How to Make Your Own Candles

Hello there! I tried my hand at candle making and I must say, it was very satisfying!

The genesis of this project came about when the candle I had was almost empty.  I wanted to reuse the jar it came in. Maybe I could make my own candles instead of buying them? I've always wanted to learn anyway. 

Here's a little trick to get rid of the remaining wax and wick at the bottom of the jar:  put the jar in the freezer. After about 20 minutes take the the jar out and the wax will easily pop out...TADA!

Peel off the labels and clean the jar with soap and water. Now they look brand new! (As you can see, I've amassed a number of jars already).

We will also need some wicks and wax. I got these at the craft store.

I attached the wick to the base of the jar with a little hot glue. Then I wrapped the wick around a skewer/chopstick so that when the wax is poured later on, the wick remains centered. 

It's important to protect our work area so we don't leave any wax during and after the process. I used scrap paper and secured it with tape.

I wan't sure how many candles I would be able to make so I prepared several jars.  

Take the wax and chop it into smaller chunks or shavings. Use a knife and chopping board that's exclusively for crafting. Never use the same utensils for meal prep. Wax and food should not mix.  That would be blah. 

The smaller the chunks, the faster they will melt. 

Place the wax chunks in a heat-resistant container. I used this heat-proof measuring cup because it had a spout that will make it easier to pour. 

Attach a thermometer to the cup, keeping it in place with a bulldog clip. Make sure the tip of the thermometer is inside the wax. 

Find a medium-sized pot (it should be able to fit the heat-proof measuring cup) and fill it half-way with tap water. Put the measuring cup (containing the wax and thermometer) inside the pot. Turn on the heat (medium) and allow the water to boil.

The wax should be fully melted. Keep an eye on the thermometer and check your package instructions to know what temperature you need to reach before you can take the wax away from the heat. Mine said 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82.2 degrees Celsius).  

At this point, do not leave this project unattended even if the wax takes time to melt (it took about 30 minutes for me). 

 

Carefully remove the heat-proof measuring cup from the pot and let it rest on a trivet or pot holder. Carefully remove the thermometer and bulldog clip. At this point you can add scent (fragrance oil for candles). Stir well with a skewer or chopstick.

Allow the wax to cool to approximately 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79.4 degrees Celsius). Use the thermometer to check. 

Place the jars on a flat, covered surface and slowly pour in the wax. Judge how full you want your jar to be. 

Allow the wax to cool overnight. Put them where the children and pets can't reach them. 

With scissors, trim the wick to 1/4 inch.

I was able to fill these two jars with a half pound of wax (half of the package).

Remember to label all materials "For crafts" and never use them when making meals. Store these in a separate cupboard so nobody at home accidentally uses them.  

And that is how I turned empty jars from blah to TADA! Woohoo!