I tried a fun new thing this month! I turned some of my ceramic vessels into candles. Here is a little step by step post about my process. Before I could start I had to do some research about candle making and the materials I would need to do my own soy candle wax pouring.
Starting off Small
I started off by purchasing a candle making kit. This included tools that I would need to melt the wax, the wax itself along with fragrances, wicks and containers to pour the wax into. I decided to start with a kit so I could try out the process without having to commit to a large wholesale amount of wax, but I would still have all the tools I need to make candles going forward. I purchased a kit with well made tools, knowing that if my experiment went well, I would ultimately be using them again for several candle batches to come.
Researching the Process
My new candle making kit came with step by step instructions, but I wanted to learn about the process in more detail so I looked up candle making videos on YouTube. Each maker had their own unique perspective on the candle making process and this research really helped me to shape my own process.
Setting Up
When I am getting ready to make candles, I ensure that I have clear area to work. I start by covering my table with brown paper to protect the surface for any stray wax that may spill. I have a small electric burner that I have opted to use in my studio, rather that heating the wax on my stove in the kitchen.
Then I lay out the containers I plan to pour wax into. I like to give them plenty of room, crowding the containers together makes pouring accurately more difficult and can end in a hot waxy mess. I add a wick to each container, ensuring that wicks size is adequate for the diameter of the container. Smaller candles get thiner wicks and larger candles get thicker wicks. I stand the wicks up carefully with a wick holder to keep them upright. This can also be done with a clothes pin.
I also prepare the wax by measuring out the correct amount into my wax pitcher. 12 ounces of wax is a good amount for this pitcher, it also simplifies my math later when I add the fragrance. I use a scale to measure the wax. I set the empty pitcher on top of the scale and use the tare button to register the weight of the pitcher to zero, then its easy to add the wax till I hit 12oz.
Heat the Wax
I use a double boiler system to heat my soy candle wax. I have a large pot that I fill halfway with water and then place the wax pitcher inside hooking the handle on the edge of the pot. Then turn the burner on to medium-high and allow the wax pitcher to sit in the water as it heats up.
As the wax begins to melt I attach a thermometer to the edge of the pitcher. Ensuring that the tip of the thermometer does touch the bottom of the pitcher (this can drastically skew your temperature reading). I heat the wax to about 190°F, then I remove it from the pitcher and set it on a heat resident surface.
Adding the Fragrance
As the wax cools down to 185°F, I add 1oz of my fragrance to the 12oz. of melted wax. It is important to thoroughly incorporate the fragrance into the wax by stirring, however stirring the wax vigorously enough to produce bubble can lead to problems down the line. It is better to stir slowly for about two minutes.
Pouring the Candles
Allow the wax to continue cooling down to 135°F. Pouring the wax carefully is the most challenging part of the process. Some things to avoid; pouring the wax directly on to the wick, pouring down the edge of the container, and overflowing the container. I usually leave about 1/4” of space at the top of the container.
After the wax has been poured it is important to make sure there is no residual bubbles inside the candle. I carefully tap the side of my candle containers to encourage air bubble to release through the top of the container.
Cool It
Before stepping away from my candles and allow them time to cure, I always double check the wicks to make sure that they are still standing upright. I give my candles 48 hours to cure before moving on to the next step.
Cleaning and Trimming
My last steps include tricks for cleaning the candles up in preparation for selling them. I like to go over each candle with a heat gun. This melts the very top layer of the candle and helps to smooth out any irregularities. I also use the head gun on the side of the containers to melt any wax that may have spilled. I sop up the melted wax with a coffee filter (which absorbs wax well and does not leave behind any lint) I recommend cleaning the outside first and the smoothing out the top layer of the candle so that the newly melted top layer can cool on a level surface.
I trim my wicks to poke out about 1/16 inch above the lip of the container. This makes it easier for the user to light the candle and it looks nice too!
Supplies
I purchased my first candle making kit online. I looked carefully at the quality of the tools that the kit provided and decided on a kit from Scandinavian Candle Co. After my initial success I decided it was time to purchase larger quantities of materials and found a wholesale supplier called Candle Science. I like their soy candle wax, they have a great selection of fragrances and their website had a clear and concise explanation about wicks sizes. The only hang up was a supply issue with their wicks, something a lot of industries are experiencing post pandemic.
Making my own candles was a lot of fun and gave me a whole new product line to try out. If you decide to give it a try yourself, I wish you good luck and suggest reading through directions twice. Happy candle making!
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