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We purchased our PRIMO Melter and EZ system from Melting & Filling Equipment for our ointment and...
Rowena, Herbs From Wales, UNITED KINGDOMRead more - ★★★★★
We love the PRIMO 1000 & PRIMO 2000 we ordered. They are definitely speeding up our wax melt...
Tyson K., Candle Warmers Etc.Read more - ★★★★★
I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you- you are truly a pleasure to do business with....
Shannon D., Pure Light Candle CompanyRead more - ★★★★★
We were so pleased with our melting tank that we ordered another melter the same exact day. It...
Jim, J.C. Danczak, Inc., Westfield, MassachusettsRead more I appreciate your kind help regarding the pieces that I just purchased.
Luis O., Velas MaryRead moreThe new units...they are functioning excellent!
Jon S., Holland Group, LLCRead moreWe LOVE our wax melters!
Rob K., Dr K Soap CompanyRead moreThey [PRIMO Melters] are great Melters!
Howard G., Our Own Candle CompanyRead moreThanks John and team for this equipment, it looks great!
Ben, Hoot Ventures Pty Ltd; Milkman Grooming CompanyRead moreAwesome! [how the melter is working for our business]
Matt H., Jill & Ally; Simple Suit Company; Jill Zarin HomeRead moreWe have 10 PRIMO Melters and all our units are functioning EXCELLENTLY!
Jon S., Holland Group LLCRead moreHello John! I'm loving my melter.
Latay W., Posh Candle CompanyRead more
Best Melter for Lip Balm & Cosmetics
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Machines in This Guide
Help me chooseCompare modelsFind my machineBuild your system
AutoShot System: Automated Heated Wax Filling Machine
Usually ships within 3 to 5 daysfrom $8,495Buy Now
EZ-1: Semi-Automatic Heated Wax Dispensing Machine
Usually ships within 3 to 5 daysfrom $3,450Buy Now
QUATTRO 4-Head Automated Heated Wax Filling System
Usually ships within 7 to 21 daysfrom $29,995Buy Now
Lip balm melters, cosmetic melters and heated filling, from your first small batch to a production line
WaxMelters is the leading USA manufacturer of lip balm and cosmetics production equipment since 1999. Our team of 10 designs, builds, tests and supports every melter and heated filler at our factory in Ronkonkoma, New York, and ships worldwide. WaxMelters guarantees the best performance and the highest-quality construction.
- USA manufacturer since 1999
- Waterless PRIMO heating
- Digital material-temperature control
- Small batch sizes from 25 lb / 3.5 gal
- Heated fills from 1/8 oz
Compare small batch meltersGet a free formula and sizing review
Short answer: The best melter for lip balm and cosmetics is a small, waterless, digitally controlled stainless melter that holds your formula at a steady temperature without hot spots, and feeds a heated filler so product stays fluid all the way to the tube, pot or tin. WaxMelters builds it in Ronkonkoma, NY: the PRIMO 25 (25 lb / 3.5 gal, 300 W, $1,395) to melt wax and butter phases, the PRIMO 3 Thermal Conditioning (3.5 gal, $1,645) to hold finished formulas, and heated fillers from the hand-guided EZ-1 ($3,450) to the AutoShot System ($8,495, 1/8 to 20 oz fills). All on standard 110-120 V. The original since 1999, imitated but never matched.
What to Look For in a Lip Balm Melter or Cosmetic Melter
Lip balm, salve and cosmetic makers buy a melter to protect the formula, the fill weight and the hours spent pouring. These are the criteria that separate a real lip balm melting tank from a kitchen workaround, and how WaxMelters meets each one.
