Chloe Adams
Candles have been used for centuries, initially by ancient people as a source of artificial light at night. They were also used in church ceremonies, where beeswax candles were preferred for their clean burn and lack of unpleasant smell. Today, candles are often used to create a cosy atmosphere, and many people enjoy making their own at home. This involves melting wax and adding a wick, fragrance, and colour if desired. When making candles, it's important to consider the type of wax and wick to use, as well as the safety concerns that may arise, such as the release of harmful fumes or the risk of containers cracking from thermal shock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle-making supplies | Wax, wick, stovetop, melting pot, kitchen scale, mould, skewer, pencil, stick, dye, essential oils, fragrance oils, adhesive disk, glue gun, double boiler, instant-read thermometer, scissors, wooden spoon/spatula, chopsticks |
| Steps | 1. Measure out wax using wax pellets and a kitchen scale to determine how much scent oil to use. 2. Melt wax in the microwave or on a stovetop in a melting pot. 3. Add dye and essential oils to melted wax. 4. Coat the mould with non-stick spray and fix the wick to the bottom. 5. Place a pencil, skewer, or stick across the mould and tie the wick to it. 6. Pour the melted wax into the mould. 7. Allow the wax to cool in a cold water bath. 8. Trim the wick. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
The first step is to decide on the type of candle you want to make. The two main choices are container or pillar candles. Container candles are poured into jars, tumblers, tins, glass, or other candle-making containers. Pillar candles stand on their own and must hold their shape.
For container candles, you can use softer waxes that adhere well to the container. Popular options include soy wax, coconut wax, and paraffin wax. Soy wax is a natural and renewable option known for its clean burn and longer burn time compared to paraffin. It is also eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable. Coconut wax is another clean-burning alternative that retains fragrance well. Paraffin wax is the most common and least expensive option, known for its excellent scent throw and colour retention. However, it is not the most eco-friendly choice.
For pillar candles, you need a harder wax that can hold its shape. Options include paraffin wax, beeswax, and palm wax. Beeswax is a natural option known for its long burn time and sweet, natural scent. Palm wax creates beautiful crystalline patterns and is perfect for decorative pillar candles.
You can also experiment with blended waxes, which combine the benefits of different wax types. For example, a soy and paraffin blend offers a slow burn and a smooth finish, while a soy and coconut blend reduces frosting and rough tops.
Other factors to consider when choosing your wax include your budget, the strength of the fragrance, and how eco-conscious you want your candle to be. Balancing cost with quality is important, as investing in higher-quality wax can result in better-performing candles.
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Adding colour and scent
Adding Scent:
Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of wax. Soy wax is a good option as it holds fragrance well and is natural. Beeswax is another natural option, but it doesn't hold additional fragrances as well as soy. Paraffin wax should be avoided as, although it holds scent well, it is made from petroleum and can release chemicals and soot.
Next, you need to choose your fragrance. Essential oils or fragrance oils designed for candle-making are good options. Avoid using too much fragrance oil, as this can cause the oil to separate from the wax and create an uneven scent distribution. It can also weaken the scent throw and cause the wick to clog.
When adding your fragrance, ensure the wax is at the right temperature. For soy wax, add your fragrance at around 180-185°F. Stir the oil into the melted wax for several minutes to ensure it is fully incorporated.
Adding Colour:
When adding colour to your candles, it is important to use a candle colourant that is compatible with your fragrance oil. Liquid dye is a good option, as it leaves fewer particles once the wax has cooled.
Your wax must be fully melted to add the colourant. Most waxes will be fully melted at around 175-185°F. Adding the colourant at this temperature will ensure it is fully incorporated into the wax.
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Preparing the mould
Once you've chosen your wax, you need to measure it out. Fill your mould with wax pellets and use a kitchen scale to find the weight so you know how much scent oil to use. If you want to add colour to your candle, you can use dye blocks, cakes, chips, flakes, or liquids. Soy dye is recommended for soy wax candles.
Next, coat the interior of the mould with a mould release spray or non-stick cooking spray. This will make it easier to remove the candle from the mould once it has hardened. Fix the wick to the bottom of the mould according to its instructions. You can use wick putty or strong tape to keep the wax from leaking out. Then, turn the mould over and place a pencil, skewer, or stick across the opening. Pull the wick up through the centre of the mould and tie it to the stick so that it remains taut once the wax is poured.
Finally, melt your wax. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals or use a stovetop or melting pot. If using a melting pot, add enough water to a larger pot so that it covers the melting pot halfway. Once your wax is melted, you can add your dye and essential oils if desired. Pour the melted wax into the prepared mould until it is about 1 1/2 inches below the rim.
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Inserting the wick
Firstly, select an appropriate wick for your candle. Wicks come in various types, including cotton, paper core, wood, and metal-cored wicks. Metal-cored wicks, typically made with zinc or a zinc alloy, are the industry standard. The size, length, and type of wick will depend on the wax type and candle size. For example, a small wick may not burn through the entire candle, impacting the scent throw.
Next, fix the wick to the bottom of your mould or container. If using a mould, you can attach the wick to the bottom of the mould with wick putty or strong tape. For containers, use a wick sticker or hot glue to secure the metal bottom of the wick to the centre of the container's base.
Now, prepare a skewer, pencil, or stick to place across the opening of the mould or container. Pull the wick up through the centre and tie it to the skewer to ensure it remains taut when the wax is poured. For containers, you can use a clothespin or stick to wrap the top of the wick around, keeping it centred.
Once the wax is melted and ready to be poured, ensure the wick is centred and secure. If the wick shifts, quickly adjust it while the wax is still hot and liquid.
Finally, as your candle cools and hardens, you can trim the wick as needed. Modern wicks are designed to curve over as they burn, self-trimming through incineration. However, for pre-19th-century-style candles, you may need to trim the wick regularly with scissors to promote steady burning and prevent smoking.
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Melting and pouring the wax
Next, add the wax to your melting pot. You can melt wax in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it is fully liquified, or use a stovetop or similar heat source. While the wax is melting, add your wick to the container. Use a wick sticker or hot glue to secure the metal base of the wick to the bottom centre of the container. You can use a cotton wick, or one with a paper or wood core. The size, length and type of wick will vary depending on the wax and the size of your candle.
Once the wax is melted, you can add your dye and essential oils. Dye is essential if you want to add colour to your candle, and natural essential oils can be used to create a pleasant scent. You should aim for one ounce of scent oil for every pound of wax. Fragrance oils are also an option, but some of these are flammable, so be sure to use oils intended for candle-making.
Now you are ready to pour the wax into your container or mould. If you are using a mould, fill it to about one and a half inches below the rim. If the wick moves, fix it while the wax is still hot and liquid. Once the wax has been poured, you will need to place the mould into a bucket, pot, sink or bath of cold water to help it cool down more quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a wick, a melting pot, a larger pot, a container, a stove or similar heat source, and a skewer, pencil, or stick. If you want to make a scented candle, you will also need essential oils.
You can use paraffin wax, beeswax, or soy wax. Paraffin wax is the cheapest option and is best for throwing scents, but it releases harmful fumes and is not eco-friendly. Beeswax is natural and has a subtle sweet fragrance, but it can be more expensive and is not vegan-friendly. Soy wax is a healthy, renewable, and biodegradable option.
The amount of wax you need will depend on the size of your container. Fill your container with wax pellets and use a kitchen scale to find the weight so you know how much scent oil to use.
First, fix a length of wick to the bottom of your container using wick putty, strong tape, a wick sticker, or hot glue. Then, use a skewer, pencil, or stick placed across the opening of the container to keep the wick taut as you pour in the wax.
