Candle Making: How To Make Candles
Expert candle maker Sue Spear shows you how to make a simple pillar candle with a mold
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Prepare the mold
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The width of the wick you need will depend on the diameter of the candle, so check with your supplier. Thread the wick through the small hole at the top of the mold and pull it through the length of the candle. Secure the wick around a pencil or the needle you used and plug the small hole with mold seal to prevent the wax leaking out.
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Step 3:
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Mix the ingredients
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Measure out the desired quantity of stearic acid. Acid should be combined with wax in the ratio 1:10, so you will need 20 grams of acid for 200 grams of wax. Boil some water and heat the acid in the top of your boiler or in a metal bowl over the saucepan. Add a few shavings of dye from the colour block and leave to dissolve. ALWAYS ENSURE YOU HEAT WAX OVER BOILING WATER RATHER THAN DIRECTLY ONTO A HEAT SOURCE.
Measure out the paraffin wax and add it to the dissolved acid.
Once this has dissolved, add a few drops of fragrance oil, depending on how heavily scented you would like your candle. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the wax is at 180 degrees before taking it off the heat.
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Step 4:
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Pour the wax
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Put a tray or newspaper under your mold to stop the wax dripping everywhere. Pour the liquid wax into a metal pouring jug and then slowly pour it into the mold.
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Step 5:
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Add extra wax
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When the wax has set to a tacky consistency, use a stick or pencil to poke small holes in the candle around the wick. This will prevent air pockets developing inside the candle.
As the candle sets, the middle will sink as it cools. So you will need to melt more wax and top up the candle to just below the original level of the candle. Repeat the process of pricking the wax and topping up the candle until the surface is flat.
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Step 6:
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Leave to set
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The candle will take a few hours to set, depending on it's size. When it is completely set, remove it from the mold by pulling the base of the wick. Trim both ends of the wick before lighting your candle.