Making gel candles is a newer style of candle making and with their increasing popularity, there is greater demand for them in the market.  They burn similarly to a regular wax candle but there are differences in how to make gel candles compared with how to make other wax candles.

What is Gel Candle Wax?

Regular wax candles are made from various kinds of wax which are essentially derived from plant, animal or petroleum oil.  Gel candles are also made from oil but it is 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin.  The resin is a powder and when mixed with the mineral oil, transforms the union into a solid state of a particular density.  Gel wax comes in high, medium and low density states.

Because of the nature of the gel, it is very popular to use fragrances and also suspend decorations in the gel when making gel candles.  How much fragrance and decorations can be used depends on the density of the gel.  The higher the density, the thicker the gel and the greater the amount of fragrance and decoration it can suspend within it.  Remember though, the thicker the gel, the longer it takes to meld and the more difficult it is to pour.

How to Make Gel Candles

The steps to making gel wax candles are basically the same as regular wax candles: melt the wax, pour into the mold, allow to cool, remove from mold.  However, the equipment and techniques are different.

First, gel wax will not melt in a double boiler as used in most candle making.  It requires greater heat.  Many gel candle makers use multi-cookers, which are basically a type of metal deep fryer with a non-stick coating.

A word of warning though, gel wax can catch fire so be sure to have a chemical fire extinguisher handy, and although multi-cookers have a temperature dial, also use a thermometer so you can closely monitor the temperature.

Use a metal or hard plastic stirrer.  Avoid using wooden spoons as wood can sometimes add bubbles in the gel.  Of course this may be a desired effect in which case you may want to experiment with using a wooden utensil.

Gel Candle Coloring

Adding color to your gel wax candles is quite simple.  Use a liquid candle dye.  Do not use clothing dye, soap dye, food coloring or crayons as they are not designed for candles and will affect the way your candle burns. 

Be sure to use only a drop, it takes only a tiny amount to get the desired effect.  Remember you want to maintain the translucent effect which is one of the great appealing attributes of making gel candles.

Benefits of Making Gel Candles

Learning how to make gel candles is relatively simple and well worth the effort.  They have a unique appearance and texture.  One of the best features is their translucent appearance and ability to suspend objects and decorations which allows those making gel candles to personalize them so they can become creative and unique gifts.  Gel wax candles also burn slower than other wax candles so they do last longer.  All good reasons for learning how to make gel candles.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for making gel candles along with all the other kinds of candles that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide

Candle molds are of course one of the essential items needed for making candles and now with the huge popularity of candle making at home by hobbyists of all kinds, it’s no surprise that the variety of different candle making molds available is almost endless.

What are Molds for Candles?

Molds for Candles are simply the containers used for pouring melted wax into so they will cool and form a candle in the shape of the mold.  Candle making molds can be bought or made from a number of materials and in almost any shape and size.

Aluminium Candle Molds

Aluminium molds are a very popular mold used by candle makers.  They are popular because they have some great qualities:

• They are very durable and heat resistant
• They leave a very nice smooth finish and no seam in the candles finish
• Give the appearance of a professionally made candle
• Very popular for making pillar and votive style candles
• Inexpensive compared with rubber molds
• Easy to clean – just turn mold upside down in your oven and heat to 150 degrees.  Place a baking sheet under the mold and the wax will run onto the baking sheet and can then be discarded.

There are a couple of down sides to aluminium candle molds though:

• They are not flexible, so you are limited in the shape and texture you can give to the candle
• You will need to use a releasing agent in order to get the candle out from the mold

Rubber Candle Molds

There are a few types of rubber molds for candles, like polyurethane, latex and silicone.  Unlike aluminium, they are of course all very flexible, but still have their pros and cons.

Polyurethane Candle Molds

• Flexible but don’t stretch well
• Cheaper than silicone molds
• Popular for pillar and taper candles
• Have a strong odor which may pass into the candle wax
• Need to use a releasing agent to get the candle out from it

Latex Candle Molds

• Excellent and very popular for creating your own molds using liquid latex
• Losing popularity now with improvements being made in other types of rubber molds

Silicone Candle Molds

• Flexible and stretchable
• Easy to remove candles so no releasing agent is required
• Leaves no parting lines on the candles surface
• The most expensive of the rubber molds due to its excellent qualities

Plastic Candle Molds

Plastic molds are the cheapest but not usually the best choice.  They are brittle and don’t last as long as other types of molds for candles.  

Plastic molds are easy to clean as well, just use warm soapy water.  Be careful that they are completely dry before re-using though or you will end up with water bubbles in your candles.

They are good for beginners but once you gain some expertise and want to go to the next level you will be wanting to use better alternatives for your candle molds.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for candle making molds along with how to make all of those amazing candles that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide

Making soy candles is a far more common practice now than it was years ago.  Petroleum based paraffin wax was used in almost all candle making years ago but now there are natural alternatives which many people find more appealing.  So although soy wax is a little more expensive, many see it as a preferable choice and are looking to learn how to make soy candles. 

What’s Different About Making Soy Candles?

