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Making Candles at Home
Making Candles at Home
Prepare your molds. Center your candle wick into your molds. (I experimented a little
here and used a wick with a clip and one without - both methods worked out well)
Melt the candle wax in the double boiler or tin can in a pan of water, on your stove top
over a medium high heat, add your colour one drop at a time until the desired tint is
reached.
Remove the melted wax from heat, add fragrance, and allow to cool only 15 to 20
seconds. Carefully pour your wax into prepared molds.
CAUTION: Never leave melting wax unattended on you stove top, when heating as
overheated was is flammable.
** Floating candles in a clear bowl creates an extra special lighting effect. Using
distilled water eliminates mineral buildup on the side of crystal or glass, preserving its
unique presentation of floating candles.
• ¼ pound (4 oz or 125 g)
• Candle wax (to fit 6 oz container size)
• Wax crayon, colour of choice
• Fragrance of choice
• Candle wick 1 inch longer that the height of your container
• Heat resistant glass container
• Double boiler or suitable tin can in pan of water
Prepare your candle container. Center your candle wick (I prefer medium lead free
wire candle wicking) into your glass container. Let a drop or two of your scent roll
down the wick from top to bottom.
Melt the candle wax in the double boiler or tin can in a pan of water, on your stove top
over a medium high heat, add pieces of your crayon and stir into the candle wax -
note the color will intensify as the wax cools. Remove the melted wax from heat and
allow to cool slightly - about 1 minute, then add your scent 6 to 9 drops to your
preference.
Carefully pour your wax into prepared container. Reserve some of the wax - as your
candle cools it will shrink away from the center around the wick - when it is cold you
will want to reheat the reserved wax and pour into the depression around the wick to
even out your candle top. Allow to cool.
CAUTION: Never leave melting wax unattended on you stove top, when heating as
overheated was is flammable.
**A candle will burn more slowly and evenly if it's refrigerated before using. Wrap the
candle in plastic or foil before refrigerating to prevent wicks from absorbing moisture.
• Measuring Cup
• Scale
• Wooden Spoon
• Thermometer
• Stove Top Pot
• Fragrance
• Color
• Wick and base
• 25 Grams CP9000 Resin
• 2 Cups Mineral Oil
• Heat resistant glass container(s)
Mix Resin and Mineral Oil. Let mixed ingredients set at room temperature,
approximately 1 hour.
Add fragrance, not much, no more than 3%. Adding to much will make the gel more
flammable. Add Color.
Dip wick base in the gel. Place in bottom of container, hold in place until gel sets to
the glass.
Pour in gel. If the gel cools slightly before you pour, you will get bubbles. The cooler
the more bubbles. If you do not want bubbles, then pour you gel immediately.
After candle has set approximately 3 minutes you can drop in NON-FLAMMIBLE
objects ie. artificial fruit pieces, sea shells, whatever.
**Keep lit candles out of drafts, drafts create large flames, shortening the burning
time.
Heat votive candle in the old pan until melted. Use a votive that is the same color as
the pillar candle that is used.
Arrange flower petals on table to a suitable design for your candle unless you will be
placing them on the candle randomly. Take your small paint brush and dab a little
melted wax onto candle where you plan on placing first flower. Quickly place flower
on top of dap of wax. Do this with you whole design, making sure you get just a THIN
layer of wax on the top of the flower candle.
When finished with design, brush a THIN layer of melted wax over whole design.
Allow the candle to cool either at room temperature or in a refrigerator.
Layered Candles Instructions
Layered candles are very easy to make. Pour the first color and allow to cool
completely.
Pour the second color hot. It needs to be poured hot so that the candle won't have
repour lines.
Ice candles are easy to make. The idea is to by put ice into a mold layer by layer.
First the wick is covered with wax then ice is added. You can also use a candle as
your core base. The difference is that you will have a longer burning candle if you use
the core candle.
When you burn this type of candle it is very important to put a LARGE dish
underneath it.
To make your first candle you will need:-
Please make sure you have read the safety instructions before starting.
