Tyler Brooks
Making candles at home is a fun and simple activity that can be done by anyone. With just a few basic supplies, such as wax, a wick, a container, and a stovetop, you can create beautiful and fragrant candles. Soy wax and beeswax are popular choices for natural candles, while paraffin wax is the most economical option. The type of wick you use is also important, with paper, cotton, zinc, or wood wicks being the most common. You can even add essential oils or fragrance oils to create scented candles. Whether you're making candles for yourself or as gifts, it's a great way to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and scents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, or coconut wax |
| Container | Old jars, teacups, tins, or glass jars |
| Wick | Metal dish |
| Fragrance | Essential oils, fragrance oils, dried herbs, or flowers |
| Colour | Candle dye |
| Temperature | 160-185°F for wax, 125°F for pouring |
| Weight | 12 ounces of wax, 1 ounce of fragrance oil |
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Benefits | Cost-effective, eco-friendly, therapeutic, decorative, and a great gift |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Type of Wax
The most common types of wax used for candle-making include paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax. Paraffin wax is a popular choice due to its affordability and ease of use. However, soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax are increasingly popular for their sustainability and natural properties. Soy wax, in particular, is known for its long-lasting fragrance and tendency to develop sinkholes during cooling. Beeswax is also favoured for its natural scent and eco-friendliness.
Performance
The performance of your candle will depend on the type of wax you choose. For example, beeswax has a higher melting point and burns hotter compared to other waxes. This may require adjustments to the amount of essential oil or fragrance oil added. Soy wax may also require a larger wick due to its heavier fragrance and darker colour options.
Scent
If you plan to add a scent to your candle, consider the type of wax that will complement your chosen fragrance. Essential oils, for instance, pair well with natural waxes like beeswax and soy wax. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, can be used with various types of wax but may require different amounts depending on the wax's properties.
Eco-Friendliness
If creating eco-friendly candles is important to you, opt for sustainable and natural wax options like soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax. These waxes are biodegradable and often derived from renewable resources, making them a more environmentally conscious choice.
Availability and Cost
Consider the availability and cost of the wax when making your decision. Paraffin wax is widely available and affordable, while specialty waxes like soy wax or coconut wax may be more expensive and require online purchasing.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right wax for your homemade candles, ensuring a pleasant and successful candle-making experience.
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Preparing your work area
Firstly, ensure you have a clean and flat surface to work on. Cover your table or workbench with newspaper or a towel to protect it from any spills. This will also make cleaning up easier. Gather all the supplies you need, including your wax, fragrance oils or essential oils, wicks, wick stickers or hot glue, a melting pot, a larger pot for a double boiler, a spoon for stirring, a thermometer, and popsicle sticks or pencils to centre and stabilise the wick. You can find these supplies online or in craft stores.
When you have all your supplies ready, it's time to set up your double boiler. Fill the larger pot with water and place it on your stove. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your melting pot, but ensure that the water level is high enough to cover at least halfway up the melting pot. Place your melting pot into the larger pot. This setup will allow you to heat your wax evenly and safely.
Now, you can start preparing your wick. Cut your wick to the desired length, ensuring it is long enough to fit comfortably in your chosen container with a little extra length at the top. Use a wick sticker or a small amount of hot glue to secure the metal bottom of the wick to the centre of your container. You can use popsicle sticks or pencils to help you centre and stabilise the wick. Place your container with the wick off to the side for now.
Before melting your wax, it's a good idea to measure out the amount you need. Fill your chosen container (with the wick in place) with wax pellets, and then use a kitchen scale to weigh the amount of wax. This will help you determine the correct amount of scent oil to add later. Remember that your candle should be mostly wax, with fragrance oil making up only a small percentage.
Now you are ready to begin melting your wax. Place the wax in your melting pot and heat it over medium heat. Stir the wax occasionally to ensure even melting. Use your thermometer to monitor the temperature. Your wax should melt at a temperature between 160-185 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your wax is fully melted, remove it from the heat source and allow it to cool slightly before adding your fragrance oil.
By following these steps to prepare your work area and materials, you'll be well on your way to successfully making candles at home.
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Melting wax
First, measure out your wax by filling the container that will hold your finished candle with wax pellets. This ensures you have the right amount of wax for your desired container. Then, use a kitchen scale to weigh the wax, as this will determine the amount of scent oil to add later.
Next, set up your double boiler by filling a larger pot with enough water to cover at least halfway up the side of your melting pot, which will hold your wax. Place the larger pot on the stove over medium heat. Add your wax to the melting pot and place it inside the larger pot, allowing the wax to melt gently. You can also add grated crayon wax at this stage if you want to add colour to your candle. Heat the wax to around 185°F (between 320 and 340 degrees Fahrenheit). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, being careful not to exceed 390 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the wax from catching fire.
