Candle Making, How-to instruction on how to make candles Candle Making Supplies, How to make candles, GloryBee


Materials Needed

 Wax (Beeswax, 145 Paraffin, Pillar Blend Crystallizing Wax or Pillar Blend Soy Wax)
 Dual Taper Dipper or Taper Dipping Rack
 Wicking (be sure to use the correct size for the type of wax)
 2 Dipping Vats (one for wax and one for water)
 Thermometer
 2 Metal Nuts (if using dual taper dipper)
 Large Pot for Boiling Water

Directions

Step 1. Prepare your dual taper dipper or taper dipping rack. If using the dual taper dipper, prepare the wick by cutting it 6 inches longer than the length desired for two taper candles. This length provides for the 2 inch width between the prongs of the dual taper dipper. Weight the end of the wicking by tying the metal nuts at each end. Drape the weighted wick over the dual taper dipper. If using the taper dipping rack, adjust the rack to the desired candle height. Cut three lengths of wicking long enough to loop over two of the top fingers and tie tightly on the opposite fingers. Repeat this step for the remaining four fingers.

Step 2. Melt wax using a double boiler method. To do this, fill a large pot with water about ¼ full. Place one of the dipping vats inside this pot and melt wax by boiling water over medium heat. Stir the wax occasionally and use a thermometer to check the temperature. As the wax melts, you can gradually add more wax as necessary.

Step 3. Once your wax is completely melted, cool it down to 150 to 175 degrees F. If the wax goes below 150 degrees F, it will need to be reheated. Dipping at lower temperatures will produce a candle with a more rustic look, while dipping at higher temperatures will produce a candle with a smoother finish.

Step 4. Fill the second dipping vat with room temperature water. This will be used to cool your candles between dips.

Step 5. Lower taper dipper (either the dual taper or the rack) slowly into the melted wax, dipping to within ½ inch of the top of the wick. Leave the wick in the wax for about 5 seconds, then slowly remove. If the wick is bent, you can straighten it with your fingers. Follow this procedure for 3 or 4 more dips, lowering the tapers to the same level each time (1/2 inch from the top). After these dips, dip the rack into the water for approx. 5 seconds to cool.

Step 6. Continue this process of dipping from wax (3 or 4 dips) to water. If using the dual taper dipper, when the tapers are about ¼" thick, cut the metal nuts off the bottom. Slightly shake to remove excess water before returning to wax.

Step 7. Upon reaching desired diameter, let the entire rack or taper dipper stand in water for 3 to 5 minutes to cool. If using the rack, remove and cut candles with scissors just above bottom fingers.

Step 8. Hang the pairs of tapers to finish cooling.


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