| What to check | Why it matters for lip balm and cosmetics | WaxMelters |
|---|---|---|
| Small batch sizes | Lip balm runs are small. A melter that is too big wastes product and heat; one too small means refills mid-run. | Waterless models from 25 lb / 3.5 gal: PRIMO 25 (listed for lab, R&D, samples and very small batches), PRIMO 50 (small batch production and specialty runs) and PRIMO 75 (growing small batch production). |
| Heating method | Beeswax, butters and oils discolor or lose quality when they sit against a hot spot. | Waterless PRIMO heating heats evenly throughout the vessel instead of relying on a high-wattage localized heat source, which helps reduce hot spots and scorching risk. No water bath to boil dry, refill or contaminate the batch. |
| Temperature accuracy | Lip balm and salve texture, set and fragrance or flavor retention depend on holding the same temperature every batch. | Digital material-temperature control holds a repeatable setpoint for melting and heated holding. Up to 212°F / 100°C standard; X-Treme to 400°F / 204°C (+$250 on the PRIMO 25). |
| Long holds for finished formulas | Creams, lotions and emulsions must stay at a stable temperature and viscosity until they are filled. | PRIMO Thermal Conditioning is built for controlled heating and extended heated holding, from the PRIMO 3 (3.5 gal, $1,645). |
| Heated path to the container | Product that cools in a cold valve, hose or pitcher clogs, drips and changes fill weight. | Stainless lid, 1 in. ball valve and heated valve for clog-free dispensing. The EZ-1, AutoValve and AutoShot keep the valve, pump, hose and head heated to the container. |
| Fill size | A lip balm tube takes a fraction of an ounce. A jar of salve takes 2 oz or more. | AutoValve 3000 and AutoShot System are listed for 1/8 to 20 oz pours (tubes, small tins). The EZ-1 is recommended for about 2 to 20 oz pots, jars and tins. |
| Cleaning and changeover | Small brands change flavor, color and formula often. | Round stainless interior with a #4 finish and no corners: wipe it out like a high-end cooking pot. On the heated fillers, nothing comes apart; run it empty, preheat, run the new batch and discard the first few ounces. |
| Sanitary and cosmetic-grade options | Personal care buyers and retailers ask how the product contact surfaces are built. | Stainless product contact. Options listed on the product pages: Smooth Weld + Food Grade Bottom Weld Finish (+$139), Washdown-Ready configuration (+$500), and a complete food-grade stainless filler, ball valve and fittings (+$1,000 on EZ-1 and AutoShot, +$250 on AutoValve). |
| Power you already have | A small studio or kitchen should not need rewiring. | All models in the table below are 110-120 V standard. The PRIMO 25 and PRIMO 3 Thermal Conditioning draw 300 W. 220-240 V (+$150), 480 V and 600 V are listed options. |
Ways to Melt Lip Balm and Cosmetic Bases, Compared
| Method | Batch size | Temperature control | Upkeep and risk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stovetop double boiler or water bath | One pot at a time | Burner dial and a hand thermometer | Water to refill; steam and water can get into the batch | First recipes and testing |
| Microwave or small countertop pot | A few ounces to a few pounds | Varies by unit | Frequent reheating and refills during a pour | Light-duty and gifting |
| High-wattage direct-heated pot | Small to medium | Fast but concentrated heat | Localized hot surfaces raise scorching and degradation risk | Materials that tolerate hot spots |
| Standard PRIMO waterless melter | 25 lb to 60,000 lb | Digital material-temperature control | No water; permanent heaters; round, corner-free interior | Melting waxes, butters and balm, salve and stick bases |
| PRIMO Thermal Conditioning | 3.5 gal and up | Digital material-temperature control for extended holding | No water; agitator option from the PRIMO 10 | Finished formulas, creams, lotions and emulsions held before filling |
PRIMO data from waxmelters.com product and category pages, October 2026. Kitchen and direct-heat methods are described generally; the hot-spot comparison is from the PRIMO product pages.
Standard PRIMO, Thermal Conditioning or Rapid-Cycle?
Match the tank to the material, not to the industry label. Many cosmetic makers run a Standard PRIMO for the wax and butter phase and a Thermal Conditioning tank for finished formulas.
