Ben Carter
Votive candles are easy to make and can be customised to suit any setting or event. They are not meant to be freestanding and should be used with holders specifically rated for votives. To make your own, you'll need a double boiler, a wax melting kit, and wax designed for votives. You can add dye and fragrance to your wax, and you'll need to stir the mixture thoroughly. Once the wax reaches 185ºF (85°C), it's time for the first pour, and the wax should be poured slowly to avoid bubbles. After the second pour the following day, the candles should be left to cool completely before being removed from their moulds.
How to Make Votive Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Votive Candle Type | Container candle |
| Votive Candle Mold | Votive molds, silicon molds |
| Votive Candle Wax | Wax designed for votives and container candles |
| Votive Candle Mold Preparation | Clean molds, spray with cooking spray |
| Votive Candle Wax Temperature | 175°F to 185°F |
| Votive Candle Wax Additives | Dye, UV stabilizer, fragrance, Vybar 260 |
| Votive Candle Pouring | Slow, level with the mold top, second pour required |
| Votive Candle Cooling | In the refrigerator or freezer |
| Votive Candle Removal | Pull on wick pin or wick |
| Votive Candle Wick | LX-14 pretabbed wick, trimmed to 1/4" |
| Votive Candle Holder | Standard Votive Holder |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing your work area
Next, gather your equipment and supplies. You will need an inexpensive double boiler setup, which can be created by placing a pouring pot in a saucepan of water. This prevents the wax from reaching dangerously high temperatures. Place a metal trivet or cookie cutter under the pouring pot to elevate it, ensuring the wax does not receive direct heat from any side. You will also need a wax melting kit, which includes a melting pot, thermometer, and stir sticks.
Now, measure out the amount of wax required. You can make about eight votive candles per pound of wax. Place the wax in the melting pot and heat it to between 175°F and 185°F, depending on the type of wax. While the wax is melting, you can prepare your votive moulds. Even when the moulds are new, there may be a thin layer of oil in them from the manufacturing process, so it is important to clean them before use.
Finally, while you wait for the wax to melt, break off the amount of dye you would like to use. As a guide, use about a quarter of the dye block per pound of wax, adjusting up or down according to the shade you want.
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Melting the wax
First, prepare your workspace by covering it with butcher paper or newspaper. This step is important as it makes cleaning up spills or drips easier. Next, measure out the amount of wax you need. Typically, you can make about eight votive candles per pound of wax. Cut the wax into small pieces using a utility knife; be careful not to injure yourself. Place the wax pieces into your melting pot, which is part of your wax melting kit.
To create a double boiler, fill a saucepan with about an inch of water and place the melting pot inside. This setup helps prevent the wax from reaching dangerously high temperatures. Place a metal trivet or cookie cutter under the melting pot to elevate it and ensure the wax doesn't receive direct heat from any side. Turn the heat to a medium-low setting to boil the water without letting it reach a rolling boil, which may cause splattering.
Continuously monitor the temperature of the wax and adjust the heat as needed. Votive wax should be heated to a range of 175°F to 185°F, depending on the type of wax. While the wax is melting, prepare your votive molds. Even new molds may have a thin layer of oil from manufacturing, so it's essential to clean them before pouring in the wax.
Once the wax reaches 185°F, you can add your chosen dye and fragrance. For a fresh and summery scent, consider using Sea Mist Fragrance Oil. Gently stir the mixture for about two minutes. As the wax cools down to 175°F, it's time for the first pour. Slowly pour the melted wax into the votive molds, filling them up to the lip. Remember, votive wax will shrink as it cools, so a second pour is usually necessary the following day.
By following these steps carefully, you'll successfully melt and prepare the wax for your votive candles. Always exercise caution when working with hot wax to avoid any accidents.
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Adding colour and fragrance
To add colour to your votive candles, you can use candle dyes or dye blocks. CandleScience recommends its Seafoam Dye Blocks to achieve a fresh and summery atmosphere. Break off the amount of dye block you would like to use—about 1/4 ounce of dye per pound of wax—and adjust according to the shade you want.
Stir the dye gently but thoroughly into the wax until the colour is evenly distributed. To test the colour, drip a small amount of wax onto a paper plate or paper towel and allow it to harden. If you desire a deeper shade, add more dye. You can also add a UV stabilizer to the wax to prevent the colour from fading due to UV exposure or fluorescent lighting. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of UV stabilizer per pound of wax and stir until it is completely dissolved.
For fragrance, CandleScience recommends its Sea Mist Fragrance Oil. Add your chosen fragrance when the wax reaches 185ºF (85°C) and remove from the heat. You can also use candle-approved essential oils. Check the recommended usage percentage on the essential oil product page and start with low percentages. Stir gently for about two minutes.
Once the colour and fragrance are mixed into the wax, you can begin pouring the wax into your votive moulds. Pour slowly to prevent bubbles from forming on top of the wax, and fill the moulds to the very top. You will need to do a second pour the following day, as votive wax will shrink as it cools. On the second pour, fill the moulds so that the wax level is slightly higher than the edge of the mould.
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Pouring the wax
The wax should be heated to between 175°F and 185°F (85°C and 85.06°C), depending on the type of wax you are using. You can test the colour by dripping a small amount of wax onto a paper plate or paper towel. Allow it to harden and you will be able to see the true colour. You can then add more dye if you want a deeper shade.
At this point, you can add a UV stabilizer to protect the colour from fading if the candles are exposed to UV rays or fluorescent lighting. Add about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of wax and stir until it is completely dissolved.
Now you are ready to pour the wax into the moulds. Make sure you fill them completely, as this will ensure the candles are even. Pour slowly to prevent bubbles from forming on the surface of the wax. The wax should be level with the top of the moulds. You will need to do a second pour the following day, as the wax will shrink as it cools. For this second pour, fill the moulds so that the wax level is slightly higher than the edge of the mould.
Leave the candles to cool completely before removing them from the moulds. If they have been left to fully cool, they should be easy to remove by pulling on the wick pin or wick. If you are having trouble, put them in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to allow the wax to contract and release from the mould.
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Removing the candles from the moulds
Once the wax has been poured into the moulds, you need to leave the candles to cool completely. If you try to remove them before they have set, wax may spill over the sides of the mould. It is important to be patient during this stage, as the candles will only be ready to remove when they have fully cooled.
When the candles are ready, they should be easy to remove from the mould by pulling on the wick pin or wick. If you are having trouble removing them, a useful tip is to put the moulds in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to allow the wax to contract and release from the mould. Be careful not to leave them in the freezer for too long, or your candles may crack and fall apart when removed.
If you used wick pins, these will need to be removed and replaced with pre-tabbed wicks, trimmed to about 1/4" (6 mm).
Now you've made your first batch of votives, place your votive candles into approved votive holders. Always follow candle-burning safety rules and remember to put a warning label on the bottom of each votive holder.
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Frequently asked questions
Votive candles are often used as a form of prayer or dedication, with the candle acting as an external symbol of a particular intention or memory.
You will need wax, a mould, a wick, and a fragrance or dye if desired. First, melt your wax in a double boiler, being careful to monitor the temperature. Prepare your moulds, and centre a wick pin in each. Pour the wax into the moulds, filling them completely. Leave the candles to cool for 10 minutes, then top up each mould with more liquid wax to fill any air holes. Leave to cool completely, then remove from the moulds and trim the wicks.
You can use paraffin wax, beeswax, or a blend of beeswax and pillar soy wax.
Votive candles should be burned in a properly-sized holder, with the wax melting out to the sides of the holder. Burn for at least one hour per session, and do not extinguish the candle until it has burned down to 1/2 inch.
