How to Make Soy Candle Chips
Soy wax can be used to make paraffin candles and other scented candles. Soy candles are the simplest candles to make, and thus a good project for beginning candle-makers. The process requires few ingredients and only soap and water for clean-up, and regular kitchen utensils can be used safely for making soy candles. Once the candles are made, chips can be cut off to give as samples or gifts. Candle chips are used in warmers to spread light scent in a room.
Things You'll Need
- 1 pound soy wax
- 1 ounce fragrance oil
- 1/2 pound dye chips
- Candy thermometer
- Baking sheet
Instructions
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Add 1 pound of soy wax to a double boiler and heat the wax to 185 degrees. Ecosoya CB 135 soy wax is most commonly used to make scented candles, but other varieties, like 444 soy wax and Golden Brands 415 soy wax can be used. You can find soy wax at most hobby and craft stores.
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2
Add dye chips to the heated wax and stir thoroughly while you continue heating. Use one color instead of mixing colors. A 1/2 pound of colored chips will give your desired shade of color; put in a few chips at a time at first. If small colored spots begin to appear at the bottom of the candles when you're done, it's because you put the dye chips in when the wax wasn't hot enough.
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Add 1 ounce of fragrance oil. The type of fragrance is up to you, but one way to choose the fragrance is to match it to the color, such as lavender oil for shades of purple or rose oil for pink or red. Stir the mixture quickly and remove the double boiler from heat.
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Let the wax cool to around 125 degrees; it's important not to let it cool too much.
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Pour the wax mixture onto a baking sheet, filling it up but not letting it overflow. You should use another baking sheet if you have any leftover wax.
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Place plastic wrap over the baking sheet and let the candle wax cool overnight at room temperature for the best results. Use a knife to break off chunks (chips) of the candle wax the next day; the pieces will look like peanut brittle.
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