Whether for personal use or for giving candle gifts, hand dipped candles are as practical as they are beautiful. With the same basic method, create an endless variety of colors and candle scents combinations. Try making pastel candles in the Spring then use deep, rich colors in the Winter. Thanksgiving tapers are nice when scented with pumpkin spice, while Summer candles often smell like fresh flowers.
Safety First
Wax is highly flammable and must be melted in a double boiler. Any other method of melting wax can result in fire and is dangerous. Candle making is a fun and rewarding activity as long as the wax is handled properly.
Kitchen supplies used for candle making must never be used for anything else, and should be kept separate from food utensils and appliances.
Never put candle making equipment in the dishwasher; the wax will clog. Never pour hot wax down a drain.
Candle Making Supplies and Equipment
- Wax pouring pot
- Old coffee cans
- Water pot
- Candy thermometer
- Wooden spoon
- Paraffin wax
- Wick
- Place to hang warm candles
- Candle color
- Candle scent
- Sharp knife
- Greaseproof paper (wax or baking parchment paper)
The Method
- Break up wax into pieces that fit into coffee cans or your wax pouring pot. Large blocks of wax can be placed in bags and broken with a hammer.
- Pour cold water into your large water pot. This is the bottom of your double boiler.
- Place the coffee cans or wax pouring pot into the water pot. Place the water pot onto your stove and turn on heat. Stir the wax gently as it melts.
- Bring the wax to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower or turn off the heat; continue to monitor the temperature of the wax. If it becomes too cool, your candles will turn out blotchy and lumpy.
Prime Wicks
- In order to make twelve inch hand-dipped taper candles, cut pieces of wick fourteen inches long. Always have an extra two inches of wick to hold.
- Hold the piece of wick in the middle, and dip both ends into the hot wax for one minute. Remove from wax, pull the bottoms gently to straighten the wick, and hang to cool. Prime at least a dozen wicks at a time.
Making Hand Dipped Candles
- Maintain the temperature of the wax at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Add any candle colors and candle scents now. Be conservative at first; experience will eventually teach the perfect amount to add. Too much color or scent can ruin a candle.
- Dip each set for three seconds, hang and let them cool for a couple of minutes. Continue this process until the candles are the desired thickness. Make six to twelve sets at a time and let some pairs cool while dipping others.
- It is fine to add more wax when the amount in the wax pouring pot gets low. Bring the temperature up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit before continuing to dip candles, and add a little more color and scent if necessary.
- When the candles are thick enough, raise the temperature of the wax to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Dip each set for three seconds, and hang to cool. This will result in a lovely, smooth and shiny finish.
Later, trim the bottom of the candles with a sharp knife.
Either allow the leftover wax to cool in the coffee cans or wax pouring pots, or pour the wax onto grease-proof paper store until next time.
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