders. Fortunately, @jewishlyliz developed a menorah cleaning hack that can help ease the hassle and frustration of trying to get candles to fit just right during the holiday.

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How to Clean a Menorah

Before we begin, please note that this hack only works for metal menorahs. Do not try this hack with plastic or ceramic varieties.

To get started, preheat your oven to 225°F. Then line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and fold up the sides to create a shallow dish. Lay the menorah down on the foil and place the baking sheet on the center rack in the oven.

“Bake” the menorah for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the residual wax has melted onto the foil. Watch it closely!

Take the baking sheet and menorah out of the oven. Hold the hot menorah with oven mitts and use paper towels to wipe off any excess wax that may still be stuck to it. Carefully clean out the stubborn wick pieces at the bottom of the candle holders using a Q-tip.

Let the menorah cool, toss out the paper towels and foil and voilà: a shiny, clean menorah for the next night’s lighting!

Happy Hanukkah!

Feel free to repeat this hack throughout the holiday whenever your menorah needs a good clean. And since the oven’s already preheated, why not try making a classic Hanukkah dessert while you wait for sundown? If sweets aren’t your thing, this brisket makes for an exceptional centerpiece as well.

Regardless of your tastes and traditions, chag sameach from all of us at Taste of Home!