Jessie Taylor
Making candles is a fun and simple activity that can be done at home with easily accessible supplies. It is a great hobby to take up, and can even turn into a side hustle or full-fledged business. With a few basic supplies, such as wax, a wick, a stovetop or similar heat source, and a container, you can create beautiful and personalized candles. The process is simple: melt the wax, add fragrance if desired, secure the wick, and let the wax cool and solidify. You can experiment with different types of wax, such as soy, beeswax, or paraffin, and choose from a variety of fragrance oils or essential oils to create your desired scent. Whether you're making candles for yourself, as gifts, or to sell, candle-making is a therapeutic and enjoyable activity that anyone can try.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Ingredients | Wax (beeswax, soy, paraffin, coconut, etc.), wick, pot, stove-top, fragrance oil, essential oil |
| Method | Melt wax, pour into containers, secure wick, add fragrance, let cool and solidify |
| Tips | Use a double boiler to melt wax, trim wick to 1/4-1 inch before lighting, cure candle for at least 7 days for stronger scent |
| Cost | $50-$200 for supplies |
| Online Resources | Standley Handcrafted, Memory Box Candle Co, Black Tie Barn, Candle Science, Cork & Candles, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing your wax: Soy, beeswax, paraffin, coconut, or a blend
- Preparing your wick: Use stickers to secure the wick to the base
- Melting the wax: Use a double boiler to melt wax without burning it
- Adding fragrance: Essential oils or fragrance oils can be added to melted wax
- Curing your candle: Let candles cure for at least a week to improve scent strength
Choosing your wax: Soy, beeswax, paraffin, coconut, or a blend
When choosing the type of wax for your candle, you can select from soy, beeswax, paraffin, coconut, or a blend. Each type of wax has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. Here is a detailed overview of each type of wax to help you make an informed decision:
Soy Wax
Soy wax is a natural and affordable option for candle-making. It is often available as a blend, so be sure to check the label. Soy wax typically has a lower melting point, which can affect the scent throw—the radius around your candle where the scent will reach as it burns. Soy wax is predominantly grown in the US, with smaller amounts sourced from South America.
Beeswax
Beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax, produced by bees during the honey-making process. It has a subtly sweet natural fragrance, eliminating the need for additional scent. Beeswax is harder and more solid, making it ideal for crafting free-standing pillar candles. However, it tends to be more expensive than other wax options.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is the most common and economical option for candle-making. It is highly versatile and easy to work with, making it a popular choice. Paraffin wax has a high melting point, allowing for intricate designs and control over burn time. However, it is derived from the oil industry, making it less eco-friendly. Paraffin wax candles produce soot and toxins when burned, which can be a health and environmental concern.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is a newer, natural, renewable, and eco-friendly option that has gained popularity. Derived from coconut oil, it has a creamy white appearance and natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Coconut wax burns at a cooler temperature than soy wax, resulting in a slower and more even burn. It can also hold more fragrance and colour, resulting in a robust and long-lasting scent throw. However, pure coconut wax can be challenging to work with due to its delicate structure and inconsistent texture. It is typically blended with other waxes, such as soy wax, to enhance its performance. Coconut wax is usually sourced from regions in Asia with a high yield of coconuts.
Wax Blends
You can also opt for wax blends, which combine different types of waxes, such as paraffin and soy waxes, to create a more eco-friendly option that burns strongly. Blends allow you to customise your wax to suit your specific needs and preferences. Popular wax blends include combinations of coconut and soy wax, as well as coconut wax blended with beeswax or palm wax.
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Preparing your wick: Use stickers to secure the wick to the base
Preparing your wick is a crucial step in candle-making, ensuring the candle burns effectively and safely. Wick stickers are an easy and convenient way to secure your wick to the base of your chosen vessel. This vessel can be a recycled container, or you can purchase a heat-proof container from a supplier.
Firstly, you will need to decide on the type of wick you want to use. Wicks are commonly made of paper, cotton, zinc, or wood. The type of wick you choose will depend on the type of wax and the size of your candle vessel. For example, a heavier fragrance and darker colour will require a bigger wick.
Once you have chosen your wick, you will need to attach it to the base of your vessel using a wick sticker. These stickers are designed to securely hold the wick in place while the wax is poured and as the candle burns. Place the wick sticker at the centre of your vessel, and press the wick firmly into place.
You can use a straight object, such as a pencil or popsicle stick, to ensure the wick is centred and held upright. This will help you achieve an even burn and maximise the life of your candle. It is important to trim the wick to the recommended length before lighting your candle.
By preparing your wick with care, you can ensure the candle-making process is safe and enjoyable. Taking time to secure the wick properly will result in a candle that burns efficiently and minimises the risk of accidents.
