Welcome to the world of candle making!
Candle making is a fun and creative hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are looking for a pleasant way to spend your free time or want to start a business, this article will provide you with some useful tips on choosing the right material for your project. We'll show you what types of waxes, wicks and other materials are available, as well as basic guidelines about them, so you can make informed decisions when it's time to shop.
So let's get started!
Necessary material for making candles
When it comes to making candles, there are a few basic things you'll need, which are wax, a container, a wick, and fragrance oil.
Wax
Wax is the basis of every candle, so it is very important to choose wax that is of good quality. There are many different types of waxes available on the market, and in order to find the one that suits your needs you need to know:
Do you want to make a candle in a mold or in a container? Some waxes, such as soy and coconut wax, have a low melting point and are too soft to make a stand-alone candle. In that case, you can opt for palm wax or paraffin. There are also numerous mixtures of natural and synthetic waxes suitable for making sculptural candles on the market. Finally, you can make the mixture yourself, by adding a certain percentage of harder wax or additives to the softer wax and thus increasing its melting point.
Do you want a candle made of wax from natural and renewable sources? Vegan? Then your choice is soy or coconut wax , biodegradable and non-toxic waxes that burn cleanly without smoke or soot.
If the priority is to have as intense a scent as possible, paraffin wax is a safe choice.
When you decide on a certain type of wax, before you start making candles it is very important that you know the material you are working with. Some waxes are very similar in performance and application, but each of them has different characteristics and requires a different manufacturing process.
Vessel
The container is just as important as the wax as it will determine the size and shape of your candle. Choosing a container is the most fun and easiest step because there is a large selection. Glasses, bowls, jars, cans can be used . What should be taken into account are the shape, size and material they are made of.
Pan shape - It is best to use pans with a regular cylindrical or square shape to ensure even burning. Otherwise, it is very difficult to choose the right fuse.
Pot size - pot diameter is important because it determines the size and number of wicks.
Container material - Glass jars and jars are the most commonly used containers, the only condition is that they are resistant to high temperatures. Ceramic bowls are a good choice for creating unique candles, but since ceramic is a porous material, they must be glazed. A new trend in the world of scented candles is the use of aluminum packaging. Cans and metal jars are a great choice if you prefer unusual and modern, and at the same time affordable. However, there are several important things that you must pay attention to if you decide on this type of container. Metal is a good conductor of heat, so a candle in a can will need a larger wick than a candle in a glass cup, for the same diameter of the container. Also, the walls of the container quickly become hot, which poses a danger when handling and damaging the surface on which the candle is placed (wooden table, shelf). If possible, opt for containers without joints, or with joints that are welded and not glued, so that the wax does not leak out of the container at higher temperatures.
Make sure that you do not use wooden and plastic containers under any circumstances, as they are a fire hazard.
Wick
The wick greatly affects how the candle will burn. Whether you choose a cotton or wooden wick, the most important thing is to use the right size.
Too big a wick means too much fuel, i.e. wax, and will lead to a big flame and the appearance of soot, overheating, the candle will burn too fast. Too small a wick causes a flame that flickers or goes out, tunneling. In both cases, the candle does not burn properly.
The correct choice of wick ensures a stable flame, optimal temperature of the vessel, minimal mushroom formation (carbon deposits) on the wick, a perfectly formed layer of melted wax on the surface of the candle, which also means a satisfying smell.
When choosing a wick, take care of:
The diameter of the candle - a larger diameter requires a larger wick. If the diameter is greater than 9 cm, it is recommended to use two or more smaller wicks.
Types of wax - each wax has a different density and melting point, the higher these values, the larger the wick we use.
Amounts of scented oil and color - larger amounts of oil and color require the use of larger wicks.
Fragrant oils
It is recommended to use scented oils specially formulated for use in candles.
Each wax has a recommended percentage of fragrance oil that it can hold, usually 6-10%. Adding more oil does not always mean a stronger scent. Too much oil will disrupt the functionality of the wick, it will practically suffocate the wick, due to which the candle will smell poorly or not at all. Also, too much oil will cause the oil to separate from the wax, which manifests itself in the form of tiny droplets on the surface of the candle. This is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a potential source of fire.
By carefully researching each type of material and considering what best suits your needs, you'll be ready to hit the ground running and make a seriously good candle!