Standard PRIMO: Melt
Best for beeswax, candelilla, shea and other waxes and butters, and for balm, salve and stick bases that mainly need efficient melting and production holding. From the PRIMO 25 ($1,395). How PRIMO waterless heating works.
Thermal Conditioning: Hold
The recommended starting point for creams, lotions, emulsions and finished formulas that need stable temperature and viscosity before filling, with extended heated holding. From the PRIMO 3 ($1,645). All Thermal Conditioning tanks.
Rapid-Cycle: Reload Fast
For compatible back-to-back batches where recovery time between loads limits output. From the PRIMO 25 Rapid-Cycle ($1,645) and PRIMO 50 Rapid-Cycle (1,550 W, $2,000). Compare PRIMO families.
Small Batch Lip Balm Melting Tanks: Sizes, Power and Price
Every model below runs on standard 110-120 V and is built from stainless steel with waterless heating and digital material-temperature control. The tube estimate assumes a standard 0.15 oz lip balm tube and treats the listed wax capacity as your batch weight; your formula density and fill weight will change it.
| Model | Family | Capacity (wax reference / vessel) | Inner dimensions | Heating power | Est. 0.15 oz tubes per full batch | Agitator option | Price | Ships (product page) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIMO 25 | Standard PRIMO | 25 lb (11 kg) / 3.5 gal (13 L) | 10" dia x 10" deep | 300 W | about 2,650 | Not listed | $1,395 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 50 | Standard PRIMO | 56 lb (25 kg) / 7 gal (26 L) | 15" dia x 10" deep | 800 W | about 5,950 | +$1,095 | $1,675 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 75 | Standard PRIMO | 77 lb (35 kg) / 11 gal (41 L) | 15" dia x 15" deep | 800 W | about 8,200 | +$1,095 | $1,875 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 100 | Standard PRIMO | 105 lb (47 kg) / 15 gal (57 L) | 15" dia x 20" deep | 800 W | about 11,200 | +$1,095 | $2,050 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 150 | Standard PRIMO | 169 lb (76 kg) / 26 gal (98 L) | 18" dia x 24" deep | 800 W | about 18,050 | +$1,145 | $2,295 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 3 Thermal Conditioning | Thermal Conditioning | 25 lb (11 kg) / 3.5 gal (13 L) | 10" dia x 10" deep | 300 W | about 2,650 | Not listed | $1,645 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 10 Thermal Conditioning | Thermal Conditioning | 77 lb (35 kg) / 11 gal (41 L) | 15" dia x 15" deep | 1,480 W | about 8,200 | +$1,095 | $2,300 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 15 Thermal Conditioning | Thermal Conditioning | 105 lb (47 kg) / 15 gal (57 L) | 15" dia x 20" deep | 1,450 W | about 11,200 | +$1,095 | $2,575 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 25 Thermal Conditioning | Thermal Conditioning | 169 lb (76 kg) / 26 gal (98 L) | 18" dia x 24" deep | 1,580 W | about 18,050 | +$1,145 | $2,900 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 25 Rapid-Cycle | Rapid-Cycle | 25 lb (11 kg) / 3.5 gal (13 L) | 10" dia x 10" deep | 300 W | about 2,650 | Not listed | $1,645 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 50 Rapid-Cycle | Rapid-Cycle | 56 lb (25 kg) / 7 gal (26 L) | 15" dia x 10" deep | 1,550 W | about 5,950 | +$1,095 | $2,000 | 3 to 5 days |
| PRIMO 14 Heated Holding & Dispensing Tank | Heated holding | 14 gal (53 L) | 14" dia x 23" high | 800 W (family configuration) | n/a | Not listed | $1,995 | 3 to 5 days |
Capacity, dimensions, wattage, agitator option, price and ship time from each product page, October 2026. Thermal Conditioning capacities are the listed approximate wax reference for each vessel. All models: Up to 212°F / 100°C standard; X-Treme is a listed option on many models. Larger sizes: Standard PRIMO melters to 60,000 lb, Thermal Conditioning tanks and heated holding and dispensing tanks. Power draw: wax melter electricity guide.
