Jessie Taylor
Candle-making is a fun, rewarding, and increasingly popular hobby. With a few specialized items, some planning, and a little time, you can craft beautiful, fragrant candles. The process is both artistic and therapeutic. You can make candles with as little as a kitchen counter, $20, and a good attitude. Basic supplies include a stovetop or something similar to melt the wax, a pot and bowl for a double boiler, a spoon, a thermometer, popsicle sticks or pencils, and a fire extinguisher. You'll also need wax, wicks, a container, and any desired fragrances or decorations.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Some of the most popular wax options for candle-making include paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax. Paraffin wax is the most economical option and is widely available, making it a great choice for beginners. However, it is the least natural option. Soy wax is usually more affordable than beeswax and is a natural option, but it is often a blend, so be sure to check the label. Beeswax is natural and has a subtle sweet fragrance, but it can be more expensive. Coconut wax is another natural option that is often blended with soy wax.
The melting point of the wax is an important consideration, as it will affect the scent throw of your candle. Generally, the hotter the melting point of the wax, the smaller the scent throw will be. Therefore, if you are aiming for a strong-scented candle, you should choose a wax with a lower melting point. Additionally, the ratio of wax to fragrance oil is crucial for achieving a clean-burning candle with a strong scent. Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle, with the fragrance oil making up the remaining 7%.
When melting your wax, it is important to use a double boiler to heat the wax evenly and control the temperature. You can create a simple double boiler by placing a pot of water on your stove and putting a metal container with wax inside the water. This method helps to limit potential damage to the wax and gives you greater control over the heat. Always stay in the room while melting wax and never leave it unattended.
By considering factors such as cost, naturalness, melting point, and scent throw, you can choose the right wax for your candle-making project and create beautiful, fragrant candles.
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Picking a heat-proof container
When building a candle-making counter, it is important to select a heat-proof container to hold the wax as it melts. This is a crucial part of the process, as it ensures safety and functionality. Here are some factors to consider when picking a heat-proof container:
Type of Container
You can repurpose old jars, teacups, or tins as containers for your candles. Glass jars, in particular, are a popular choice, but it is important to ensure they are made of tempered glass that can withstand heat. Additionally, you can explore second-hand stores or your recycling bin for suitable containers.
Size of Container
The size of the container will depend on the desired size of your candle. It is important to select a container that can accommodate the volume of wax you intend to melt. A larger container will result in a larger candle, and vice versa.
Heat Resistance
Ensure that the container you choose is heat-resistant. This is crucial, as you will be melting wax at high temperatures, and a non-heat-resistant container could pose a safety hazard. Look for containers specifically labelled as heat-proof or heat-resistant.
Stability and Durability
Select a container with a stable base to prevent accidental spills. Additionally, ensure that the container is durable and can withstand the weight of the wax and any potential knocks or bumps during the candle-making process.
Aesthetics
While functionality is a priority, you may also want to consider the visual appeal of the container, especially if you intend to gift your homemade candles. Choose a container with a shape and design that aligns with your style or the intended recipient's taste.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select a heat-proof container that is safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing for your candle-making counter.
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Selecting a wick
Selecting the right wick is a crucial step in candle-making. Wicks are classified based on their type and size, and choosing the appropriate wick ensures your candle burns efficiently and cleanly.
Firstly, let's talk about wick type. There are many varieties of wicks, each with unique characteristics that make them more compatible with certain wax types than others. The type of wick depends on the wax you're using. Common wick types include CD, ECO, wooden, LX, and HTP. Wicks are typically made from materials such as paper, cotton, zinc, or wood. It's worth noting that wicks used to contain lead, but this practice was banned in 2003.
Now, let's discuss wick size. Wick size is determined by the diameter of the candle you're making. Within each type of wick, you'll find a range of sizes. For example, ECO wicks can range from ECO .75 (small) to ECO 16 (very large). Choosing the right size is important to ensure a proper melt pool and even burning.
When preparing your wick, it's essential to secure it in place while the wax cools. You can use popsicle sticks or pencils to centre and stabilise the wick. Additionally, wick stickers are useful for adhering the wick to the base of your candle container.
Once your candle has hardened, you can trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch before burning it for the first time. Trimming the wick helps prevent high flames and reduces soot buildup. It also extends the candle's burn time. Remember to trim the wick before each burn to remove any carbon buildup from previous burns.
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Melting the wax
To use a double boiler, first, fill a large pot with water and place it on your stove. Bring the water to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Place your wax into a metal container—you'll need about 12 ounces of wax to fill a standard candle jar. Then, place the metal container with the wax inside the pot of simmering water. The warm water will gently melt the wax. You can also use a digital infrared thermometer or a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature of your wax.
Another method for melting wax is to use an oven. This can be a convenient option as it allows you to melt wax for multiple candles with different scents and colours simultaneously. Simply place the wax in oven-safe containers and heat at around 185 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it's important to note that some candle-makers believe that using a double boiler or melting wax on a stovetop results in a better candle.
Safety is a key consideration when melting wax. Always stay in the room while the wax is melting, and never leave it unattended. Additionally, make sure to cover your prep area with newspaper or a brown paper bag to catch any spills.
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Adding scent and colour
Adding Scent
Firstly, you will need to choose your preferred type of wax. Different types of wax have different melting points, and this will affect the scent throw, which is the radius around your candle where the scent will reach as it burns. For example, beeswax has a natural honey scent but doesn't hold additional fragrances as well as soy wax. Soy wax is a good natural option, but paraffin wax, though less natural, holds scent the best.
Next, you will need to choose your fragrance. Essential oils are a great way to add scent to your candles, and you can mix different oils together to create a unique fragrance. You can also add natural scented ingredients such as dried flowers, crushed herbs, cinnamon sticks, or cloves for added scent and decoration.
When adding essential oils to your wax, it is important to ensure that the wax is at the right temperature. Your wax must be fully melted to incorporate the fragrance, so heat the wax to around 185°F (85°C). Then, stir in 10-20 drops of essential oil per 16-20 ounces of wax, and adjust as needed. Different brands of oils can vary in strength, so this step may require some experimentation.
Adding Colour
To add colour to your candles, you will need to use a candle colourant, which can be in the form of liquid dye or dye chips/blocks. It is important to ensure that your chosen colourant is compatible with your fragrance oil. Fragrance oils with a flashpoint between 130°-180°F can be used with any candle colourant. For fragrance oils with a lower flashpoint, liquid dye is recommended as it will leave fewer dye particles once the wax has cooled.
When adding colourant to your wax, the temperature of the wax is crucial. The wax must be fully melted to ensure the colourant is fully incorporated, so heat the wax to around 175°-185°F. For liquid dyes, the wax should be in a liquid state, whereas dye chips/blocks melt smoothly around 160°-180°F. Adding colourant when the wax is too hot or too cold will result in the colour being inconsistent or the colourant not dissolving properly.
Now you know the basics of adding scent and colour to your candles, you can experiment with different combinations to create unique and personalised candles.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a stovetop or something similar to melt wax, a pot and bowl for a double boiler, a spoon, a thermometer, popsicle sticks or pencils, a food-grade scale, wick stickers, wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and a vessel.
Common waxes for candle-making include soy, coconut, paraffin, beeswax, or a hybrid blend. Soy wax is natural but often a blend, so check the label. Paraffin wax is the most economical but the least natural.
A double boiler can be built by placing a pot of water on the stove and putting a metal container into the water. The water is heated, warming the container and melting the wax inside.
