Jessie Taylor
While putting a candle in the fridge may seem like a good idea to cool it down, it is not recommended. This is because it can cause the wax to cool too quickly, leading to issues such as cracking, shrinking, and wet spots. Additionally, putting a lit candle in the fridge is a fire hazard and can cause soot to accumulate in the enclosed space. If you want to cool your candles quickly, it is suggested to let them cool at room temperature and then place them in the fridge for a short period, ensuring they are in a mould.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effect on wax | Cools too fast, causing wax to shrink and creating wet spots or sinkholes |
| Effect on glass | Can cause the glass to crack or shatter |
| Effect on scent | Can weaken the scent throw |
| Effect on moulds | Candles will release from their moulds more easily |
| Recommended duration | 5-10 minutes maximum |
| Alternative methods | Using a water bath, preheating containers, or using baking soda |
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What You'll Learn
Cooling candles in a fridge can cause the wax to shrink and create wet spots
While putting candles in the fridge may seem like a good idea to cool them down quickly, it is not recommended. Cooling candles in a fridge can cause the wax to shrink and create wet spots. This is because the wax cools too fast. The best way to cool candles is at room temperature.
If you are making a pillar or votive candle and need help getting it out of its mould, you can put it in the fridge for a maximum of 5–10 minutes. Metal moulds do well in the fridge for an hour, while plastic or polycarbonate moulds might only need 20 minutes to cool down. However, do not put the candle in the freezer, as this will cause the candle to crack.
To cool candles at room temperature, you can use a water bath. Fill a container that is wider and taller than your candle mould three-quarters full of cool water. The ideal water bath temperature is no cooler than 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). Add a bit of boiling water if necessary to increase the temperature slightly. After pouring your candle, tap it to dispel air bubbles, leave it for two minutes, then insert it into the water bath. Weigh it down with a heavy object to hold the mould steady in the water.
To avoid wet spots, it is important to keep your wick trimmed so that your candle burns properly. It is also important to preheat your containers, as this will help slow down the cooling process and prevent the wax from shrinking and pulling away from the container.
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It can also weaken the scent throw
While putting a candle in the fridge will speed up the cooling process, it is not recommended. One reason for this is that it can weaken the scent throw. This can happen because the fragrance oil does not bind well to the wax when the candle cools too quickly. Each wax has a recommended fragrance oil load, and going beyond this limit can also cause the oil to separate from the wax. This can result in a weak scent throw or even create a potential fire hazard.
To avoid these issues, it is best to let your candle cool down slowly at room temperature. This allows the fragrance oil to bind properly to the wax, resulting in a stronger scent throw. While it may take longer, cooling your candle at room temperature helps to avoid weakening the scent and potentially creates a safer candle.
Additionally, the type and size of wick used can also impact the scent throw. Using a wick that is too small for the container can affect how well the scent is distributed when the candle is burned. Therefore, it is important to select the right type and size of wick for your candle to ensure optimal scent throw.
Another factor that can influence the scent throw is the amount of fragrance added to the wax. While using more fragrance oil might seem like it would create a stronger scent, this is not always the case. Each wax has a recommended fragrance load, and exceeding this amount can cause issues. The fragrance oil may separate from the wax, impacting the scent throw and potentially creating a fire hazard.
Overall, putting a candle in the fridge to cool it down is not recommended due to the potential impact on the scent throw. By cooling the candle slowly at room temperature and paying attention to factors like wick type, wick size, and fragrance load, you can create a candle with a strong and effective scent throw.
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Glass containers may crack or shatter
While putting candles in the fridge will speed up the cooling process, it can cause the glass to crack or even shatter. This is because the wax cools too quickly. The best way to avoid this is to keep your candles at room temperature. If you are making a pillar or votive candle and need help getting it out of the mould, you can put it in the fridge for a maximum of 5-10 minutes.
If you do choose to put your candles in the fridge, make sure they are in a container that is wider and taller than the candle mould. Buckets, small waste paper baskets, and deep cake mixing bowls can all work well. Fill the container about three-quarters full of cool water, ensuring the water is no colder than 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). You can then pour your candle, tap it to dispel air bubbles, and leave it for two minutes before inserting it into the water bath.
Metal moulds do well in the fridge for an hour, while plastic or polycarbonate moulds may only need 20 minutes to cool down. Do not put your candles in the freezer, as this will cause them to crack (unless, of course, you are going for a cracked effect).
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Candles should be cooled at room temperature
Firstly, cooling candles in a fridge can lead to the wax cooling too quickly, which can result in cracking or shattering of the candle. This is especially true if the candle is placed in a freezer, as the extreme cold can cause the wax to crack and create an undesirable appearance.
Secondly, the rapid cooling process can also affect the scent of the candle. The fragrance oil may not bind well at lower temperatures, resulting in a weaker scent throw or, in some cases, separation from the wax, which could be a potential fire hazard.
Additionally, placing a candle in the fridge can cause condensation to form on the surface, known as "sweating." This can lead to oily droplets and marks on the candle, affecting its overall appearance and quality.
By allowing candles to cool at room temperature, these issues can be avoided. It is recommended to let the candle cool down slowly and naturally. This ensures that the wax sets evenly and helps prevent the wax from shrinking and pulling away from its container, which can cause wet spots and an uneven finish.
Overall, while it may take longer, cooling candles at room temperature is the best practice to ensure the integrity and quality of the final product.
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A refrigerator can be used to cool a candle still in its mould
While it is not recommended to put a candle in the refrigerator, it can be done in certain situations. One such situation is when you are making a pillar or votive candle and need help getting it out of the mould. In this case, you can put the candle, still in its mould, in the fridge for a maximum of 5–10 minutes to help it cool down and set. This will make it easier to remove the candle from the mould without damaging it.
It is important to note that putting a candle in the refrigerator can have negative effects. The wax may cool too quickly, causing the glass to crack or shatter and the wax to shrink, creating wet spots or sinkholes. It can even weaken the scent of the candle. To avoid these issues, it is best to let your candle cool down slowly at room temperature.
If you do choose to put your candle in the fridge, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the candle is almost set and no longer liquid before putting it in the fridge. Metal moulds can be put in the fridge for an hour, while plastic or polycarbonate moulds may only need 20 minutes to cool down. Second, do not put the candle in the freezer, as this will cause the candle to crack. Finally, be aware of the potential issues that can arise from putting a candle in the fridge, such as cracking or a weakened scent, and be prepared to address them.
There are alternative methods to cooling candles, such as using a water bath. You can fill a container three-quarters full of cool water, ensuring it is no colder than 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). Then, pour your candle, tap it to dispel air bubbles, and leave it for two minutes before inserting it into the water bath. This will help the candle cool gradually and evenly, reducing the risk of cracking or other issues.
In summary, while it is possible to use a refrigerator to cool a candle still in its mould, it is not generally recommended due to the potential issues it can cause. It is important to follow proper candle-making techniques, such as trimming the wick, preheating containers, and monitoring temperature with a thermometer, to ensure the best results.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can put a candle in the fridge, but only once it has cooled down and is no longer burning.
Putting a candle in the fridge can help to speed up the cooling time and make it easier to remove from its mould. It can also help a candle to burn for longer.
Allow the candle to cool until it is lukewarm. Wrap it in foil or plastic to prevent the wick from absorbing moisture. Place it in the fridge, preferably for no longer than an hour.
If the candle cools down too fast, the wax may crack. It is also important to never put a burning candle in the fridge, as this is a fire hazard.
Yes, you can cool a candle at room temperature. To speed up the process, you can use a water bath by filling a container three-quarters full with water no colder than 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit) and inserting the candle.
