Choosing Your Wax
When making your own candles, you have a range of different waxes to choose from. The most common type of wax used for candle making is paraffin ” it’s a petroleum by-product and it’s stored in flake form. Paraffin is an inexpensive wax that burns slowly and smoothly, resulting in a long-lasting candle with an even flame.
For those looking for something more natural, soy wax can be used as well. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and it has become popular because of its natural ingredient makeup and low cost. Soy wax has excellent aroma retention, which makes it great for making scented candles. These candles also burn cleaner than paraffin candles, making them much safer for your home.
For vegans and those wanting the best quality possible, beeswax is the way to go. This natural wax is produced by honeybees and is quite expensive compared to other types of waxes on the market ” but the high quality results are worth it! Beeswax candles produce very little smoke when they burn, they have a slow burning rate thanks to their hard texture, they give off a sweet honey scent while burning, they look elegant no matter what shape or color you make them in, and beeswax is not known to cause any allergies at all.
No matter which type of wax you decide to use for your candle making project, melting it correctly so that you can pour it into molds or containers properly is key for achieving the desired result. To melt any type of wax suitable for candle making ” paraffin, soy or beeswax ” you will need either a double boiler system or electric melting pot specifically designed for the task. You can purchase these from craft stores or online retailers easily enough!
Flavoring Wax
Using essential oils or natural flower extracts to add flavor to wax when making candles is a relatively simple but extremely important practice. If you’re looking for a certain aroma in your candle, essential oils and natural flower extracts provide the most natural way of infusing the desired scent into your candle. Depending on how strong you would like the fragrance to be, you can use either a few drops of the oil or flower extract, or an entire dropper full. When combining essential oils with wax, start off with about 1 teaspoon for every pound of wax. However, this ratio should ultimately be based on personal preference.
To begin flavoring your wax, start by heating it up in a double boiler until it reaches its melting point. Once melted, remove it from heat and let cool slightly before adding in the essential oils or flower extracts. Make sure not to get any water into the mix as this could cause the wax to seize and thicken prematurely, which won’t allow added scent to properly blend into the wax. Instead of stirring aggressively with a spoon or other utensil while the wax is still hot (which could introduce air bubbles and leave inconsistencies within your candle), stirring slowly in one direction is likely best. As soon as that all-important scent has been combined throughout the mixture, pour it into your chosen container for letting it cool/harden.
Storing Wax
When storing wax, it is important to create a dust and humidity free environment. Ensure that wax is always stored in an airtight container, preferably one with a lid or cover. Make sure the container is also waterproof and not flammable as hot wax can get up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Label containers with name of wax and date it was purchased so that you know when the wax should be thrown away if it has been stored for too long. It is a good practice to keep a record of what type and quantity of wax that has been used. Each type of wax should have its own separate storage space in order to avoid contamination from other types of waxes. It’s essential that when handling wax you wear protective gloves, safety glasses, and clothing that will protect your skin from any potential contact with the hot liquid.
Decorating
When using wax to make candles, you need to melt the wax in a double boiler or slow cooker until it reaches the correct temperature, then let it cool slightly. Once the wax has melted and cooled, you can now begin to add decorations to your candles however you please. Here are some tips on how to apply decorations on the finished wax pieces:
1. Wicks: You can place wicks by inserting them into the top of each candle. Make sure that the wick is succored firmly so that when lit, it stays in place and keeps a clean flame.
2. Embellishments: If you want your candles to have visual appeal, try adding various embellishments such as beads, glitter or dried flowers around the surface of the candle for an interesting texture and design.
3. Glazing: An easy way to bring out an extra sheen in your wax is by coating it with a thin layer of clear glaze after decorating it with other materials. Simply put a few drops of melted paraffin wax onto a piece of paper towel and wipe onto the finished candle using circular motions until you achieve desired results.
4. Painting & Stamping: Using liquid dyes or acrylic paints along with rubber stamps allows one to make personalized designs on their candles; experimenting with different colors and combinations delivers awesome visuals!. Additionally, one can try placing chunks of colored beeswax on top of melted white wax for a faster way ” yet elegant result!
Reusing Wax
Reusing wax from used candles is a great way to maximize resources and reduce waste. Here are some ideas for repurposing or reusing used wax:
1. Use it to make wax seals. Place spoonfuls of wax on top of your card or letter, then press the seal stamp down onto it to create a unique and ornate imprint.
2. Make a fire starter. Mix leftover candle wax with paper towels to create an easy-to-light firestarter that’s perfect for tending to a fireplace or campfire.
3. Create beeswax wraps. Cover a piece of muslin fabric in melted wax, using iron to help spread the heat evenly over the entire cloth, then allow it to cool before using as a replacement for plastic wrap in your kitchen.
4. Produce homemade crayons by mixing pieces of different color candles together with baking sheet liners after melting them all together at once .
5. Make scented balls for drawers and closets by combining old chunks of different-scented candle wax with essential oils until smooth; try rolling shards into balls with your hands, or place into moulds for more control over the shape of your scented ball creations!
Resources
To melt wax for making candles, you will need a double boiler system or a melting pot. You’ll also need a thermometer to ensure that your wax is at the recommended temperature (usually between 120°F-140°F). Have all ingredients and tools on hand before you begin.
Start by setting up your double boiler or melting pot. Fill the lower pan with two to three inches of water and keep it at a low simmer. Place your wax in the upper pot and let it slowly melt down. As it melts, use your thermometer periodically to check the temperature until it reaches the desired level.
Once the wax is completely melted, take extra precautionary measures when transferring it into your molds or containers of choice. Use proper safety equipment such as heat resistant gloves and an apron to protect yourself from splatter or spills from hot wax. Candles may also require additives along with dye pellets, scent oils, wick pins, and other ingredients to create different types of candles. Be sure to inform yourself about this process if you are creating any special types of candles.
For further instructions and guidance on how to melt wax for making candles, there are some books available specifically written with this topic in mind such as “Making Your Own Candles: Step-by-Step Instructions” by Charles W Myrick Jr. Other useful readings include websites such as ‘HowToMakeCandles’ and ‘Candle Science’ which provide comprehensive advice related to all aspects of candle making from safety tips to creative ideas for decorations and blending scents together for custom made aromas . There are also specialized forums dedicated solely for discussing candle making issues where hobbyists post updates about their projects along with helpful tips shared by experienced makers such as “Candle Making Forum” or “My Candle Making” that can be another valuable resource for tackling complex problems in candle production.
Glossary
Melt Point: The temperature at which wax transitions from a solid to a liquid. Different types of wax have different melt points, so it’s important to look up the melting point for the type being used beforehand. Using too high of a temperature may result in scorching the wax.
Double Boiler Method: The double boiler method involves using two vessels, one that fits inside another with a small gap that allows steam produced by boiling water to heat the upper vessel. This prevents direct contact between the heat source and the wax, allowing for more control of time and temperature when melting.
Direct Heat Method: This method uses directheat from a stove or hot plate to warm and liquefy wax, while stirring constantly to ensure all particles are melted evenly, preventing burning or discoloration of the product. This type of melting is faster than the double boiler method but requires constant tending due to the direct exposure of heat over an open flame or hot surface.
Pouring Pot/Melting Container: This is an instrument specifically made for slow and even melting of wax that can be heated either directly or indirectly via its silicone sleeve that wraps around it or can be heated in a pan filled with hot water. It is ideal for large batches as it does not require frequent stirring like other heating methods.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
