How to Make Container Candles

Container candles are made using non-combustible containers, such as glass jars, crock pots, and tin jars. They are pretty easy to make, and you can use a variety of fragrances and colors that can be tailored for any occasion.

Container candles are popular for the fact that they give off strong scents and do not drip. They also tend to last longer than other types of candles.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wax
• Double boiler
• Thermometer
• Color chips
• Scented oil
• Knife
• Pre-tabbed wick
• Hot glue gun
• Container of your choice
• Scissors

1. Start by melting your wax using a double boiler. Clip a thermometer onto the side of the boiler to check for when the wax reaches between 170 to 175 degrees F.

2. Mix color chips into your wax once it has melted completely. Add the color chips gradually and check the color regularly by placing some of the wax on a piece of white paper. Keep adding color to get the shade that you desire. Just remember that you cannot take out color out of the wax, so be sure to do this step slowly.

3. Next, add scented oil to your wax. Be sure to blend the scented oil in completely using a wire whisk for the best results. As with the color chips above, add a little scent at a time until you reach the desired strength that you want.

4. Pre-tabbed wicks are the most popular types of wicks to use in candlemaking because they are primed and ready to be used immediately. You will want to straighten your pre-tabbed wick as best you can. Secure the wick in the center of the container that you are using to house your candle by using a hot glue gun.

5. Now you will want to warm the container that you are using for your candle by placing it in an oven on low heat for about 10 minutes. The purpose of this step is to help the wax bind to the container's surface, and lessen the amount of bubbles that you might otherwise get in the wax. Do not run your container under hot water to warm it because any water that gets into the container will ruin your candle.

6. Start pouring the wax into the container. Do this slowly while holding the wick in place with one hand. Once the wick feels stable, you can stop holding it. If you are using a lid on your container, only fill it up with wax three-quarters of the way. If you are not using a lid, you can fill it up all the way.

7. As the candle begins to cool it will naturally sink in the center. To remedy this problem, simply reheat leftover wax and pour it into the depression until it is filled up evenly. In fact, you should let the reheated wax just barely layer over your first pouring to prevent seam lines in the candle.

8. Let the candle cool for at least 24 hours to be sure that it has settled completely. Trim the wick using a pair of scissors to length that you desire. That's it!

Tips & Warnings

• You can create layers of colors with a container candle. You need to let each layer cool completely before adding a new color, as colors will blend, rendering results that you did not intend for.
• Do not let children near the heated wax or a candle flame.
• Use candles on heat-resistant surfaces only!
• Do not leave a candle that is burning unattended.