Heated Filling for Lip Balm Tubes, Pots and Tins
A melter is only half of a lip balm line. If the product cools between the tank and the container, it clogs, drips and changes fill weight. WaxMelters heated fillers connect to a compatible tank through a standard 1 in. valve connection and keep the path heated to the container. For a full filler comparison, read the best lip balm and cosmetic filling machine guide.
| System | What it does | Containers and fill range | Filler power | Price | Ships (product page) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZ-1 | Operator-controlled heated dispensing with a handheld head | Pots, jars and tins, about 2 to 20 oz; up to about 1 GPM | 450 W, 120 V | $3,450 | 3 to 5 days |
| AutoValve | Automated gravity filling through a heated valve, no pump or hose; tank sits above the fill point | 1/8 to 20 oz (3000), 4 to 45 oz (4500, +$795), 20 to 128 oz (9000, +$1,295) | 100 W, 120 V | $5,495 | 3 to 5 days |
| AutoShot | Automated single-head filling with heated pump, hose and head; single shots or repeating cycles | 1/8 to 20 oz (3000), 4 to 45 oz (4500, +$1,000), 20 to 128 oz (9000, +$2,000) | 450 W, 120 V | $8,495 | 3 to 5 days |
| Pour X-Press 1000 | PRIMO melter plus EZ-1 on one mobile stainless cart | As EZ-1; melter size selectable | See product page | $6,295 with PRIMO 150 ($5,820 with PRIMO 50) | 3 days |
| QUATTRO | Automated filling of 1 to 4 containers per cycle | 1/8 to 20, 4 to 45 or 20 to 128 oz | 1,100 W, 120 V | $29,995 | Usually ships within 7 to 21 days |
| OCTO | Automated filling of 1 to 8 containers per cycle | 1/8 to 20, 4 to 45 or 20 to 128 oz | 1,500 W, 120 V | $52,995 | Usually ships within 7 to 21 days |
Fill ranges, power, prices and ship times from each product page, October 2026. Fillers run up to 212°F / 100°C standard; an X-Treme range to 300°F / 149°C is listed (+$2,000 on EZ-1 and AutoShot, +$500 on AutoValve). EZ-1 and AutoShot offer a high-viscosity pump (+$1,000) and variable-speed pump (+$695) for thicker balms and salves. Pour X-Press 1000 PRIMO 50 price is the $6,295 list price less the listed $475 PRIMO 50 option.
EZ-1: Hand-Guided Pots and Tins
The operator controls every start and stop. Ideal for mixed container sizes, short runs, prototypes and frequent flavor or color changes. $3,450.
AutoValve: Simplest Automation
Programmable single shots or repeating cycles by gravity, with no pump or hose. The 3000 range is listed for 1/8 to 20 oz. $5,495.
AutoShot: Repeatable Shots Anywhere
Heated pump, hose and head on a 360 degree swivel boom, so the melter can sit anywhere. The 3000 range is listed for 1/8 to 20 oz. $8,495.
The Lip Balm and Cosmetics Workflow: Melt, Heated Fill, Tray
- Melt the base. Load waxes, butters and oils into a Standard PRIMO and set the digital controller to your formula's process temperature. Waterless heating brings the batch up evenly with no water bath.
- Blend and hold. Stir in actives, flavor, fragrance or color and hold at temperature. Add the agitator option (PRIMO 50 and up, from $1,095), or move finished creams and emulsions to a PRIMO Thermal Conditioning tank for stable, extended holding.
- Heated fill. Pour from the heated valve for small runs, or connect a heated filler: AutoValve 3000 or AutoShot System for measured shots into tubes and small tins from 1/8 oz, EZ-1 for hand-guided pots, jars and tins of about 2 to 20 oz.