STEP 1
Calculate the amount of wax needed by filling the mold with water and measuring it. 3
weighed ounces of wax are needed for every 3 1/2 ounces of water.
STEP 2
2. Put the wax into the top of the double boiler and fill the bottom part approximately 1/3 full
of water. Heat on a medium setting on your stove top. If the water begins to boil rapidly,
reduce heat to a gentle boil to prevent water from splashing into the container.
STEP 3
Melt the wax to the correct temperature. For this particular candle you want to aim for 180°F.
Dip the thermometer into the wax to check the temp, but do not let the thermometer touch
the bottom of the pan or you will obtain a false reading.
STEP 4
Prime your wick. This is done by placing the required length of wick into the melted wax until
it starts to release bubbles. This means that it has absorbed sufficient wax. Carefully remove
it (not using your fingers - the wax is hot! I use an old knitting needle) and pull it tight then
place it to dry flat. The reason for doing this is so that the top of the wick (top of the candle) is
well waxed and will be easier to light. It also makes threading it through the wick hole in the
mold much simpler.
STEP 5
When the wick is hard (only takes a couple of minutes) insert it through the small hole at the
top of the mold and pull it through. Secure it around a pencil or wick support at the open end
and plug up the small hole with mold seal to prevent the wax from leaking out.
STEP 6
When you have reached the desired temperature, add your additives. For a basic candle you
will want 3TBS stearic acid and 1/2tsp vybar to 1lb wax, so if you have an 8oz mold, use
1.5TBS vybar and 1/4 tsp vybar. When the additives have completely dissolved, add your
colour. If you are using colour blocks, shave a small amount off, stir it in and add more if
required. It is easier to darken the colour than it is to take dye out!
STEP 7
Just before you get ready to pour the candle add the fragrance oil. The typical usage for a
strongly scented candle is 1 weighed ounce of scent to 1lb wax. Stir for at least two minutes,
but do not stir too vigorously or you will only put too much air into the wax.
STEP 8
If you are using a metal mold, preheat it before pouring the wax. This can either be done in a
low temp oven (seamless molds only) or the method I use is giving it a blast all over with my
blow torch / heat gun. Then use the pouring jug to pour into your mold.
STEP 9
Before the wax sets, tap the sides of the mould several times. This is done to release the
trapped air bubbles that will marr the surface of your finished candle.
STEP 10
10. When wax has set to a tacky consistency, poke small holes in the candle around the
wick. This will help to prevent great big air pockets inside the finished candle that can be a
fire hazard.
STEP 11
11. Leave to set for a few hours. You can place the candle in a water bath to cool quicker, but
if you do this, make sure that the water is deep enough to go all the way up the mold or you
will find a water line around your candle. Also ensure not to get any water in the setting wax.
STEP 12
Your candle will need a repour because wax retracts and shrinks as it cools. Melt your left
over wax if you have any, otherwise melt and colour some more and top up your mold.
You may want to level off the bottom of your candle to make it smooth and even. This is
easily done by heating the top part of your double boiler or your top saucepan and carefully
placing the candle in it. Move it around a few times so that the bottom is nice and even and
then carefully remove. Be careful of the steam from the boiling water as you can easily be
burned doing this.
Leave for at least one hour before lighting because I know you will be dying to test it out!!
You should really allow 48 hours before lighting, especially for scented candles as it allows
the candle to "cure" and the scent to bind in with the wax, but I will forgive you for being
impatient with your first!
AND
YOU CAN MAKE BY ADDING
Gel melts at approximately 180-200°F and has a flash point of 360°F. It melts
much slower than paraffin so you will need to melt it over a direct heat source
rather than in a double boiler, and you will need to watch it like a hawk. Never
leave melting gel wax unattended. Trust me on this one and don't ask how I
know!
You can purchase premade gel or you can make your own. For those new to
gel candle making, the pre-made gel is a much better option. See the links
page for suppliers of gel wax and under the resources section in the links
page you can find links to formulas to make your own gel.