Well of course the major difference is in the wax itself.  Soy wax is a plant based wax derived from soybeans oil which is extracted from soybean flakes and then hydrogenated.  Most of the world’s soybeans come from Iowa, Illinois and Indiana in the United States.

One of the things that some people like about soy candles is that they ‘burn cleaner.’  They still emit soot, all candles do and this can’t be avoided, but while paraffin candles release black soot, soy candles release white soot.  Either way the soot is not harmful to people, but soy candle soot is cleaner. 

Soy is also a softer wax than paraffin and therefore it is not as suitable for certain types of candles, more on that a little later.

How to Make Soy Candles

The method for making soy candles is essentially the same as with paraffin candles.  You need your wax, a mold, a wick and heating apparatus.  The heating apparatus used is a double-boiler which is when you place a large pot of water on the stove, and a small pot containing the wax into the large pot.  If you placed the wax into a pot and directly onto the heat source, the wax would be highly likely to burn.

• Place the unmelted soy wax into the small pot, which in turn goes into the big pot of water on the stove
• Heat to approximately 150-180 degrees.  Don’t allow the melted wax to remain over 150 degrees for long though or it may burn and cause the wax to turn yellow.
• When the soy wax is all melted, remove from the heat and mix in any coloring or oil based fragrance that you wish.  Be very sparing, very small amounts are all that is needed.  For the fragrance oil, a good rule of thumb is one ounce of fragrance for every one pound of wax.
• Have the wick secured in position and pour the wax into your mold.  The pouring temperature should be around 95-110 degrees.  If it has cooled too much it may crack.
• Leave it alone to cool for 4-6 hours

As I said earlier, soy wax is softer than paraffin and so is not ideal for certain types of candles.  Soy wax should not be used for pillar, taper, or some novelty candles.  If you are using soy wax to create floating candles they should be up to 3 inches in diameter.

Weather you are making soy candles for business, for gifts, or for personal use, they are well worth experimenting with and the demand for them is constantly growing.  There are only subtle differences between working with soy and working with paraffin so if you are an experienced candle maker you should have no difficulty making soy candles.  If you are yet to make your first candle creation you might as well learn how to make soy candles as a fitting introduction to this increasingly popular hobby.  A little guidance, a little practice and a little experimentation and you are on the path to becoming an expert candle maker.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for making soy candles along with all the other kinds of candles that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide

The growth in popularity that candle making has seen in recent years has had a very favourable flow on effect.  Suppliers have increased and improved their range of tools and materials needed for the hobby and since candle making wax is the main component of making wax candles, it is now better and more accessible and with greater variety than ever before. 

Paraffin Candle Making Wax

This is the type of candle wax used for most candles.  It is refined from petroleum, is inexpensive and readily available.

Vegetable / Plant Based Candle Making Wax

Today we have some very popular plant based candle wax alternatives.  They are refined from plant or vegetable materials like palm, soy, or bayberry. 

Soy based wax is becoming particularly popular.  Soy candle wax is processed from hydrogenated soybeans.  Soy candle wax is an eco-friendly and renewable resource. Most of the soybeans used are grown primarily in Iowa, Indiana and Illinois in the United States.

Palm based candle wax is also a natural and renewable resource, but has an environmental downside to it.  With the growing popularity of palm wax and other palm products, countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have been clearing substantial areas of rainforest for the growth of their palm plantations.  This has a devastating effect on ecosystems and populations of endangered species including the Rhinoceros, Orang-utan and Sumatran tiger.  Fortunately the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has founded the organization RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) to define and develop the best practices for the sustainable cultivation of palm plantations.  So please, when you shop for palm candle wax, try to ensure that it is from an eco-friendly source.

Animal Based Candle Making Wax

Another excellent choice and also growing rapidly in popularity is beeswax.  You have the choice of white or yellow beeswax and although it can be quite expensive, beeswax is well loved for its hardiness, its burning characteristics and it’s very pleasant fragrance. 

Gel Candle Making Wax

Gel candles are a newer type of candles and also very popular.  Gel wax has a clear and rubbery consistency and comes in a choice of 3 densities.  The gel density needed for a candle making project depends on how much fragrance you intend using in the candle.

If you are making gel candles with a 0-3% fragrance load, you should use low density gel wax.  If you are planning a 3-5% fragrance load then use medium density.  And high density gel wax should be used for heavier fragrance loads.

The modern candle maker has many choices of candle making wax available to them.  While some candle makers have a favourite and stick to it, I personally suggest experimenting with all of them.  It may take some time to learn how to work with the different characters and qualities of the various types of candle wax, but once you do you will not only expand the range of candles you can create, but also the enjoyment you get in creating them.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for candle making wax along with how to make all of those amazing candles that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide

Making scented candles is a very rewarding pastime.  There’s no denying that candles add a real warmth and charm to a room, but scented candles go an extra step and bring a sense of elegance and even romance.  No wonder that so many people are wanting to learn how to make scented candles. 

What Kind of Fragrance?

Well of course the fragrance is a very personal thing and the choice is vast.  What is important though is that you choose an oil based fragrance rather than water or alcohol based when you make scented candles.  This is simply because candles are made up predominantly of oil so a fragrant oil will mix well with the candle wax.  If you remember your chemistry, oil and water do not mix, so using a water based fragrance will result in the liquid separating from the wax.  The fragrant oils are of course readily available in most craft stores or online.

