Brooke Martin
Dipping taper candles is a fun, old-fashioned skill that can be learned in a weekend. It is one of the oldest and most hands-on ways to make candles. The process involves building up layers of wax on a wick, which naturally creates slender taper candles. While dipping candles can be time-consuming, the result is worth the effort—hand-dipped tapers make great table candles, emergency lighting, and thoughtful gifts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax Type | Beeswax, Paraffin, Soy or Coconut Wax |
| Wax Melting Point | 145 F for Beeswax, higher for dipping |
| Wax Weight | 5 lbs for 7" taper |
| Wax Level | 9" for 7" taper |
| Wick Length | 2x the length of a single taper |
| Wick Weight | Hex nuts, nuts or similar |
| Dipping Vat | Large pot, tin or can |
| Dipping Technique | Dip, cool, repeat until desired thickness |
| Cooling Method | Hang, place on wax paper or dunk in cold water |
| Storage | Hang in pairs to keep straight |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing your work area and materials
Firstly, lay down an old sheet or waste fabric on your work surface to protect it from any spills or messes. You can use a large piece of muslin or any similar fabric that can easily be spread out on the floor or table. This will create a clean and designated space for your candle-dipping project.
Next, set up a wooden clothes rack or another similar structure near your work area. This will serve as a hanging space for your wicks as they cool and dry between dips. It is important to have a dedicated space for this step to ensure the wicks don't touch each other and to maintain the shape of your candles.
Additionally, you will need a table or countertop nearby to roll your candles on and keep them straight. A smooth, flat surface like a marble slab or a regular countertop will work well for this purpose. This step helps to straighten and shape the candles as they cool.
For your heat source, a stove or hot plate is ideal. You will also need a pot or container that is safe for heating wax. A dedicated pan specifically for melting wax is recommended, as it can be challenging to clean spilled wax from pans. You can use a double boiler setup by placing your wax container inside a larger pot of water. This will help maintain the ideal temperature for your wax.
Before you begin dipping, prepare your wicks by cutting them to the appropriate length. The length of the wick will depend on the size of your desired candles. For example, if you are making 7" taper candles, you will need a length of wicking that is about 21" long. You can use coat hanger wire and pliers to create a simple rig to hold the wicks and act as a handle while dipping.
Finally, gather your choice of wax. Beeswax and paraffin wax are commonly used for taper candles. Melt your wax in the double boiler setup, ensuring that it reaches the ideal temperature for dipping, which is around 155°F. You may also add colours or fragrances to your wax at this stage if desired.
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Melting the wax
There are many different types of wax that can be used for taper candles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Beeswax is a popular choice, as it is a slow-burning wax and results in thicker layers, meaning fewer dips are required. It also burns longer and is more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax. However, it is more expensive. Paraffin wax is a more cost-effective option and is the most common type of wax used in commercial candles. It has a lower melting point than beeswax and may require twice as many dips to achieve the desired thickness. Straight paraffin with a medium or high melting point is preferred. Lower-melting-point paraffins should be avoided, as they will not hold their shape. If using paraffin wax, consider adding a hardening additive such as stearic acid to make the finished tapers more rigid.
When melting the wax, it is important to maintain the depth of the wax in the vessel, as the level will decrease with each candle dipped. One way to do this is to keep a smaller can of wax melted on the side, which can be used to top up the larger can as needed. Another method is to pour wax from one jar to another to maintain the depth, ensuring that you always have the full height of wax when dipping. Contaminants can get into the candle if the wax level is too low.
The amount of wax you will need depends on the size of your candles and the number you plan to make. For 7" taper candles, you will need your wax level to be at about 9". This will take about 5 lbs of wax. If making 20 pairs of candles, you can plan on using 6 kg (14 lbs.) of wax, although you will only use about 3.5 kg.
Before dipping your wicks, it is important to prime them with beeswax to remove any trapped air. Dip the prepared wicks into the melted wax until no more bubbles are rising. You can also add colour and scent to your wax at this stage if desired.
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Preparing the wicks
Firstly, you need to cut the wicks to the desired length. The length of the wick will determine the length of your candle, so cut the wick to double the desired length of your candle. This will allow for the wick to be exposed for trimming and lighting once your candle is complete.
Next, attach weights to both ends of the wick. This will help to hold the wick straight and taut during the dipping process. You can use washers, small weights, or nuts to weigh down the wick. Cut the wick about 2 inches longer than the weight to ensure it is secure.
