Candle making is an ancient task that started as a convenient way to transport fire and light in the darkness. The art of candle making continues to evolve, and many modern-day candles are such intricate and gorgeous works that the owners put them on display and never burn them. Specific types of equipment are necessary to safely make beautiful candles.
History
The first candles were made with lard and suet. The fats were melted down and cords of fabric were dipped and saturated with the fat. Smelly and messy, they produced fire for light. Candles such as this were used by the Romans and Ancient Egyptians. Historians believe that the Ancient Egyptians also used beeswax in their candles.
Double Boiler
Wax is highly flammable, and must be melted in a double boiler. A double boiler is, essentially, two pots instead of one. One pot is designed to sit in the larger pot. To use, pour water into the bottom pot until it is about half-full, then place the smaller pot on top. The wax goes into this top pot, and will melt as the water in the bottom pot boils.
Purchasing a double boiler is a viable option, but candle makers often craft makeshift double boilers to melt wax. Old coffee cans are great containers to hold and melt wax; just place the coffee can in a large pot with water, and place the wax in the coffee can. This is a good method if you want to melt different colored waxes at the same time, because more than one coffee can will fit into a large pot. Stores that sell candle making supplies offer professional wax pouring pots. These are good quality tall containers, that can safely be placed in a large pot of water. Wax pouring pots have heat-resistant handles and a pour spout. Wax can be melted in them and poured directly into a mold.
Waxes and Wicks
There are many different types of waxes, and they all have different "melt points." A melt point is the temperature at which the wax melts. Beeswax has a high temperature melt point. This is why beeswax candles usually last longer than others. Pure beeswax, however, is quite sticky and difficult with which to work.
Paraffin wax is the most common and popular candle making wax. Paraffin wax is versatile, it can be colored, scented, and is available with different melt points. Stearin is an additive melted in with the paraffin to make the wax harder and raise its melt point.
There are also a variety of wicks available, each with different benefits and purposes. Dipping candles and many molded candles have a basic, braided fabric wick. Some wicks are flat and others are round; the bigger and rounder wicks work best in larger candles made or candles made with high melt point waxes.
Votives and small candles use a wick that is braided and wrapped around a firm piece of zinc. This enables the wick to stand up even when wet with hot wax. When using wicks with zinc, one often needs a wick clip, as well. A wick clip is a small piece of metal with a hole in the bottom. The zinc wick is threaded through the hole, the wick clip is put in the bottom of the votive mold, and the wick will stand up strait when the hot wax is poured into the mold.
Fancy Candle Ingredients
Scents and colors make candles special and interesting. The important thing is to use scents and colors that are specifically made for use in candles. Some dyes and scents are flammable.
Candle scents and candle dyes are available in craft supply stores and anywhere that you can purchase candle making equipment. Candles can also be decorated after they cool. Dye or beeswax may be melted and painted onto a finished candle. Water-based acrylic paints are safe to use on candles, but should be used for details and not to paint the entire candle. Some candle supply and craft shops sell stickers made out of wax that can be affixed to finished candles.
Candle Molds
Candle molds are made of metal, plastic, or rubber. Votive and floater cups are usually metal. Many candles are made with two-piece plastic molds. The two halves are clipped together and the hot wax is poured in. When cool, the two sides are easy to separate. Rubber candle molds are one-piece molds. Because they are soft and flexible, they can be peeled off of the candle when the wax is cool.
History
The first candles were made with lard and suet. The fats were melted down and cords of fabric were dipped and saturated with the fat. Smelly and messy, they produced fire for light. Candles such as this were used by the Romans and Ancient Egyptians. Historians believe that the Ancient Egyptians also used beeswax in their candles.
Double Boiler
Wax is highly flammable, and must be melted in a double boiler. A double boiler is, essentially, two pots instead of one. One pot is designed to sit in the larger pot. To use, pour water into the bottom pot until it is about half-full, then place the smaller pot on top. The wax goes into this top pot, and will melt as the water in the bottom pot boils.
Purchasing a double boiler is a viable option, but candle makers often craft makeshift double boilers to melt wax. Old coffee cans are great containers to hold and melt wax; just place the coffee can in a large pot with water, and place the wax in the coffee can. This is a good method if you want to melt different colored waxes at the same time, because more than one coffee can will fit into a large pot. Stores that sell candle making supplies offer professional wax pouring pots. These are good quality tall containers, that can safely be placed in a large pot of water. Wax pouring pots have heat-resistant handles and a pour spout. Wax can be melted in them and poured directly into a mold.
Waxes and Wicks
There are many different types of waxes, and they all have different "melt points." A melt point is the temperature at which the wax melts. Beeswax has a high temperature melt point. This is why beeswax candles usually last longer than others. Pure beeswax, however, is quite sticky and difficult with which to work.
Paraffin wax is the most common and popular candle making wax. Paraffin wax is versatile, it can be colored, scented, and is available with different melt points. Stearin is an additive melted in with the paraffin to make the wax harder and raise its melt point.
There are also a variety of wicks available, each with different benefits and purposes. Dipping candles and many molded candles have a basic, braided fabric wick. Some wicks are flat and others are round; the bigger and rounder wicks work best in larger candles made or candles made with high melt point waxes.
Votives and small candles use a wick that is braided and wrapped around a firm piece of zinc. This enables the wick to stand up even when wet with hot wax. When using wicks with zinc, one often needs a wick clip, as well. A wick clip is a small piece of metal with a hole in the bottom. The zinc wick is threaded through the hole, the wick clip is put in the bottom of the votive mold, and the wick will stand up strait when the hot wax is poured into the mold.
Fancy Candle Ingredients
Scents and colors make candles special and interesting. The important thing is to use scents and colors that are specifically made for use in candles. Some dyes and scents are flammable.
Candle scents and candle dyes are available in craft supply stores and anywhere that you can purchase candle making equipment. Candles can also be decorated after they cool. Dye or beeswax may be melted and painted onto a finished candle. Water-based acrylic paints are safe to use on candles, but should be used for details and not to paint the entire candle. Some candle supply and craft shops sell stickers made out of wax that can be affixed to finished candles.
Candle Molds
Candle molds are made of metal, plastic, or rubber. Votive and floater cups are usually metal. Many candles are made with two-piece plastic molds. The two halves are clipped together and the hot wax is poured in. When cool, the two sides are easy to separate. Rubber candle molds are one-piece molds. Because they are soft and flexible, they can be peeled off of the candle when the wax is cool.
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