Making candles is fun and relaxing. While it does give you the opportunity to be creative, there are some basic candle making steps you need to follow to make the process flow well. Nothing is more disappointing than discovering your candles didn’t form correctly. Safety is very important in candle making. Most people make candles in their own kitchen. You will want to have a fire extinguisher handy as well as a non-slip mat placed in from of your stove. Always wear old clothing and long sleeves. However, make sure your sleeves don’t dangle where they can fall into the hot wax.
Since you will have to get the candle wax very hot to melt completely, there is the risk of severe burns. You also have the risk of starting a fire. It is important to clean up all spilled wax immediately. It won’t take long for it to harden, and it will be very slippery. The dyes and scents used in candle making can leave stains.
The best way to set up your work area for candle making is to divide it into three specific workstations for preparation, the melting process, and the cooling process. The preparation area doesn’t need to be large, just a flat surface that is well organized. To make the process flow best, use a counter in close proximity to the stove. You will want to keep your utensils, thermometer, additives, and other candle making supplies in this area. It is a good idea to know what types of candles you will be making ahead of time so that you have all the necessary items ready to go.
Your melting workstation will likely be the stove. You will need to use a double boiler to melt the wax to a temperature that is hot enough without scorching it. If the direct heat on the wax is too high, you can damage the molecular structure of the wax. This means your candles won’t form well or hold up well when burned. Wax comes in sheets or blocks. You will need to chip off chunks to melt. A hammer and flat head screwdriver work well for this.
Chip in the preparation stage; so that you can simply add more pieces throughout the melting process. You will want to weigh each piece of wax before you add it to the pot for melting. This will help you determine how much scent and dye to add, weight determines the proportions.
The cooling station needs to be a flat area such as a countertop or table. The wax needs to cool for several hours; so this area needs to be able to withstand high temperatures as well as remain undisturbed for long periods of time. The area should not be directly in the path of sunlight or heating/cooling systems. If it is, the candles will not set properly. If you plan to use molds for your candles, have them set up in the cooling area while the wax is melting. Once it finishes melting, you will need to pour it immediately into the molds. To prevent a mess from spills, use an old cookie sheet for the molds to cool on.
The candle making process will run smoothly and efficiently if you follow these tips for establishing three workstations. While the process should be fun, it is important that you understand the dangers of candle making including burns and fires. Taking the proper safety precautions ensures the creation of candles in your home as a great way to spend your time.