I used a single "hot plate" this year. Plugged it into the wall and it took about an hour to completely melt my near 20 pounds of wax. But once it got hot - it held the temp fine and the wax would swirl with the high temp. Plenty hot to wax all my traps and extremely safe as there is no open flame. I believe it is best to make sure traps are completely dry and also helpful to wax when air temp is warmer and the steel will not "cool" off the wax as much. Personally I think summer is the best time to wax - or pick the warmest day you can.

colelman stove or turkey frier burner is what I have always used for waxing traps. I really like the turkey frier it is easy to adjust the heat and at a good working height.

A second vote here for the hot plate idea,, much safer since there is no open flame. I have aa small electric grill that works the same as a hot plate,, be careful