Candlemaking - Equipment Needed For Home Candlemaking

ThermometerThis is needed for determining the capacity of a
If you want to make good quality candles, thenmould and is necessary if you are making a small
make sure that you have a candle makingnumber of candles for home use or as gifts for
thermometer. Waxes melt at particular temperaturesfriends. Fill your mould with water and then empty it
and different candles require different temperatures.into flask. For every 100mm of water you will need
Once wax is heated to a 100 degrees vapours areabout 90g of solid wax.
released and at this point it should be treated asWeighing scales
flammable oil.Ordinary kitchen scales are ideal for weighing
As wax gets hotter it's inner structure changes and itmaterials.
is impossible to guess the temperature of liquid wax,Wick needles
therefore, the only way that you can be sure thatThese are steel needles 10-25cm long and they are
you are working at the correct temperature, and getvery useful for inserting wicks and for securing the
good results, is to use the right sort of thermometer.wick at the base of the mould. Personally I use small
A clinical thermometer from the bathroom cabinet isrectangular pieces of wood with a hole drilled through
of no use, as you need one that is calibratedthe middle but this is only useful if your base is large
between 38 and 180 degrees. This may sound a bitenough to allow space to pour the liquid wax.
technical or make you want to put this hobby onBowls
hold for now, but it is really no big deal, you can goWashing-up bowls are ideal and you may need more
visit my blog for tips and advice or send me mail tothan one if you are making a few candles. A bowl of
get a quote and order a thermometer that will behot water is used to keep dipping cans at the right
mailed to you anywhere in the world.temperature, whilst cold water is used as a water
Double Boilerbath to speed up the cooling process.
This should be made of stainless steel or aluminium,Heat
and the upper part should have a capacity of at leastYou will need a source of heat for melting the wax.
3 litres. If necessary, then you can use one saucepanAn ordinary domestic cooker(gas or electric) is ideal.
standing inside another, although I personally do notTry to work a close as possible to your heat source,
use double boilers simply because it takes to long forbecause wax loses heat quite quickly when it is
my liking. I use any seamless pot even ones that youplaced on a cooler surface, it is quite the nuisance
get from some florist supplies, but generally any oldwhen you are making a number of candles and have
household pot or camping kettle is perfect forto run back and forth to reheat your wax.
melting wax.If you require further information you can visit my
Dipping canblog and post any questions you may have on candle
This is a tall cylindrical container used for holding liquidmaking or simply follow the blog for tips and advice. I
wax for dipping candles after removal from theam the owner of this blog and have been making
moulds. You also need these type of container forcandles for 13 years, and will personally answer your
making handmade dinner candle, which is one of myquestions.
all time favorites. I personally have several of theseI started this blog as a dedication to my late Mother
cans and one large 6 pot industrial double boiler. I gotand candle making partner to help others in their
a welding company to put together 500mm bycreative endeavors by supplying tips, advice,
100mm steel pipes with round bases and handles forequipment and materials. I currently have a ready to
me but if you have a friend or a handy husband thengo candle making kit available to those who would
you just need the steel.like to try this craft. Candle making is a relatively
Measuring flask or juginexpensive hobby.