Posts Tagged ‘gel candle wax’
How to Make Gel Candles
How to make gel candles is both very similar and very different from making wax candles. While the same general supplies are needed, such as a thermometer, a melting container, wicks, etc., gel candles also need some special treatment.
If you read the page on gel candle supplies, you know, for example, that a gel candle uses a specific type of fragrance, called non-polar. And not using the correct fragrance could indeed cause you big candle problems.
Wicks are also a little different for gel candles; a cored wick with a tab is the best, because a regular wick won't be able to stand up to the gel (or in the gel, for that matter).
And then there are the fun things -- the gel candle insets! From found objects like seashells to realistic-looking wax fruits for "food" candles, the inserts are part of the creative joy!
Materials Needed
Here is a very basic list of the gel candle making supplies you will need:
- Thermometer -- the candy-making kind that measures to at least 300 degrees.
- Pot in which to melt the gel, preferably with a spout of some kind.
- Candle gel.
- Cored wick that has a wick tab; zinc core is the best for gel.
- Container for your candle.
Optionals are the neat stuff! These are what make making gel candles so much fun. They include:
- Non-polar fragrance, preferably one that's colorless (or it will cloud the gel).
- Dye that is compatible with gel candles; liquid dye is preferable, as solid dye may cloud your gel. You only need a teeny-tiny bit -- one drop of liquid dye can color 1 pound of gel!
- Safe inserts. Stick with non-flammables, obviously. Small seashells make a nice start.
- Sticky tabs, used to anchor your wick tabs in your container.
A Note About Supplies
If you're brand new to gel candles, consider buying a kit, as opposed to buying things seperately. It really is safer.
I was just at a major craft store and took a look at their offerings for how to make gel candles.
I saw gel, wicks, fragrance, dye. But nowhere was there any kind of label to tell me what kind of wick went with the gel, what dyes were best to use, and nothing about fragrance -- was it safe?
So...I really do think you're best off getting a kit in the beginning, to make sure you have what you need for making gel candles - safely!
Basics: How to Make Gel Candles
In essence, it's a matter of first melting the gel candle wax to between 205 and 215 degrees.
While the gel is heating (and it does take time), you anchor your wicks in your containers. You can use sticky tabs (preferably) or a little hot glue from a glue gun (which might or might not cause gel clouding).
Add your dye at any point once the gel is liquid, and your fragrance just before you are ready to pour the gel.
Resources: Books
Do you find it much easier to sit down with a book, than read from a computer screen? If so, here are two excellent books on making gel candles:
Gel Candles: 40 Creative Projects
The Complete Guide to Gel Candlemaking: Learn How to Create Beautiful, Scented Gel Candle Designs in Just a Few Easy Steps
Tags: Candle Making Wax
Candle making wax seems like it's easy to choose -- at least at first. But did you realize there are many types of wax you can use for your craft? It's true; there are quite a few kinds of wax, in several different forms.
The wax you choose will have a different outcome for your candle; and some are only suitable for a special type of candle. So let's find out more about the different kinds that are available.
What Kinds of Wax?
There are five basic types of candle making wax:
- Beeswax. A natural wax that is a byproduct of a honey-making operation, tends to be on the expensive side. Comes in pellets, chunks and sheets.
- Vegetable. Made from plants other than soy or bayberry, primarily palm. Palm wax in particular holds a fragrance extremely well and is the longest-burning of the candle waxes.
- Soy. Made from soybeans, this is another type of natural wax. Very popular because of the way it holds fragrance, and it's also very long-burning.
- Bayberry. Made from the bayberry plant, it generally doesn't hold a fragrance really well, except for its natural bayberry scent. Note: Sometimes "bayberry" wax is only scented with bayberry; if you're paying a lot, know what you are getting!
- Paraffin. Made as a by-product of petroleum refining. The least expensive wax and when combined with stearic wax, quite hard when set.
There's also gel candle wax, which isn't really wax, but it is used as a candle.
The natural waxes (beeswax, soy and vegetable) are the most desirable when it comes to burning candles inside, as they cause the least amount of soot. Soy and vegetable are the best for making aromatherapy candles, as they hold scents the best.
If you are burning citronella candles outside, the smoke from the flame of a paraffin wax may also contribute to keeping away insects.
Is There a Best Kind of Candle Making Wax?
It really depends on what you are planning to make. For example, if you are planning to make a honeycomb candle (one of the easiest kind there is), you will need a sheet of beeswax.
If you plan on burning the candle indoors, one of the natural candle making waxes is best, from a low soot point of view. If you are planning to burn your candle outside, soot may be less of an issue.
Many beginners start out with beeswax, as it's easily available both locally and online. The only caveat -- beeswax is fairly expensive, for a candle making wax. It is, however, wonderful to burn!
If you're looking to make sand candles, you'll want a high melting point wax, which will probably be paraffin-based.
Supplies for Wax
If you have one of the large chain craft stores nearby, there's a good chance you can pick up at least some beeswax. If it's a very large store, you might also be able to find some soy, vegetable and/or paraffin wax as well.
Don't try your local grocery store for paraffin, though -- the paraffin sold as canning supplies isn't the same as paraffin for candles. The grocery store paraffin is too soupy and your candle will suffer greatly.
If you don't have a craft store nearby, or if for some reason it doesn't carry wax, you can order online (which is actually my favorite way, especially considering the cost of gas these days).
If you're looking for beeswax, try Discount Candle -- they have a good range of offerings.
For paraffin-based wax, try Amazon (of all places). Paraffin has the benefit of being inexpensive, so if you're just trying out candlemaking, it may be just what you need.
Surprisingly, Amazon is also good for soy candle making supplies. And I found this to be really cool -- microwavable soy wax for container candles! If you want to try your hand at candle-making the low-fuss way, get some.
For natural/vegetable wax, take a look at Candlewic -- they have a nice selection available.