Don't even attempt to melt gel wax in a double boiler as it will take forever! You must also be
careful not to get steam or water in the gel. The recommended method is an eletrical pot with
a temperature control such as a presto pot (Available in Walmart) The alternative method is
in a pan on direct heat. If you use this method it is essential to watch the gel closely as it
melts and keep an eye on the temperature. If it gets too hot and begins to smoke it has the
possibility of bursting into flames.
A good temperature to work with for adding colour is between 215°F, then cool to around
203-210°F for pouring. Add the scent just before you pour the gel and stir it in well. Do not
allow the temperature to exceed 230°F - the gel will not burn, but it has the possibility of
igniting if you heat to extreme temperatures.
Melt the gel, then add your colour and scent. It is entirely up to you whether you do all of this
in your melter or in a pouring pot. A pouring pot can be anything from a glass jug, plastic jug
or old coffee can. I recommend using a clear jug as you can see exactly the colour that you
are achieving as you add your dye.
Pour the gel carefully into the container and leave approximately 1/2" at the top to protect the
flame from drafts. The hotter the pour, the fewer bubbles your candle will have.
Any gel left in the pan can be peeled off and re-used ... there is no waste!!
MINIMISING BUBBLES
• When you pour the gel, pour it as hot as you can safely do so (210°F) and pour
it carefully. Don't try to be hasty as you will create air bubbles as you pour.
• Heat your glassware for a couple of minutes in a 175°F oven immediately before
pouring.
• If you are embedding things like glass miniatures or shells, make sure they are
clean and dry, and dip them into gel before placing them in the glass. Shells
have tiny crevices where the air can get trapped and result in air bubbles.
• Don't stir the gel with a wooden spoon. Aside from the risk of wood splinters in
your candle, it will also create more bubbles.
Embedding in gel
One of the aspects that makes gel candles so stunningly appealing is the ability to embed
objects into the candle that are visible through the transparent gel. From glass, to wax, to
ceramic and plaster; embedded items can increase not only the attractiveness of your
candle, but also it's perceived value. The most important thing to remember is to only embed
items that are non flammable - plastic, wood, resin and fabric etc are all extremely flammable
and should not be used.
Another important thing to remember is to place your embedded items right up against the
edge of the glass. This not only gives your items better visibility, but keeping them away from
the wick will mean your candle will be safer and burn for longer.
If you are embedding wax, my recommendation is to pour the gel first and then embed the
wax items. This gives you the least chance of the embeds melting. Make sure the wax
embeds are clean and do not have any wick. Coat them with warm gel before placing into the
candle right up against the edge of the glass. This will help to prevent air pockets.
Because gel wax burns between 4-6 times slower than paraffin wax, all the rules
you have learned about selecting a wick size now change when you are talking
about gel candles!!!
Confused??
Let me try to explain. For example, you make a paraffin container candle that is
approximately 4" in diameter. A quick referral to the wicks page will tell you that a
cored 51-32-18 wick is suitable for use in 3" to 4" diameter containers. BUT if we
were to make a gel candle in that same container using the same wick, we would
find it leaves excess gel at the sides of the container because the gel burns that
much slower. The general rule of thumb is to go up a wick size, so refer back to
the wicks page and we see that the cored 60-44-18 is the next size up and a
suitable wick for the gel container.
Cotton and paper core wicks are not recommended because they do not have the
rigidity of zinc cored wicks. You want your wick to stand up and stay central during
the making and burning of the candle. My wick of choice would be a pre-tabbed
zinc core wick. The tabs are excellent to centre your wick and the neck of the wick
tab ensures that the customer cannot burn all the way down to the very base of
the glass. This is a great safety feature.
To secure the wick to the base of the glass, use a little hot glue. Many people dip
the base in gel to secure it to the glass, but this can still mean the wick will slide
about as the candle burns down.
When you have the candle finished and ready, trim the wick down to a tiny little
stump. You really do not need a large wick and excess wick will cause the gel to
smoke terribly.
