how do I make a candle?

Answer 1

The way to make an old style candle is to get some cotton string and dip it in molten beef tallow, pull it out and let it cool repeating the process until you have a candle of desired length and girth.
The same can be done using paraffin wax.
Also, you can get candle molds which make the candle all at once.
It is a lot less trouble to purchase them as you can get any size and fragrance that you wish.
Beef tallow candle smell kind of funky.

Answer 2

Ok this will be fun,,I've been making candles for more years than I can remember.

Here's how I do it.
1st of all candle wax is VERY flamable especially when in the liquid form.

Candle wax comes in 2 different melting degrees. I believe it's 145 degrees & 160 degrees. The wax come in 11 lb. slabs. The last time I bought some it was around $2.25/lb. (I buy it by the case 55 lbs. each).

Go to craft store like Hoby-Loby or Michaels to get your supplies. Depending on what size candle (diameter) your making will dictate your wick size. Wicks come it 2 different kinds. A metal core or braided solid cotton. It's your call on either. The metal core gives the wick more support. I use both kinds.

Next you need the wax. I use a 50/50 blend & some time I put a small amount of Bee's wax in, but not much because Bees wax is Very expensive, around $ 8.00/lb. if not more. Bees wax has a higher melting point and the finished candle burns slower. Plus it's sticky ( traces of honey still in it) to work with.

I guess I'm a little more riskier than most because I melt the wax in a 3 lb. coffee can on a hot plate. I bend the coffee can to form a spout on one side.
While the wax is melting I add the dye. Watch it a little goes a long way,especially the dark colors.
You'll need a thermometer. I use a candy thermometer. It clips right the can. You'll need a pliers to handle the hot can when taking it off the burner.

Ok here's how hot I take the melted wax to: When I use a plastic mold-no hotter than 160 degrees. If you use a metal mold, 185 degrees is fine. Keep in mind the wax shrinks as it cools. The hotter you have it the more it shrinks. If it srinks too much, you'll have to add wax while it's cooling. Here's a little trick I use. When the wax has cooled and I have to add wax, I take a metal coat hanger , cut it (with a pliers) long enough to reach about 2/3's the height of the candle, heat it and poke it into the dried wax (in the mold). What happens while the wax is cooling is a void forms insde the candle and you want to fill that void. When filling that void, I melt some wax to around 150 degrees and pour it in. Oh ya,, Just before pouring, add some scent if you want some. The scent comes in a liquid form.The bottle should tell you how much to use/lb. of wax your pouring.

FORMS: You can get character / decrative plastic or metal molds. If you use plastic, you'll need to get some "Bull-Dog" paper clips. The reason is that when you pour the wax in, the mold will expand and the liquid wax will seep out. The clamps help to keep it in.
Make sure to put your wick in the mold before you clamp the mold together and tie a double knot on the end your going to burn the candle. Most molds are poured upside down, your pouring the wax in from the bottom of the mold.
On the end your pouring the wax into, take a piece of wood, notch it in the middle, take the excess wick and wrap it around that wood ( I use a piece about 5/8" W x 1/4" thick x 6" long). Twist it as tight as possible, but not so much that you pull it through the Mold. Now take one of the Bull dog clamps and clip it on the wood and position it so the mold prevents it from unwinding

I've gotten away from these types of molds. To make just a round candle. I picked up some PVC pipe and some plastic end caps, drill a small hole in the center of the cap (for the wick) and glue the cap on the end of the pipe. You can get almost any size you want.

If you ever have trouble getting the candle of of a mold you can buy a canof mold release. What I do is put the mold in the freezer for a couple of hours. Works just fine. If you should leave it in too long the wax will show crack marks. That wouldn't effect the burning. Just tell people You planned it that way.

NEVER EVER mix wax and water... If you do spill some wax on a hot burner,,DON'T PANIC. unless it's a bunch. If it's just a little, it'll smoke like hell or mabey even flame up. just let it burn itself out. Smoothering it the way to put out a wax fire. Smoother the flames and turn the burner off , don't uncover the burner until it cools.

Answer 3

First, go to your local hardware store and buy beewax (in brick form) enough to fill 1/2 coffee can. Next, decide what type of candle, or molded candle you want to create. Hint: use a quart milk container for a molded candle. Works great!!! You only need to find a piece of cotton string and tie it to a pencil that can straddle the top of the milk container and reach the bottom.

Next, in a large cooking pot, pour in 1 inch of water. place the coffee can in the center and place the bricks of beeswax in the coffee can. Cook over med. high heat, watching closely. Decide whether or not you want scent and/or color.... Both are added AFTER the wax melts..... When the wax has completely melted (watch it closely and also add water to pot if it boils out.)

Remove coffee can with oven mitt from burner and add scent and/or color. Then CAREFULLY pour into clean, quart milk container over the string. Let cool completely (24 hours) and then cut or peel the carton away from the candle!!

For an interesting effect, have 2-4 cups of crushed ice on hand. Pour some into the bottom of the milk carton and then add hot wax. Follow by pouring another layer of crushed ice and more wax. Continue alternating until you reach the top. Place in freezer immediately. The result is a candle with crevices and interesting cut outs!! (Did this in girl scouts.)

Answer 4

Dip a candle wick in molten wax repeatedly until the desired diameter is obtained. They are actually made in pairs, one on each end of the wick. This is done so that the candles may be hung over a peg to cure between coats.

Answer 5

May take aprox. One year.
Every single day for 1 year take your cotten tips out from your bathroom cupboard & clean out your ears.
At the end of the year take all your cotten tips with all the ear wax to the candle wax factory.
They will make you the candles you've always been wishing for!

Answer 6

1. go to the craft store
2. buy a candlemaking kit
3. take it home and follow the instructions

enjoy!