Candle making allows for the creation of customized candles with preferred scents and designs. With some basic equipment and techniques, people can produce professional-level candles from home. The experts at Trecora say that the key is using quality ingredients and specialty synthetic wax for an even burn. Follow these crucial steps to unlock the secret to candle perfection.
Gather the Equipment
Candle making does not require much elaborate equipment. At its simplest, supplies include a heatproof pot, stove, spoon, jars or molds, wax, and wicks. A thermometer helps monitor wax temperatures for the best results. Dyes, scents, and other additives introduce more variety. As skills improve, experiment with more advanced molds and multiple wax types; order starter kits for convenience or assemble materials separately.
Choose the Wax
Wax gives form to candles so picking the right base matters greatly. Common options include paraffin, soy wax, beeswax and specialty synthetic wax; paraffin, a petroleum byproduct, offers affordability and easy melting. Soy wax comes from renewable crops, burns cleanly and holds fragrances well. Pure beeswax has a sweet scent from honey but becomes expensive for large projects. Specialty synthetic wax provides consistency and customization options, from colorless to vibrant dyes. The wax type affects many factors, from melting point to shine and burning time.
Prepare the Wick
The wick draws wax up while burning so matches the candle size or excess sooting can occur. Match skinny wicks for narrow containers and wider wicks for thicker candles. Cotton, wood, and paper make common wicks, but specialty options add perks like curbing drips or bending as the candle burns. Set wicks in molds before pouring wax to securely center them in the finished candles.
Melt the Wax Properly
Pouring wax at the right temperature prevents flaws like frosting or sinking. Heat wax slowly to the temperature guidelines for that type, generally 185‒200°F for paraffin, and use a thermometer for precision. Maintain melted wax at the peak temperature when adding color, scent and pouring to prevent rising and falling temps from ruining the batch.
Include Creative Touches
Stir in liquid or powder dyes until fully blended to tint the whole candle or create a marbled effect. Essential oils, infused herbs, and synthetic fragrances introduce limitless aroma options. Up to one ounce of scent oil per pound of wax is a safe ratio. For a crackled top, sprinkle on mica powder before the wax sets up. Embed objects by placing them and pouring wax over.
Pour and Cool
Pour wax steadily into each mold at the rim without drizzling to prevent air bubbles. Tap molds to release trapped air after filling. Insert pre-tabbed wicks into wax pools before drying or glue on top later. Cool candles until wax pulls away slightly from sides then move molds to room temperature area for best results. Carefully remove dried candles and trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before burning.
Cure Candles Before Use
Allow candles to cure two weeks after making to enhance burns. Curing gives the inner wax time to shrink so first burns reach full melt pools edge-to-edge. Skipping curing risks tunnels where wicks drown because wax around them stays wet from incomplete melts. Test burn candles one hour the first time to establish full melt pools able to sustain burns up to four hours.
Clean Up Properly
Cleaned equipment prevents dried wax buildup ruining pieces. Wash supplies in hot, soapy water, wiping up spills before drying. Use paper towels to absorb wax instead of pouring it down drains.
Conclusion
Following crucial steps from wax type to perfect pours allows makers to discover the joy of candle creation. Pay attention to details to unlock the secret to professional quality, long burning candles at home.