How to Make Container Candles
A container candle is a non-flammable container filled with wax and a suitable wick. When making your candles, you can use almost anything as a container.
For starters, look through your kitchen cabinets for unusual jars, glasses, coffee cups, or small salad bowls. Even pop cans with their tops removed will do. But if you choose to use pop cans for your container candles, decorate the cans a little! What this goes to show you, however, is that the only thing holding you back from wonderful container candles is your imagination.
Choose the wax for your candle.
Paraffin wax is one of the most common waxes appropriate for container candles. But also for pillar candles, votive candles, and other molded candles that can stand. Paraffin is an odorless, white wax that is produced as a by-product of crude oil refining.
Soy wax, made from soybeans, was created as a substitute for paraffin, a petroleum by-product. It’s also a popular choice for container candles. When compared to paraffin wax, soy wax has a longer burn time.
Choose a Container
Choose a heat-resistant container, like Mason jars, which are heavy and made to withstand high temperatures. They’re difficult to break and can be refilled multiple times. Most of these jars have lovely patterns embossed on them, making them ideal for gift-giving. Place the lid that comes with the jar on your container candle, and add a pretty ribbon around the rim of the lid, tie a nice bow, and present it as a gift.
Another type of glassware is perfectly acceptable, as long as it’s thick enough to withstand the heat. Ceramic bowls and metal tins are good choices and are more heat resistant than clear glass.
Fancy cut crystal, pressed glass, and embossed drinking glasses are usually heat resistant and made to last. Glass bowls are attractive candle containers. Choose a medium or shallow glass bowl.
Making the container candle
1. Make sure that the containers for your candles are completely dry. Place a candlewick in the center of each container. If the wicks you are using have metal disks (wick clips) on the ends, they will stand up with no help. If the wicks do not have clips, you will need to hold the wick in place. To do so, attach the wick to an object and balance it on top of the container.
2. Cut the wax into small pieces and place them in the top pan of a double boiler. Melt the wax over medium heat until it’s completely melted. While the wax is heating, don’t leave the stove unattended.
3. You can now add color and fragrance after the wax has completely melted. You can apply different colors and scents that you like. Once done, add fragrance and dyes, and prepare the container with the wick correctly placed and secured.
4. To remove the wax from the stove, use oven mitts or potholders. Then, carefully pour the wax into the container until it reaches the desired height.
5. Allow the wax to cool for several hours or until it has hardened completely. Laid it in a safe place where children can’t reach it.
Candle Burning Safety
While burning the container candle, be sure that it is on a heat-resistant surface, away from anything flammable, and never leave a burning candle unattended.
Equipment Tips for Container Candles
You must choose non-flammable containers, so remember no plastic or wood containers. Maybe try old jelly jars, small drinking glasses, or even an old used large Marmite jar. When making container candles, or any candle, the wax temperature during the melting process is critical.
So make sure you have a specialized wax thermometer or use a candy or cooking thermometer as long as it has the temperature ranges on it. The thermometer needs to register temperatures between 100F and 300F for candle making, but this depends on the type of wax you choose to use. Full details relating to a wax’s melt point will be included with the wax when you purchase it.
Troubleshooting Tips for Container Candles
Air bubbles in your poured wax?
To minimize the number of air bubbles, slowly stir your wax as it melts and pour it slowly into your mold or container. Also, try to tip your container slightly as you pour. Don’t forget to tap the sides of your container to encourage air bubbles to escape.
Do you find your candles pitting?
Tiny pitting or pockmarks in candle making are usually caused by;
1. You sprayed your mold with too much mold release;
2. You poured your wax at an excessively high temperature.
So the solutions are:
1. Before pouring your wax, wipe out your mold, leaving only a thin film of product, and;
2. Lower your wax pouring temperature by keeping a closer eye on your thermometer.
Just like any other skill, to make great soy candles, keep practicing doing it. It is normal to produce candles that are not really what you expect them to be. It is all part of the learning process. From your mistakes, you learn and become more skillful. So that in the future, you will produce creations that are more beautiful and sophisticated.
