 |
 What is it made of?
Gel Candlewax is really not a wax at all, but is made of a specially designed mixture of mineral oils and resins. Our gel candlewax is the Penreco C MP brand which means it is suitable for candles with medium to high fragrance loads and will suspend heavier objects.
What equipment is needed?
To melt the gel, use a non-stick pot on the stove top (no need to use a double boiler). You can also melt your gel in a rice cooker or deep fryer. You'll need a thermometer that reaches up to 300 degrees F and some type of container to mix and pour your gel from (a glass measuring cup works great). You will also need the right size of wicking (we recommend to use papercore wicking), wick tabs and a container to burn your gel in. Another great thing about gel candlewax is that it's easy to clean up. You can simply peel away any residue that is left on your equipment, but make sure that you don't ever pour gel candlewax down the drain.
At what temperature should the gel be poured at?
The gel should be heated to 203-221 degrees F for mixing and blending color, then cool to 185-203 degrees F for pouring. Remember that the hotter you pour the gel, the more bubbles it will have when it dries and the cooler you pour the gel, the fewer the bubbles. You also will get more air bubbles the more the gel is stirred. Do not heat the gel any higher than 230 degrees F. Temperatures hotter than this can cause the resin to burn and the gel to ignite. Always use a thermometer.
What type of wicking should be used?
We recommend to use papercore wicking with gel candlewax. Gel candles do require a larger size of wicking than paraffin candles. We recommend to use at least one size larger than what is used for paraffin candles. Remember to use wick tabs to secure the wicks. The tabs can be secured to the bottom of the container with glue dots or by dipping the tab in some gel and then pressing the tab on the bottom of the container.
How much color should be used?
The amount of color to used depends on personal preference, however, usually less color is preferable so that the gel retains it's clarity. If you are using our color chips, only ¼ of a chip per lb. of wax is recommended.
What type and how much fragrance should be used?
You must use a specific fragrance in your gel candles. The wrong fragrances can make your gel candles cloudy. If you are not sure about a fragrance, you can test it by adding a few drops to some mineral oil. If it stays clear in the mineral oil, it should stay clear in your gel. If it turns cloudy, it will most likely turn your gel candlewax cloudy too. The amount of fragrance to add is also a matter of personal preference, however, you should never add more than 5% fragrance to your gel. A good rule of thumb is to use one tablespoon per pound of gel, however, you can use less if this is too strong. Add fragrance right before you pour your gel and make sure that it is well blended so that you don't get fragrance pools in your candle.
What types of objects can be used to embed in gel candles?
Always use nonflammable objects. Some things that work well are glass, marbles, seashells, and premade wax items (make from a hard crystalline wax to prevent melting when the hot gel is poured over). Cosmetic grade glitter can also be used in very small quantities.
Safety Tips:
 Always use a thermometer and keep gel away from open flame.
Never leave heating gel or burning candles unattended.
Do not exceed the flash point of the gel while heating.
Always keep children and pets away from your work area.
Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of fire.
Return to How-to Make Candles Home
Move on to next How-to (Using Polyurethane Molds)
|
|
