Tyler Brooks
Gel candles are a unique and beautiful way to bring light into your home. They are also a fun DIY project! The process of making gel candles is a little more intricate than making traditional wax candles, but the results are well worth the effort. Gel candles are known for their seascape and fruit effects, and you can embed items like shells, marbles, glitter, crystals, and dried flowers to create a unique and personalised candle. The gel wax is translucent, so your chosen items will be clearly visible. You can also add fragrance and colour to your gel candle, creating a vibrant and sensory experience. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make your own gel candle, including choosing the right materials, melting the gel wax, adding your chosen items, and pouring your candle.
Embedding gel candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Embed materials | Shells, imitation pearls, glitter, marbles, colourful rocks, crystals, dried flowers, spices, wax chunks, wax fruit |
| Container | Glass jar, mason jar, drinking glass, fancy glasses, wine glasses, vases |
| Wick | Zinc core wicks, not cotton wicks |
| Wax | Gel wax, not traditional wax |
| Wax density | Low, medium, or high density, depending on the concentration of scent |
| Wax melting | Cut into small strips, melt in a double boiler at medium heat, or use a pouring pot on the stove at low to medium flame |
| Wax temperature | No hotter than 230 F (110 C) |
| Wax pouring | Pour slowly to avoid bubbles |
| Colour | Liquid dye, added slowly, very little is needed |
| Fragrance | Hydrocarbon-compatible, non-polar fragrance, 1/3 teaspoon per glass of melted gel |
| Embedding process | Keep gel cool, not hot, dip embeds in hot gel to stick them to the holder, pour gel into holder |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a container
When choosing a container for your gel candle, it's important to consider both style and safety.
Firstly, gel candles come in a variety of decorative containers, so you can choose one that aligns with your personal style or home decor. Popular options include glass jars, mason jars, drinking glasses, and metal tins. If you plan to add a label to your candle, metal containers are a good option as they are easy to label and come in a variety of colours. Metal containers also help to preserve the scent of the candle when stored with a lid.
However, it's crucial to prioritise safety when choosing a container. Here are some important considerations:
- Heat Resistance: Select a container that is heat-resistant, such as oven-safe ceramics, glassware, cast iron, enamel camping mugs, or pressure canning jars. Avoid using containers that could easily catch fire, such as birch bark bowls, coconut shells, plastic glasses, or porous ceramic containers without a proper sealant.
- Stability: Choose a container with a stable base that won't easily tip over. Avoid containers with uneven surfaces or top-heavy designs.
- Proper Wick Size: Ensure that you select the appropriate wick size for your chosen container. This is critical due to the higher burning temperatures of gel candles.
- Fire Safety: Gel candles have been associated with fire hazards, so never leave a burning gel candle unattended. Choose a container with a longer neck to ensure that the flame is extinguished before reaching the bottom of the container.
- Container Shattering: There have been indications that the container holding the gel may shatter as the gel expands during heating. To mitigate this risk, follow instructions regarding temperatures for pouring gel and always use heat-resistant containers.
Remember, the most important safety consideration is proper supervision. Always place your gel candle on a heat-resistant surface, away from anything flammable, and never leave it unattended.
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Selecting the right wax
Wax Type and Compatibility
Gel candles are made from a mineral-oil-based gel or a blend of mineral oil and polymer resin, which gives them their gelatin-like appearance. This type of wax is not considered natural because it is derived from petroleum. However, modern gel wax is highly refined and performs well in candles. It is important to choose a gel wax that is compatible with the container and other materials you will be using. For example, gel wax may not be suitable for certain types of plastic containers due to heat concerns.
Scent and Density
Gel wax is available in different densities, which affect the amount of scent they can hold. Lower density gel wax can hold between 0-3% scent, medium density can hold between 0-4%, and high density can hold between 0-5%. Choose a gel-compatible scent with a non-polar fragrance and a flash point above 170°F (77°C). Keep in mind that gel wax itself has a strong scent, so you may want to select a fragrance that complements this.
Colour
To add colour to your gel candle, select a liquid candle dye that is compatible with gel wax. The translucency of gel wax makes it ideal for creating layered designs and embedding objects. If you want a clear, transparent gel candle, you may opt for a colourless dye or no dye at all.
Wick
It is important to use a wick that is specifically designed for gel candles. Gel wax has a higher burning temperature than traditional waxes, so a compatible wick will ensure a safe and optimal burning experience. When adding the wick, pour the wax into your container first, then immediately insert the wick and hold it in place for about a minute before releasing it. You can use a pencil or bamboo stick to stabilise the wick until the wax sets.
Container
Gel candles are typically made in glass containers such as mason jars, drinking glasses, or other decorative glassware. The transparency of gel wax makes it well-suited for clear containers, allowing for interesting visual effects. When choosing a container, consider the size and shape that will best showcase your embedded objects and any colour or fragrance combinations you plan to use.
Additives and Blends
Gel wax does not require any additional additives, but you may choose to use UV light stabilisers to prevent fading over time. If you wish to customise your gel wax further, you can experiment with blending different types of waxes, such as soy or paraffin, to achieve specific performance characteristics like scent throw, burn time, or aesthetic qualities.
