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Step 1
Place a candle-pouring pot or a similar metal pot onto a heat source. The heat source can be a stovetop or a hot plate. Many candle makers choose a hot plate because the wax can be difficult to clean off a stovetop if the wax drips onto it.
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Step 2
Put the paraffin wax into the pot. Some paraffin wax is sold in small packages of wax that is shaped to fit into a pot for easy melting. If the wax is bought in bulk, it may be packaged in larger slaps of up to 11 lbs. each. Cut larger slabs of wax into smaller pieces that can be placed into the pot. An old serrated knife will cut through the paraffin more efficiently than a smooth-edged knife.
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Step 3
Add candle color and scent. Both items come in either solid or liquid form. Liquid candle scent generally lasts longer while either solid or liquid candle color will provide an effective pigment to the paraffin. Most candle scents are made to add 1/2 to 1 oz. scent to 1 lb. paraffin wax. Liquid candle color is often made to add in similar amounts while solid candle color comes in small chips. Shave small pieces of candle color away from the color chips with a knife and add the color to the paraffin slowly until you have the color you want.
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Step 4
Pour the paraffin into a candle mold once the wax has become liquid. Watch the wax carefully so that it doesn't get too hot. Putting a thermometer made for wax use will show you whether the wax is getting too hot by measuring the temperature against red danger zones. Another way to make sure that the wax doesn't get too hot is to increase the temperature slowly and to pour it as soon as the wax has melted.
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Step 5
Keep the wax in the candle mold for several hours without disturbing it to make sure it has time to cool. If the candle mold is large, the wax may shrink visibly into the center of the mold. Fill this sinkhole with more wax to make it reach the height of the surrounding wax. Remove the candle from the mold only after you are sure the candle has hardened. The time needed may be only 2 or 3 hours for a small candle or 8 to 10 hours for a larger one.
