Press "Enter" to skip to content

How to Make Gel Candles at Home 11 Steps Tutorial

Glass is the finest container for a gel candle since it allows people to see the embeds you place within, but any non-flammable container would suffice. You can use any glass, such as a wine glass or a tiny broad vase, as long as it is at least 2 inches in diameter.

Pour slowly so that the wax does not spill over, and leave about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of space at the top of the container. Make sure not to knock the wick out of the mold accidentally. Set up the pot over a heat source, such as a hot plate or electric stove. Add your color and fragrance to the melted wax in the pot, if desired. Melt the crayons and candle wax over medium heat, stirring often.

FAQ about How to Make Handmade Scented Candles

If you do not want to buy a melting pot you can use a microwave safe container such as a Pyrex measuring cup in a double boiler system or in the microwave. If you are making your own homemade candles and not selling them you may be fine using a 2lb melting pot. However, if you want to make larger batches you might consider buying a few 4lb melting pots or a presto pot designed for melting wax. Before adding an essential oil to your candle, make sure you double-check that the oil in question is safe to be used in candle-making. Beeswax is all natural and has air purifying qualities to it; however, it doesn’t retain scent or coloring that well.

Want to make more candles? Try these projects next!

However, if the wick is too large, the flame will be very hot which can evaporate the aroma molecules directly, instead of releasing them into the air. Calculate the proper amount of fragrance you’ll need corresponding to the wax volumes. It will determine the scent throw (how strong scent you’ll get) of your handmade candles. Generally, approximately 1oz fragrance oil per pound wax will smell good. A mold or a jar is necessary when gathering materials for making beeswax candles because it’ll serve as the container you’ll pour your melted wax into. If you constantly have a scented candle burning, you may also be burning a hole in your pocket keeping your candle inventory stocked. Save some money and try making candles with your favorite essential oils instead of buying them at the store.

If you’re using a jar or similar container, use a wick sticker to secure the wick tab to the bottom of the vessel. For more information about calulating the amount of fragrance oil you need, check out our FAQ. When making homemade candles, you’ll need access to a flat surface like a counter or tabletop. It’s important this space can be used for several hours while the candles set and cool.

If you burned a candle right after it took the shape, it’s very likely you can’t get the best scent. Starting from these terms, we are going to walk you through the reasons why your candles don’t smell strong as expected. Just imagine, when you went past a craft store and were appealed by the amazing fragrances of candles. You bought one scented candle of your choice at home, lit it up, and expected to enjoy the aroma. You waited and waited, but the fragrance was weak.

Q: How to Make Essential Oil Candles Smell Stronger?

Read more about lumanari votive here.

Take care not to get the scent too close to the flame, since it could catch fire. The scent should start to diffuse as the candle keeps burning. To start making your own candles, cut your wax into small chunks or shavings. Then, slowly heat the wax shavings until they are completely melted. If you want a scented or colored candle, add a fragrance or dye, like cinnamon-scented oil or crayon shavings, when the wax is at its melting point. Place a wick in your candle mold, then pour the melted wax into the mold. Candles are great to brighten up your space and fill it with charming fragrances.

It’s critical to utilize essential oils and colors explicitly designed for gel candles; fragrance oils purchased from a cosmetic store won’t work. For a newbie, buying equipment is the ideal option because it includes everything you’ll need to make your first few candles. Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler halfway with water and place it over high heat. Then, fill up your candle container twice with the wax flakes and pour them all into the top pot of your double boiler. Place the pot with the wax on top of the one with the water so the wax can melt without the risk of it burning.

How to conduct a basic burn test Conducting a burn test will help you determine the proper wick application for your candles. To prepare the mold, coat the interior with mold-release spray or nonstick cooking spray. Fix a length of wicking to the mold according to its instructions (wick putty can be used to keep the wax from leaking out; strong tape also works). After all the candles are poured you can go through and tap on the side of each one a few times to encourage any bubbles to float to the top. Honestly, I am too lazy to measure each container on a digital scale as I pour, or to make a jig to put on each container to mark the wax level. If you are not good at eyeballing levels in containers, perhaps using a digital scale or making a jig to mark the pour level is a good idea for you to try.

The tools and methods of home candle making are almost as simple today as they were five thousand years ago. Here, you’ll learn how to make poured candles using melted wax, as well as rolled and cutout candles using sheets of wax. The results are not just beautiful, but they’re also useful and make excellent gifts. Take a moment to let your wax harden before you move on to the next step. To speed things up, you can place your jar in cold water. Once it has cooled completely, take out the wick clips, and voila!