Candle making?

Question

This is for anybody who makes candles, either for a business or a hobby. I want to start making candles at home. I have a few questions about this, sorry if I sound stupid: Can you use the same pouring pot for many different candles with different scents and colors? If so, how would you get all the wax from each candle out of the pot to start another one without scraping the pot for hours? Do you HAVE to use a scale? Can anybody give me some tips or suggestions about scents, techniques, etc.? Also, I don't know if somebody local to where I live has came up with this, but I have a candle that is called "Butt Naked"! I don't know if somebody has changed the name of this scent or made up their own. Would anybody know what scents are in this candle? I would really appreciate any advice, instructions, or anything anybody could tell me about candle making at home. Gift ideas or anything. Thanks!

Answer 1

1. You can use the same pour pot for different colors or scents. Just clean it out before you do. I'll just hit my port pot with a hot air gun (Not a hair dryier the type you use for stripping paint) and wipe it out with paper towel and normally I'm good to go.

2. Scales are pretty cheap. My first scale I bought was from K-Mart it was under $20. To measure your fragrance oils it is done by weight not by fluid ounces. Also by weighing all of your amounts you will be able to reproduce the candle easier next time you make it. Every time you make a candle keep records of everything. The type of wick you use, jar or mold type, amount of wax, additives, oils, etc. Also when buying a scale make sure it it can measure small amounts. Look for something that can measure .01 grams.

It's real common for people to change the name of their candles. Also even if they didn't the fragrance oils can smell totally different from one supplier to another. Finding the right oil can take a lot of time. Many of the supplier sell sniffies or small sample of their scents. It's best to try them out before you just rush out and buy a large amount. Also keep in mind what the oil smells like in the bottle can have a different smell once it is made into a candle. So don't go off of how the bottle smells. For instance I make a black cherry candle if you smelled the bottle you would think it smelled like a bad tasting cherry cough drop. When pouring the candle the same thing. The fumes burns your eyes and you would think it was the biggest mistake I made for a scent. But once it cured the candle rocks. It's one of my best sellers year round.

For tips I would say hit a few forums and start doing some reading. Here are a couple that I go to and are real helpful.

http://www.candlecauldron.com/
http://www.candletech.com/
http://boards.bittercreek.com/tool/mb/bittercreek

Good luck with your new hobby.

Answer 2

Can you use the same pouring pot for many different candles with different scents and colors?
yes
If so, how would you get all the wax from each candle out of the pot to start another one without scraping the pot for hours?
You should not have too much problems cleaning out the pot. They do sell cleaners, but I have never had to use them.
Do you HAVE to use a scale?
No
Can anybody give me some tips or suggestions about scents, techniques, etc.?
You usually use 1 ounce of scent per pound of wax. If you want a heavily scented candle, add a bit more. Make sure you heat the wax to the appropraite temp before adding dye and/or scent.
Also, I don't know if somebody local to where I live has came up with this, but I have a candle that is called "Butt Naked"! I don't know if somebody has changed the name of this scent or made up their own. Would anybody know what scents are in this candle?
Sorry, I dont know
I would really appreciate any advice, instructions, or anything anybody could tell me about candle making at home. Gift ideas or anything.
Its relatively simple. Take your wax, melt it to the right temp, add dye, scent, & pour in a container or mold with your wicking. You may have to do a second or third pour.

Answer 3

You can use the same pot endlessly, and you should never have to scrape it.



You have no need of a scale. You DO need a thermometer.

The effect of adding scents varies greatly depending on the source of the product. Some are strong and others are not. Some scents are not intended for high heat and evaporate quickly, as well as burning off in the heat, leaving little in the candle when it has cooled.. You can use cheap scents, but be prepared to lose some of the product as mentioned, and it will likely be short-lived as well.

Commercial candle scents are best, and a hobby store can get them for you.

To reduce the evaporation you can add the scent to the mold as you pour the wax.

Most commercially available paraffin from a petroleum outlet, such as Shell or Exxon, or the same thing sold in hobby stores as candle wax has a melt temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use additives to raise the melt point, and you should do that to obtain a harder wax and longer-burning candle.

As long as you keep the melt point of the wax under 200degrees F you can quickly clean any pot by using plain (no soap) boiling water. Always clean the outside FIRST.

Keep plenty of paper towels handy when cleaning and when pouring. Wax tends to stay around the edge of the pot and/or pouring spout and it will drip unexpectedly. Wipe off the edge after every pour.

Always wipe down the exterior of your pot when finished as some wax will always be missed and it will mess your counters when you put the pot there later.

Pour off the wax/water into a suitable container and let it cool. The wax will solidify as the water cools and will stay on top of the water, so you can collect it and dispose of it easily.

Do NOT re-use wax that is cooled in water as it will retain some of the water and may cause you problems later.

Any stubborn wax residue can be cleaned by using a petroleum solvent/standard paint thinner (NEVER lacquer thinner). After that use soap and water for final cleaning.

For melting wax at home you can use a double boiler....water in the bottom part and wax in the upper part.

It is not recommended that you use direct heat because of the probability of overheating and fire.

A scale might be nice, but for most use it is a waste of money. You will quickly learn to judge the amount of everything needed and a difference of a small amount is meaningless. You are better off using a steel cup for measuring the amount of liquid wax as you pour it.

When ready to pour into the mold you first pre-heat the cup by pouring hot wax into it, then returning the wax to the main pot. Immediately after that measure the desired amount and pour evenly, almost slowly.

This is important as it minimizes bubble formation.

You should also pre-wax your wick. Dip the wicking into hot wax and let it absorb the wax before you place it in the mold.
Again, this minimizes bubbles in the poured wax, plus you get an even burn from the finished product..

Get used to the thermometer: it is your guide for many things in candle making, as different temperatures will give you different effects in the finished candles.

Answer 4

I make candles by recycling the wax from scented store bought candles. I try to keep it simple because I don't want to mix too many scents together. Getting candles (plain white, no scent) from the dollar store, and mixing them with scent and color from the craft store or Ebay, is fun. I pour one color, let cool, and then pour the next color, let cool, and so on until it is full. That way the candles come out in layers. I also do "chunking" where you pour a dark color into an old cookie sheet (with edges) or pan, let wax cool, but not harden all the way, then cut into squares, or chunks, let cool. Then fill mold with chunks and pour a light color into mold, let cool. You candle with have chunks of different color you can see. During Christmas time I will make solid/layered candles and buy clear wrapping paper (at Big Lots) that has Christmas patterns, like snow flakes or Christmas trees and wrap the candles from bottom to top, tying the top with matching ribbon (like how some gift baskets are wrapped) and then I curl the ribbon. One year I printed little messages on cardstock, cut them out, punched a hole, and laced the message on the ribbon, before tying, so the candle had a cute message for the person. There are so many things you can do. Try to get some books about it, so you get good visuals, and create your own stuff. It's fun.

Make sure when you are heating wax, that it doesn't get to hot or it will spatter, and can burn you. Also when pouring, pour very slowly and when the wax has been poured completely out of the pitcher, then wipe it out with a thick papertowel, like Viva (not a rag, because it will be ruined) and wipe out pitcher (be careful not to burn yourself) before letting cool, or melting different color. Be prepared to make a mess. Line all counters/tables with newspaper. All utensils and pans/pots you use, make sure you don't want to use them for food anymore. I use old coffee mugs for small candle molds.

Answer 5

100

Answer 6

cant help you, Sorry!