How to Make a Container Candle

Making Container Candles

There are many ways to make a container candle. Most chandlers have tips and tricks they can share, and there are many creative ideas to go around. Container candle making can be a great way to get creative with your hobby, and it is a great place to start for beginners. Below are some common steps to making a great container candle, but once you get comfortable with the process it can be very fun to experiment with new creations.

What you will need:

-Double boiler

-Candle wax

-A clean, heat resistant glass jar suitable for burning candles -(a jelly jar or mason jar in the canning section of your local grocery store is a good start)

-Any additives such as color or fragrance if desired

-Pre-tabbed wick - Use a wick that is suitable for your particular wax and diameter of your container. If you have trouble determining a good wick size, talk to your wax supplier and they can lead you in the right direction.

-Hot glue gun or wick stickers

-Bic pen or straw for inserting and centering your wick

-Clothespin

-Thermometer - Your thermometer should be able to read high temperatures. A candy thermometer is good for this. You may also check your local grocery store. In the kitchen supply section, there should be some good digital thermometers to choose from.

Step 1:

Assuming you have read our tutorial on melting your wax, you should have your wax melting in your double boiler and reaching the target temperature of 160-175*F. This target will vary. Please check with the supplier for your particular type of wax.

While monitoring your wax as it melts, take apart the Bic pen keeping the barrel, and throw the rest away. If you are using a straw, cut it down to approximately 5 inches (or as long as needed to hold your wick, depending on your size of container).

Straighten your pre-tabbed wick and insert into the pen barrel or straw.

Holding carefully, apply hot glue or a wick sticker to the bottom of the tab.

Using the pen or straw, guide your wick carefully into the jar and adhere the tab as close to the center of the jar as possible. Centering is very important, as this will determine how evenly the candle will burn. When the wick tab is securely attached inside of the jar, slide your barrel or straw off of the wick and set aside.

Step 2:

Now that you have your wick adhered to the inside of the jar, you will need to attach it to the clothespin on top to keep it centered. It is important to do this, as it keeps the wick centered and steady while you pour your wax and while it cools and sets. You may use a clothespin, or some may prefer to use a skewer, a pencil, or anything else that the wick can wrap around

Step 3:

When your wax has melted and reached the target temperature, remove it from heat, and add your color, additives, and/or fragrance if you are using any, stirring well. I am using a soy container wax, and I like to add my color when the wax is 170*F. Then I wait until it cools to approximately 115*F to add fragrance. This is because if you add fragrance while the wax is too hot, it can burn off the fragrance, and the smell will not be as strong when it cools. Some do add fragrance while it is hot, it depends on your brand of wax and personal preference.

When you add your fragrance, a good fragrance oil load is 1 ounce to 1 ½ ounce per pound of wax. Always measure your ounces by weight, not by volume.

Step 4:

When your wax cools to the recommended pouring temperature, carefully pour wax into your jar in a steady stream, leaving a small amount for your second pour. If you stop pouring and start again, it can cause unsightly lines in your jar as it cools. Pour your wax, leaving enough room for the wick end and the lid to fit properly on top, at least 3/4"-1".

*Note: Some chandlers heat their jars to about 150*F just prior to pouring. It can aid glass adhesion and help eliminate “wet spots” on the sides of your jar. It is not necessary, but a matter or personal preference. If you wish to heat your jars, you can put it in the oven for a few minutes on the lowest heat setting, or use a heat gun. Be careful with the heat gun, though, as it heats up much hotter than 150*F and can crack the glass if heated to quickly.

When you are done pouring your candle, set aside the leftover wax, but do NOT return it to the heat source. Poke some relief holes for air to escape, and allow your candle to cool and set. Depending on the size of you candle, this can take 4-6 hours. Do not accelerate the cooling process.

Step 5:

Once your candle has cooled, you will notice that is has sunken in the middle. This happens because as wax cools, it contracts. This is where the second pour comes in.

Heat up your leftover wax back to it’s target temperature. In this second pour, we will pour our wax at a higher temperature to better aid adhesion to the wax already in our jar. Carefully pour your wax into the jar covering the sunken area, but only pour to the level of your original pour. This prevents lines from showing on the side of the jar.

When you candle has cooled completely, remove clothespin, and trim wick to 1/4".

Congratulations on making your first candle! With practice, you will grow comfortable with the process, and then you can start experimenting with different colors and pouring techniques of more advanced chandlers.