- Tray and set. Stage tubes in your filling tray or pots and tins on a sheet tray, fill, then let them set before capping and labeling. Trays, tubes, caps and labels are sourced separately; we focus on melting, heated holding and filling.
- Change over. Close the ball valve and run the filler empty. For the next batch, preheat, open the valve, run the new product through and discard the first few ounces. The pump, hose and filling head do not come apart. Wipe the round tank like a stainless cooking pot.
Temperature Accuracy for Lip Balm, Salve and Cosmetic Formulas
Lip balm and salve formulas are judged by texture, set and payoff, and all three depend on temperature. PRIMO digital material-temperature control is designed to hold a repeatable setpoint for melting and heated holding, instead of relying on uncontrolled high-intensity heat input. The waterless system heats evenly throughout the vessel to help reduce hot spots, and the double-walled, fully insulated vessel keeps heat in the product and the outside cooler. Downstream, the heated valve, pump, hose and dispensing head help keep product at the selected process temperature all the way to the container.
Send us your material, starting and target temperatures, working volume, hold time, batch frequency, downstream process and available electrical service, and we will recommend a configuration. Request an application review or use the melter and tank price estimator.
Lip Balm and Cosmetics Production Equipment by Business Stage
| Stage | Typical situation | Recommended WaxMelters equipment | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Formulation, samples and first sales | Test batches, market and online orders, pouring from the heated valve | PRIMO 25 (25 lb, 300 W) or PRIMO 3 Thermal Conditioning (3.5 gal, 300 W) | $1,395 / $1,645 |
| 2. Small batch brand | Regular batches of balms, salves and solid lotion bars into pots and tins | PRIMO 50 + EZ-1, or the Pour X-Press 1000 cart with the PRIMO 50 option | $5,125 / $5,820 |
| 3. Lip balm tubes at volume | Repeatable small shots into tubes and small tins | PRIMO 50 or PRIMO 75 + AutoValve 3000 or AutoShot System | $7,170 to $10,370 |
| 4. Creams, lotions and emulsions too | Finished formulas that must hold temperature and viscosity, with mixing | PRIMO 10 Thermal Conditioning or PRIMO 25 Thermal Conditioning with the hinged-lid agitator | $3,395 / $4,045 |
| 5. Wholesale and private label | Multi-position filling fed by a larger heated supply | PRIMO 150 or PRIMO 25 TC feeding QUATTRO (4 heads) or OCTO (8 heads) | $32,270 to $55,895 |
| 6. Special vessels | Unusual size, shape, temperature, washdown or pressure requirements | Custom designed melter or heating tank | Quoted to your dimensions |
Prices are list prices from each product page, or sums of them, October 2026, before options, freight and tax. Stage 3 range: PRIMO 50 + AutoValve ($7,170) to PRIMO 75 + AutoShot ($10,370). Stage 5 range: PRIMO 150 + QUATTRO ($32,270) to PRIMO 25 TC + OCTO ($55,895). Need financing? See financing and leasing options.
Why PRIMO: The Original Since 1999, Imitated but Never Matched
Built for Delicate Materials
Waterless heating with even heat distribution and digital material-temperature control, so waxes, butters and finished formulas are melted and held without a water bath or a concentrated hot spot.
Fast and Efficient
PRIMO melts 2 to 3X faster using half the electricity. Permanent heaters mean no replacement heaters or jacket water to buy or maintain.
Quality Construction
US stainless steel with a #4 finish and a round, corner-free interior that cleans easily. Made in the USA in Ronkonkoma, NY, and function-tested before it ships.
Copies of the waterless melter have followed since 1999. None match the PRIMO combination of even heating, digital control, published specifications and prices, matched heated fillers and USA build. Learn more about why WaxMelters, Made in USA, our energy efficient melting tanks and customer reviews.
Related: cosmetics, personal care and fragrance equipment, hair wax and pomade melting and filling, soap production equipment, cosmetic and botanical ingredient heating, dispensing, filling and dosing systems and manuals and technical support.