Once the wax has melted, you can stir in your desired scent oil or fragrance. Turn off the heat and allow the wax mixture to cool slightly before pouring. While the wax is melting or cooling, prepare your wick by fixing it to the bottom centre of your container with a wick sticker or hot glue.
Alternatively, you can melt wax in a melting pot directly over medium heat, but this requires careful monitoring to avoid overheating. Another option is to use a wax melter, an appliance specifically designed for melting wax, which often includes temperature control features. Simply plug in the wax melter, set the desired temperature, and place the solid wax into the melter pot. The wax will melt quickly, so keep a close eye on it. Once melted, open the spigot at the bottom to pour the wax into a container for mixing, measuring, or pouring.
For a more creative approach, you can use aluminium foil to trap heat and melt the wax. First, wipe any dust or debris from the top of the wax with a paper towel. Prepare a piece of aluminium foil large enough to cover the top of the candle. Cut a small, one-inch hole in the centre of the foil. Light the wick and wrap the foil over the candle, ensuring the hole is directly over the flame. This method is useful for smoothing out the top layer of wax or removing extra wax if your wick is buried.
Additionally, you can melt wax in a microwave, but this is not recommended for jarred candles as the metal discs that attach the wick can be an issue. Always be cautious when melting wax, and ensure you do not inhale any fumes.
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Adding scent and colour
Adding Scent
Firstly, measure out your wax. The easiest way to do this is to fill the container that will hold your finished candle with wax pellets. Then, use a kitchen scale to weigh the wax, so you know how much scent oil to add. As a rule of thumb, the more wax you have, the more scent oil you will need. Place the wax in a melting pot and use a double boiler to melt it—this will prevent the wax from overheating. Heat the wax to 185°F.
Once the wax has melted, stir in the desired amount of scent oil. Make sure to distribute it evenly throughout the wax. Turn off the heat and let the wax mixture cool to 125°F before pouring it into your chosen container. While the wax is cooling, prepare your container by adding a wick to the centre, securing it with a wick sticker or hot glue.
Adding Colour
There are several ways to add colour to your candles, including using candle dye, crayons, or natural mica. If using candle dye, start by melting your wax in a double boiler. Add a small amount of powdered or liquid dye, stirring continuously to distribute the colour evenly. You can always add more dye gradually until you achieve your desired shade. Remember, a little goes a long way, and the intensity of the colour will depend on the amount of wax you are using.
If you want to use crayons for colouring, simply peel off the paper and drop in the desired number of crayon pieces. Stir well until the wax is evenly coloured. Natural mica is another option, but it is important to note that it should not be mixed directly into the wax, as it may not distribute evenly. Instead, use it to create a coloured layer on the surface of your candle.
Once you are happy with the colour, allow the wax to cool to around 135–140 °F (57–60 °C). At this point, you can pour the wax into your prepared container with the wick. It may take up to an hour for the wax to solidify completely. Avoid touching the wax during this time, as it may leave imperfections. To speed up the hardening process, you can place the candle in a cool area or the refrigerator.
Finally, trim your wick to about 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) above the surface of the wax, and your scented, coloured candle is ready to be enjoyed!
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Trimming the wick
To trim a candle wick, use a sharp pair of scissors or a specialised wick trimmer. Cut the wick vertically and straight across, not at an angle, for a cleaner burn. It is important to trim the wick when it is at room temperature, and to remove any debris from the wax before lighting the candle.
It is also important to trim the wick regularly, especially if you are burning a scented candle. Trimming the wick helps to maintain a consistent fragrance output and prevents the build-up of soot on the wick, which can fall back into the wax. If you forget to trim the wick before lighting the candle, let it cool down before trimming.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a heat source (like a stovetop), a heat-proof container, a pot and bowl for a double boiler, a thermometer, fragrance oils, candle dye, and wicks.
First, prepare a clean and flat surface covered with newspaper or a towel. Measure the amount of wax required to fill your container, then melt the wax by pouring it into the double boiler. Add fragrance oil and stir, then attach a wick to the bottom of the container before pouring in the melted wax. Use skewers or popsicle sticks to secure the wick until the wax solidifies.
Soy wax is natural and affordable, while paraffin wax is the most economical but least natural option. Beeswax is another natural option, but it can be expensive.
A good rule of thumb is to use 1 ounce of fragrance oil for every 1 pound of wax. Adding more oil can weigh down the wax and reduce the scent throw, which is the radius around the candle where the scent can be detected.
