Step-by-Step Guide to Candle Making at Home

So many people love candles, but what they don’t realize is that candles are so easy to make at home! Candle making is a fun and relaxing activity that can be enjoyed by anyone—no experience necessary!

However, the idea of jumping right in with candle making can be a little bit daunting since there are so many options out there! Beginners will have to consider things like: What type of wax should I use? Is this container safe to use? What size wick should be used for this container? How much fragrance oil should I use?

So if you’re looking for a new hobby or thinking about starting a home based candle business, buying a complete candle making kit is a quick and economical way to get started. With a complete kit, you’ll get all the tools and materials you need, together with simple instructions to set you up for success! 

In this post, we will share with you the step-by-step instructions included in our Premium Candle Making Kit. Soon you’ll be a candle making pro, ready to create your own bespoke candles!

 

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Our kit includes the following items:
Aluminum melting pitcher
Thermometer
Metal stirring spoon
3 glass jars
3 bags of soy wax
3 fragrance oils (15ml each)
3 wick stickers
3 cotton wicks
3 wooden wicks & metal tabs
3 wick centering devices
3 decorative labels
3 warning labels

As a bonus, we also include a Luxury Candle Accessories Set:
Wick trimmer
Candle snuffer
Wick dipper
Velvet storage pouch

You will also need:
A clear workspace and a stovetop
A medium saucepan that fits the melting pitcher

 

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

BEFORE YOU START:

We recommend that you read through all instructions to familiarize yourself with the process. 

For best results, you may also want to check out these articles:
- Tips for setting up your workspace and easy clean up
- Troubleshooting tips for soy wax
- Everything you need to know about wood wicks (coming soon)

We recommend making 1 x 8 oz candle at a time.

WARNING: Parental supervision is required if children are involved

INITIAL SET UP

You will need a clear workspace, stove + medium saucepan.

The ideal ambient temperature is between 66-77°F (19-25°C). Wash and THOROUGHLY DRY the melting pot and candle jars.

Use a wick sticker to attach your chosen wick to the center of the jar. Press down firmly for 4-5 seconds. Straighten the wick and lock it in place using the wick centering device. Keep jars at least 4” apart.

NOTE: Off-center wicks may result in candles that burn unevenly

LET’S BEGIN!

Start by emptying 1 bag of wax into the melting pitcher.

Fill saucepan with 1-2” of water and place the melting pitcher inside to create a DOUBLE-BOILER. Clip your thermometer to the side of the pitcher and bring the water to a simmer. Use the mixing spoon to stir the wax from time to time, in order to evenly distribute heat.

When the wax reaches 185°F (90°C), use an oven mitt to remove the pitcher from the saucepan and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Add 1 bottle of fragrance oil (15ml) and stir for approximately 2 minutes to ensure the contents are evenly mixed.

NOTE: Over stirring the wax can create air-bubbles (resulting in sink holes or a bumpy surface once cooled). If this happens, see our troubleshooting tips!

When the wax reaches 175°F (80°C), pour it into the candle jar, stopping before you reach the neck of the jar. Set aside or discard any remaining wax.

Let your candle cure at the recommended ambient temperature for at least 36 hours before lighting. The ideal cure time for soy wax is 2-4 weeks for the strongest scent throw.

FINISHING UP

Once your candle has fully cooled, trim wicks (1/4” for cotton, 1/8” for wood). Apply decorative sticker to front and warning label on the bottom.

Enjoy your candles!

 

NOTES ABOUT SOY WAX + WOOD WICKS:

We love Soy Wax because it delivers a cleaner burn, less soot and a longer burn time than traditional waxes. However, along with these benefits, this type of wax does have some drawbacks.

To troubleshoot common issues like weak scent throw, bumpy surfaces or sink holes, check out our Soy Wax Troubleshooting Guide.

Our kit also features Wood Wicks, because aside from their unique aesthetic, they give off a gentle crackle and unique flicker that creates a cozy ambiance. However, wood wicks can be tricky if you’re not familiar with them (that’s why we included cotton wicks too!).

To learn all about wood wicks and how to troubleshoot any wick issues you may encounter (for both wood and cotton wicks), check out this article (coming soon).