Remember, selecting the right wax for your gel candle project involves careful consideration of compatibility, performance, and aesthetic factors. Taking the time to choose the right wax will ensure your gel candle turns out just as you envisioned.
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Using embeds
When choosing your embeds, it is important to select non-flammable items. Natural materials should be coated to prevent clouding and bubbles. Avoid using dried sea life, such as starfish, as they will eventually bloat and ruin the appearance of your candle. Also, be mindful that objects can cause bubbles, so consider warming your container and pouring your wax slowly to minimise this.
There are a few different methods for adding embeds to your gel candles. One method is to place your embeds at the bottom of your container and then add your wax. This technique works well for gel candles, especially if you are using heavy embeds as you don't need to glue them down. If you are making a container candle, you can use fast-setting epoxy glue to secure your embeds and place them at various heights.
Another method is to make a core candle with your chosen embeds. Place this candle into a larger mould and fill the perimeter with your desired embeds. Then, pour wax into the mould. This method is suitable for typically flammable materials like dried flowers and spices, as the wick is sized for the core candle and shouldn't extend to the objects.
You can also add embeds by making a hole in a partially cooled candle. Cut a hole in the wax, remove the soft wax in the centre, and add your embeds. Then, remelt the wax and pour it back into the hole, creating the appearance of floating embeds.
When assembling your embeds, prepare them in advance to avoid your gel wax cooling down too much. If you are working with layers of embeds, only pour enough wax to cover each section at a time. Use tweezers to adjust your embeds if they move, and a hairdryer to eliminate any unwanted bubbles that form on the top of your candle.
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Adding colour and scent
Gel candles are a fun way to showcase your creativity and add a unique touch to your space. When it comes to adding colour and scent, here are some detailed steps to follow:
Choosing the Right Materials
Select a gel wax density based on the concentration of scent you want. Low-density gel wax can hold up to 3% scent, medium density can hold up to 4%, and high density can hold up to 5%. Choose a non-polar fragrance with a flashpoint higher than 170°F to avoid migration and ensure compatibility with the gel.
Adding Colour
Use liquid candle dye to achieve your desired colour. Very little dye is needed for gel candles. Combine multiple dyes to create new hues. Avoid wax-based dyes as they can make the gel cloudy. Food colouring is an option, but liquid and gel food colourants may not adhere well to the wax. Crayons can also be used, but they may block the wick.
Adding Scent
Add fragrant essential oils to your gel candle to create a mild or strong scent. Typically, 1/3 teaspoon of fragrant oil is recommended for a mild scent, and you can increase the amount for a stronger aroma.
Embedding Objects
If you're embedding objects like shells, pearls, or wax fruit, use a little glue to attach them to the bottom of your container before pouring the wax. This ensures they are secure and visible. If embedding heavier objects, you may not need glue. For a floating effect, partially fill the container with wax, let it partially cool, cut a hole, and embed your items before refilling with wax.
Pouring the Gel
Heat your container to 150-160°F to prevent bubbles. Dip any embedded objects in hot gel and position them. Pour the gel along the side of the container to further reduce bubbles. Ensure your wick is straight and secure, and trim it after the candle has cooled.
Remember to follow safety guidelines and always work with these materials in a well-ventilated area. Enjoy crafting your colourful and fragrant gel candles!
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Melting and pouring
Gel wax is considered one of the most difficult candle waxes to work with. It is not technically a wax, but a gel, and it is very clear, almost like looking through water or solid glass. However, it does melt and vaporize just like regular wax.
When melting and pouring gel candles, it is recommended to use an electrical pot with temperature control, such as a Presto Pot, which is available at Walmart. Another option is to use a pan on direct heat, but this method requires careful monitoring of the temperature. If the gel gets too hot, it may ignite. Never leave melting wax unattended.
The ideal temperature for adding colour to gel wax is 215°F, then cool it down to 203-210°F for pouring. Add the scent just before pouring the gel and stir it well. Do not let the temperature exceed 230°F. The hotter the gel is when poured, the fewer bubbles there will be in the finished candle.
Before pouring, heat your glassware for a couple of minutes in an oven preheated to 175°F. If you are embedding items like glass miniatures or shells, ensure they are clean and dry, and dip them into the gel before placing them in the glass.
To determine the amount of wax needed, fill your chosen container with water, leaving one or two inches of space at the top. Weigh the water, then divide by five to get the amount of wax required.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need gel wax, a glass container, a zinc wick, fragrance oils, dye, a pouring pot, a thermometer, glue dots, and any embeds you want to include.
You can melt gel wax in a pouring pot on the stove or a glass measuring cup in the oven. If using a pouring pot, cut the gel wax into sizable pieces and place them in the pot on a low-to-medium flame until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency. Do not let the gel wax exceed 230°F (110°C). If using an oven, preheat it to 225°F (107°C), cut the desired amount of gel wax into chunks, and place them in a glass container in the oven for about an hour.
First, decide if you want to add colour or fragrance to your gel wax. If so, add them slowly and stir the mixture. Next, heat your container in the microwave for about a minute to prevent bubbles. Then, dip your desired embeds into the hot gel and arrange them in your container. Finally, pour the gel into the container, ensuring the wick is hanging over the top.