Lip Balm and Cosmetic Melter FAQ
What is the best melter for lip balm?
For most lip balm makers, the best melter is a waterless, digitally controlled stainless melter sized to your batch, with a heated valve or heated filler so the balm stays fluid all the way to the tube or tin. WaxMelters builds the Standard PRIMO for melting waxes and butters, from the PRIMO 25 (25 lb / 3.5 gal, 300 W, $1,395), and PRIMO Thermal Conditioning for finished formulas that must hold a stable temperature, from the PRIMO 3 (3.5 gal, $1,645). Both run on standard 110-120 V and usually ship within 3 to 5 days.
What size lip balm melter do I need for small batches?
Size the melter to your largest single batch, then leave room to grow. As a rough estimate at 0.15 oz per standard tube, the PRIMO 25 holds enough for about 2,650 tubes, the PRIMO 50 about 5,950 and the PRIMO 100 about 11,200. The PRIMO 25 is listed for lab, R&D, samples and very small batches, and the PRIMO 50 for small batch production and specialty runs. A PRIMO can typically start a batch at about one-third of its listed capacity; see the PRIMO sizing guide.
Will a waterless melter scorch beeswax, butters or cosmetic oils?
PRIMO waterless heating is designed to heat evenly throughout the vessel instead of concentrating it in a high-wattage hot spot, which helps reduce localized hot surfaces and scorching risk, while digital material-temperature control holds your setpoint. There is no water bath to boil dry or let steam into the batch. Standard range is up to 212°F / 100°C; results always depend on your material, load and settings.
Can WaxMelters equipment fill lip balm tubes, pots and tins?
Yes. The AutoValve 3000 ($5,495) and AutoShot System ($8,495) are listed for 1/8 to 20 oz pours, which covers lip balm tubes and small tins. The hand-guided EZ-1 ($3,450) is recommended for about 2 to 20 oz pots, jars and tins. QUATTRO and OCTO fill 4 or 8 containers per cycle. Send us your exact fill volume and container so we can confirm the configuration. See the lip balm filling machine guide.
Should I use a Standard PRIMO or a Thermal Conditioning tank for cosmetics?
Use a Standard PRIMO when the main job is melting waxes, butters and balm, salve or stick bases. Use PRIMO Thermal Conditioning when a finished or sensitive formula, such as a cream, lotion or emulsion, must hold a stable temperature and viscosity for an extended time before filling. The PRIMO 10 Thermal Conditioning (11 gal, $2,300) takes a hinged-lid agitator for $1,095. Many makers run one of each.
How fast does a lip balm melter ship, and what is the warranty?
Usually ships within 7 days. The PRIMO 25 to PRIMO 150, PRIMO 3 to PRIMO 25 Thermal Conditioning, EZ-1, AutoValve and AutoShot product pages each list 3 to 5 days; QUATTRO and OCTO usually ship within 7 to 21 days by freight. Coverage is the Limited Warranty (1 year on electrical, 3 years on metal parts), with optional Factory Protection Plans to 2, 3 or 4 years total.
WaxMelters guarantees the best performance and the highest-quality construction. The original since 1999, imitated but never matched. Best performance, energy efficient. Waterless PRIMO heating melts 2 to 3X faster using half the electricity, with safe, even heat from permanent heaters and digital material-temperature control in insulated stainless-steel vessels. Each PRIMO is inspected and function-tested before it ships.
Usually ships within 7 days. Where a product page lists its own lead time, as in the tables above, that time applies. Standard coverage includes the Limited Warranty (1 year on electrical, 3 years on metal parts), with optional Factory Protection Plans. See warranty terms. NDAs are available for formula reviews (confidentiality and NDA policy).
WaxMelters (Melting and Filling Equipment Inc.), 2221 5th Ave, Ste 3, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Get a quote online.
Upgrades and options (such as X-Treme high temperature, longer hoses and other add-ons) usually ship within 7 days.