Trim your gel wick after it has burned by turning the *cooled* candle upside down
and trimming with a pair of baby scissors or toenail clippers. This will prevent wick
debris from getting into the sticky warm gel.
Because gel wax burns between 4-6 times slower than paraffin wax, all the rules
you have learned about selecting a wick size now change when you are talking
about gel candles!!!
Confused??
Let me try to explain. For example, you make a paraffin container candle that is
approximately 4" in diameter. A quick referral to the wicks page will tell you that a
cored 51-32-18 wick is suitable for use in 3" to 4" diameter containers. BUT if we
were to make a gel candle in that same container using the same wick, we would
find it leaves excess gel at the sides of the container because the gel burns that
much slower. The general rule of thumb is to go up a wick size, so refer back to
the wicks page and we see that the cored 60-44-18 is the next size up and a
suitable wick for the gel container.
Cotton and paper core wicks are not recommended because they do not have the
rigidity of zinc cored wicks. You want your wick to stand up and stay central during
the making and burning of the candle. My wick of choice would be a pre-tabbed
zinc core wick. The tabs are excellent to centre your wick and the neck of the wick
tab ensures that the customer cannot burn all the way down to the very base of
the glass. This is a great safety feature.
To secure the wick to the base of the glass, use a little hot glue. Many people dip
the base in gel to secure it to the glass, but this can still mean the wick will slide
about as the candle burns down.
When you have the candle finished and ready, trim the wick down to a tiny little
stump. You really do not need a large wick and excess wick will cause the gel to
smoke terribly.
Trim your gel wick after it has burned by turning the *cooled* candle upside down
and trimming with a pair of baby scissors or toenail clippers. This will prevent wick
debris from getting into the sticky warm gel.
Colouring gel candles
The dyes I have found to work best with gel candles are liquid dyes. Some gel
candlemakers claim success using colour blocks but I found they did not mix in
well with the gel, caused clumps in the candle and clouded the gel.
Most suppliers will stock liquid dyes and they are very easy to use. The amount of
drops you add will depend on the look you are trying to achieve with the gel. My
experience is that I have needed less than a quarter of a drop to colour a 1lb
batch of gel wax. I achieve this by using a toothpick in the dye bottle and swirling
it into the gel. It is much easier to add extra colour if it is too pale, but if you add
too much colour you will need to add extra clear gel to dilute it.
I have found paler colours work much better with gel wax and allow the beautiful
bubbles to show through.
All good suppliers will list whether their fragrances are suitable for gel
candlemaking. If they do not have a flashpoint or compatibility indication next to
the fragrance oil then I would not recommend buying from them if you plan to use
the fragrances in gel. To be safe to use in gel wax, a fragrance oil needs to have a
flashpoint of 170°F or higher and when there are problems with gel candles, the
usual culprit is the fragrance oil. For a list of the recommended amount of scent to
use in gel candles, please see the main gel page.
If you want to test whether the fragrance will cloud your gel, you can do the
"mineral oil test" which involves adding a little scent to a small amount of mineral
oil. Shake or mix it up and leave to stand. If the mineral oil stays clear then your
gel should stay clear. This is because mineral oil is one of the major ingredients in
gel wax.
As with paraffin candles, add your scent just before you are ready to pour the
candle and make sure it is well mixed in so you do not have pools of fragrance oil
in the finished candle that could cause it to ignite.
Candle Additives
Stearic Acid
Stearic acid, or stearine, is an animal fat byproduct, but you can find a vegetable
(palm oil based) substitute available. It acts as a hardener for low melt point
waxes, and lowers the melt point of higher temperature waxes. Over-use will
cause the candle to mottle. Recommended amount is 3 TBSP per lb of wax and it
can be used in any amount from 1% to 100%.
Vybar
There are two types of vybar:- vybar 103 which is used for wax with a melt point
of 131 or higher, and vybar 260 which is used for wax with a melt point of 130 and
lower. Vybar will harden the wax, impart a creamy texture to the wax and help
with scent throw. It also helps to combine the scent and the wax to give a better
scent throw and reduces mottling and tiny air bubbles. Adding too much vybar can
bind the fragrance, giving a poor or non existant scent throw. Recommended
amount is between ½ tsp. to 1 tsp. per pound of wax.