Benefits of Making Scented Candles

One of the great things when you make scented candles is that the aroma can be noticed even when the candles are not being used.  Just having them around the home will create an inviting and pleasant environment.

They also make perfect gifts and are so appreciated when they are made by your own hands.  If making scented candles as a gift, you also have the opportunity to personalize them with color, fragrance and presentation tailored uniquely for the recipient.

How to Make Scented Candles

First choose the wax you would like to use.  The choices today are numerous.  You can use paraffin wax which is most commonly used, or you can try a natural alternative like beeswax, soy or palm wax. 

Personally I don’t recommend palm wax, not because it’s difficult to with it, but because there are some environmental issues connected with palm oil products, so I choose not to use it.

There is also gel wax although the equipment and techniques needed are slightly different.  Greater temperature control is needed, and with gel wax you need to consider the density of the gel as the more fragrance you intend to use, the denser the gel needs to be.  For the purposes of this article I’ll take it that you are going to make scented candles with paraffin, beeswax or soy wax.

 Ok, next is heating the wax.  We use a “double-boiler.”  This is when we have a big pot of water on the stove, and we take a smaller pot with our unmelted wax in it, and we place the small pot into the big pot.  The layer of water in between the small pot and the heat source is to help prevent the wax from burning which can easily happen without the double-boiler.  Heat the wax to around 170-180 degrees.

When the wax has melted it’s time to add the fragrance oil.  Remove the small pot from the heat and add one ounce of fragrance oil for every one pound of wax.  This will result in a 6% concentration.

Don’t add too much fragrance oil!  More is not better!   Adding lots of fragrant oil is not necessary to create a beautiful scent; in fact it could be over kill!  Also, you may end up with pools of liquid within the candle.

Now is also the time to blend in any colors.  Use a liquid candle dye and again be sparing.  You don’t need much to create a great effect.

Pour the wax into your mold while securing the wick in the centre.  Now let it stand and cool for 4-6 hours and remove from the mold.  Depending on the mold you use you may need a releasing agent to separate the candle after cooling.

If making scented candles becomes a habit for you (and I hope it does), you can experiment with blending different fragrances and colors to come up with some favourite ‘recipes’.  Learn how to make scented candles and you can become a ‘master chef’ of candle making.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for making scented candles along with all of the other amazing candles that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide

There’s nothing new about candle making, people having been doing it for thousands of years.  But while it was once a common skill and a necessity for light to see at night, it is now somewhat of a ‘lost art’, although it is now gaining new popularity with craftspeople and other hobbyists.

Reasons For Making Candles

People are now making candles for many reasons.  They make candles:

• for their own practical use
• as a pastime to enjoy with their partner or older children
• as a hobby to unleash their creativity
• to create personalized gifts
• or even to start a new business by selling their wax creations

Candle making hobbyists find it extremely rewarding to make candles for themselves or to give as gifts or as creations to sell.  And starting is easy, many local craft stores will supply most if not all the items needed like molds, wax and wicks.  And as making candles continues to grow in popularity stores are expanding their range to include colors, fragrances and decorations.

Home Made Candles – How to Make Candles At Home

Get your double boiler ready.  What is a double boiler you ask?  Simply a large pot partially filled with water, with a smaller pot containing the un-melted wax which is then placed in the larger pot.  Having the layer of water in between the smaller pot and the heat source helps to prevent the wax from burning.

When the wax is melted and ready for pouring, hold the wick in place in the centre of your mold and carefully pour the wax in.

Next, go do something else!  Let the wax cool for 4 to 6 hours before removing the candle from the mold.  To make it easier to remove from the mold you can spray non-stick cooking spray right into the mold prior to pouring the wax.

Candle Making Molds

One of the best things about making home made candles is that the variety of styles, shapes, sizes and colors of the candles you can make is only limited by your imagination.  Many candle makers after achieving a certain amount of expertise go on to create their own molds so they truly have no limit to what they can create.

Of course you can use a vast range of jars, tins and containers of all sorts and other hard molds, but eventually some home candle makers like to go the extra mile and create their own latex molds where the sky is the limit.

One problem with latex molds though is that the mold is too flexible to support the weight of the wax without distorting its shape.  So all latex molds need a lip where a hard piece of cardboard or other device can be used to create a frame as a support structure, holding the latex mold up by its lip.

Selling Your Candle Creations

For those candle makers with an entrepreneurial flair, selling candle creations can also be a lucrative business.  You can save by buying all your supplies in bulk, and then by making beautiful or very unique and interesting candles and packaging them attractively, they can be sold at markets, in craft and gift shops, or online with an internet business.  Again, the sky is the limit!

While candle making is certainly an old art and even an old custom, there is no limit to the new ideas that can be applied to making candles at home.

Want to see the most complete guide available online for making home made candles, the kinds that everyone would love to make and have?  All the secrets, tips, tricks and techniques you need to make candles just like the experts from your own home are waiting for you right here in the Ultimate Candle Making Guide