Now you are ready to begin dipping! Holding the wick in the middle, carefully dip it into the hot wax. You can use a pencil or your fingers to help hold the wick if that is easier. Dip the wick to the desired length of your candle, being careful not to pause during the dipping process as this can cause the wax to fall off the wick.
Remove the wick from the wax and gently straighten it with your fingers to ensure it has a nice shape. Allow the wick to cool for about a minute before dipping it back into the wax. Repeat this dipping process several times until your candle reaches the desired thickness.
Once your candle is the desired thickness, you can cut off the weights with scissors or a sharp knife. If you cut the weights off early, your candle will have a tapered bottom, whereas if you wait until the end, your candle will have a flat bottom.
Finally, hang your candles up to dry for at least an hour or up to 12 hours to fully harden before snipping the wicks and lighting them.
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Dipping the candles
Dipping candles is the process of building up layers of wax on a wick, which naturally creates slender taper candles. It is one of the oldest ways to make candles and is a hands-on, fun, old-fashioned skill that can be learned in a weekend.
To begin the dipping process, you will need to construct a rig to hold a length of wick. The length of wick will be about twice the length of a single taper. You can use coat hanger wire and a pair of pliers to make something that will hold the wick and act as a handle while dipping. You can dip multiple tapers in one setting by making a bunch of these rigs.
Each pair of tapers will need to be weighted with something initially to keep the wick straight while dipping. You can use handy nuts, hex nuts, or any other small weights you have available. Cut the wicking and tie the weights to each end. This adds weight and ensures the candles go down into the wax. It is handy to have a piece of wood or cardboard to hold the candle wick as you dip, to keep them separated and prevent them from sticking together.
Now you can begin dipping the candles. Go slowly and allow the wax to dry between dunks. If you want to speed up the process, you can dip them in cold water after dunking them in the wax. Hold the wick, doubled over your hand, into the hot wax and immediately lift it out again, allowing the excess wax to bead off and back into the pot. Re-dip immediately. Do this 4 times, each time holding the wick over the wax and allowing the excess wax to drip back into the melting pot. Keep the two sides of the wick from touching each other as you are dipping. If you are dipping multiple candles, you can hang them to cool and dry between dips.
When you feel like your candles are almost at the size you want, gently slice off the weights with a knife. Then, repeat a few more dips for a smooth finish on the ends of your candles. Hang your finished candles to completely cool, then store them flat in a cool, dry place.
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Trimming and storing
Taper candles are elegant and timeless, and have been used since 3000 BC. They are tall, slender, and cylindrical, and usually have a slight narrowing away from the base. They are also among the most sensitive of candles and can be easily damaged, so it is important to take care when trimming and storing them.
Trimming
To trim taper candles, you can use a knife to carve down the bottom so that it fits tightly inside a candle holder. However, this method can be messy and may damage the candle. A tool called a "Taper Tipper" can also be used to whittle down the base of the candle, resulting in a neater finish.
Storing
When storing taper candles, it is important to keep them in a cool, dark place, with a consistent temperature between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Basements, linen closets, and under-the-stairs closets are ideal locations. Taper candles should always be stored flat to prevent warping and should be wrapped in tissue paper to prevent scratching and scuffing. They can then be placed in a box or basket. Galvanized boxes are a good option due to their resistance to extreme temperatures. It is also important to avoid exposing taper candles to temperature and humidity fluctuations, as this can affect their quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Beeswax is a popular choice for dipping taper candles due to its slow-burning properties, thicker viscosity, and ability to create thicker layers, requiring fewer dips. However, paraffin wax is a more cost-effective alternative, although it may require twice as many dips as beeswax.
You will need wax (beeswax or paraffin), a melting pot or double boiler setup, a dipping container, wicks, weights or nuts, a piece of wood or cardboard, and optional colouring or fragrance.
Set up your melting pot or double boiler and heat the wax to around 155°F (68.3°C). Ensure the wax is fully melted and free of lumps before proceeding.
Prepare your wicks by cutting them to the appropriate length, usually twice the length of a single taper. Weight the wicks to keep them straight during dipping. Dip the wicks into the hot wax, allowing excess wax to drip back into the pot, and then hang them to cool. Repeat this process, building up layers of wax, until you achieve the desired thickness.
Allow your candles to fully cool and harden by hanging them or placing them on wax paper. Trim the wicks, and store the candles flat in a cool, dry place.