Luster crystals
A manmade wax polymer. Your colours will come out brighter, your candle will
burn longer, and the wax will be opaque. Great for making white candles.
Clear Crystals
Clear crystals are another polymer that hardens the wax like luster crystals but
makes the wax more transparent for a glowing effect
Plastic additives
These additives are used to give a transparent effect to hurricane and embedded
candles whilst hardening the wax due to their high melt point. Plastic additives
require heating over a direct heat source before adding to the correct temperature
wax.
Microcrystaline wax
There are many grades of microcrystaline wax that are used for different
purposes. One grade can be used as a hardener and another grade can be
added to container candles to soften the wax and help reduce wet spots.
Microcrystaline soft is also used for hand molding candles.
UV inhibitor
You will need to add UV inhibitor if your candles will be displayed in a sunny
window or if you plan to do outdoor craft shows. Purple is the biggest culprit for
fading under UV light followed by red. UV inhibitor will only help to protect the
candle; it cannot guarantee that they will not fade eventually. Recommended use
1/8 tsp to 1lb wax.
Mineral oil
Add approx 2-3 TBSP mineral oil to 1lb wax if you wish to achieve the mottled
look.
Wicks explained!
A source for an endless battle for many weary candlemakers ... which wick do I
use???? Answer = the only way to know for definite is to test, test, test! What
works for one person may not necessarily work for you. Below are some
guidelines.
Different wicks will give different results in your candles. You will notice
differences in the height of the flames, the size of the melt pool and the speed
with which the candle melts down (the burn time). The bigger the flame, the
bigger the melt pool and the quicker the candle will burn. You ultimately want to
opt for a wick that burns evenly, cleanly, has minimal mushrooming and maximum
burn time. The only way to be completely sure of this is to test.
If you are unsure about whether you have the right wick or not, read below.
Candle smoking - Wick is too big. When the wick is too large for the candle it
will try and consume more melted wax so it can burn better. This results in soot or
smoke.
Candle leaving a large portion of unmelted wax - The wick is probably too
small. When it is too small, it cannot burn right out to the edges of the candle
which causes it to tunnel down the middle. The candle will eventually fizzle out
where the wick drowns in the melt pool.
Single wicks are inexpensive and very light to post so it will cost you practically
nothing to test your wicks properly to be sure that you are getting the very best
burn possible for your candles.
Waxes
127mp wax Specifically for use in container candles due to it's soft
consistency and low melt point.It holds scent in until the candle is burned. No
additives are required.
128mp wax Specially blended for use as votive style candles and containers.
May require additives
130mp wax Primarily used votive style candles and containers. This wax
requires the use of additives.
139/140mp wax These two waxes are good general purpose waxes used to
make molded candles and hand dipped tapers. Both will require the use of
additives.
145mp wax It is a specially blended wax, which lends itself to carving and
shaping. It is also excellent as a molding wax. This wax may require additives
Wax Formulas
The following is a collection of other people's formulas for pillar, container and votive candles.
Feel free to use this as a guide for your own use, but as with anything in candlemaking,
always test, test, test first before making a batch of 50!
Formula:-
Formula:- 15 oz mobil 130 mp wax
130 MP wax 1/2 - 1 tsp vybar 260
1/4-1/2tsp vybar 1 oz microwax
1oz scent 1 oz scent.
Formula:- Formula:-
140 MP wax 130 mp wax
1 tsp universal vybar 1 TSP Vybar 260
1 oz scent 1oz scent
Formula:-
140 MP wax TEALIGHT CANDLES
1/4 TSP vybar
3 TBSPstearic Formula:-
1oz scent 140 mp wax
2 tsp Vybar 103
1oz scent
CONTAINER CANDLES
Formula:-
1lb preblended container wax
1oz scent
Formula:-
130 MP wax
1 oz micro wax
1/2 tsp vybar
1/2 tsp stearine