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Melting the wax: Use a double boiler to melt wax without burning it
Melting wax for candles can be done in several ways, but the most popular method is to use a double boiler. This method is useful and convenient and keeps the wax out of direct contact with the heat source, avoiding wax burning.
To melt wax using a double boiler, start by filling a large pan with water to about halfway. Place the pan on your stove or hotplate and heat the water. Next, place your wax in a smaller pan, glass bowl, or pouring jug. The wax can be in shredded, cubed, or chunk form. Then, place the smaller container with the wax inside the larger pan of hot water. Heat the wax over medium heat until it has completely melted.
An alternative to the double boiler method is to use a microwave. This method can be faster, but it is important to be cautious as the container may not be microwave-safe. First, pour your wax into a microwave-safe container, preferably ceramic or glass. Place the container in the microwave and heat the wax in one-minute intervals until it reaches 80°C. Continue heating in two-minute intervals until the wax is fully melted. Once the wax reaches 80°C, remove it from the microwave and place it on a safe, even, covered surface. Use a thermometer to ensure the wax cools down to 70°C before adding colour and fragrance.
Other methods for melting wax include using a wax melter, an oven, or a stovetop.
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Adding fragrance: Essential oils or fragrance oils can be added to melted wax
Adding fragrance to your candle using essential oils or fragrance oils is a great way to make your candle unique and therapeutic. It is important to note that not all oils are suitable for candles, so be sure to check the product description and only use oils that are designed for candle-making. Essential oils are natural and more potent than fragrance oils, so a little goes a long way.
To add fragrance to your candle, start by lighting the candle and letting it burn until there is a pool of wax about 1 inch deep around the wick. Then, blow out the candle and add your chosen oil to the melted wax. The number of drops will depend on the desired strength of the scent and the type of oil used. For a light scent, 3-4 drops of fragrance oil should be enough, while 10 drops of essential oil will create a moderately scented candle. If you want a stronger fragrance, simply add more drops.
Use an eye-dropper to add the oil to the hot wax, being careful not to let it come into contact with an open flame. You can then use a toothpick or a small metal spoon to gently stir the wax and distribute the oil, working in small circles from the wick outwards. Allow the wax to cool completely so it can fully absorb the scent before lighting the candle again.
The temperature of the wax is also important when adding fragrance. For soy and paraffin wax, add the fragrance at 180-185°F, and for palm wax, the ideal temperature is 200-205°F. Stirring the wax and fragrance together for several minutes will help the fragrance bind to the wax and prevent it from settling at the bottom, which can result in a weak scent throw.
Remember to always trim your wick before lighting your candle to avoid smoke, soot, and mushrooming, and to ensure your candle burns properly and safely. Enjoy your beautifully scented, homemade candle!
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Curing your candle: Let candles cure for at least a week to improve scent strength
Curing your candle is an important step in the candle-making process. It allows the fragrance oil to "bind" to the wax, enhancing the scent throw. While some candle makers suggest that 24 hours is sufficient curing time, others argue for a longer curing period.
The length of the curing process depends on the type of wax used. For example, vegetable waxes like soy continue to harden over time due to polymorphic crystallization. The candle-making community generally believes that the most hardening occurs within the first two weeks after pouring, but changes can continue for months. Therefore, it is recommended to let soy candles cure for at least two weeks to improve the hot throw, or the strength of the scent when the candle is lit.
The curing time can also impact the size of the wick required. Harder candles may need larger wicks to generate enough heat to melt the wax. Burning a candle too soon after pouring may lead to the misconception that the wick is oversized if the wax melts too quickly.
While it is possible to burn a candle after a short curing time, a longer curing period can improve the overall performance of the candle. Burn testing is an important step in the candle-making process, and it can take a week or more to properly test a candle, depending on the testing framework. This process can reveal curing patterns, such as the middle of the candle hardening last, which can be mistaken for tunnelling if the candle is not cured long enough.
In summary, curing your candle for at least a week, and preferably two weeks, is essential to improving scent strength and ensuring the optimal performance of your candle. This allows the fragrance oil to bind effectively to the wax and provides time for the candle to harden properly, resulting in a stronger and longer-lasting scent.
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Frequently asked questions
Basic candle-making supplies include a stovetop or something similar to melt the wax, a heat-proof container, wax (soy wax flakes are a great option for beginners), a wick, and fragrance oil for scent.
First, measure out your wax. Then, melt the wax using a double boiler method, which involves placing a heat-safe bowl or candle pourer in or on top of a pot of water. Next, secure the wick in the centre of your vessel using a pencil or wick stickers. Then, add your fragrance and pour the wax into your vessel. Finally, let the candle cool and cure for at least 24 hours before trimming the wick and lighting.
Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle and the fragrance oil accounts for the remaining 7%. Adding more fragrance oil will not make the scent stronger and may cause the candle to produce black soot.
