Essential Oils Candle Making Instructions
Essential oil is concentrated oil extracted from natural products such as flowers, fruits, and other parts of plants. It takes a large amount of plant material to make a small amount of oil, giving the oil a concentrated fragrance. Essential oils have been used in perfume making for thousands of years, and some also have medicinal qualities. When used in candle making, essential oils create naturally fragrant and potentially beneficial candles.
Things You'll Need
- Double boiler pot
- 16 ounces candle wax
- 16 ounce glass jar
- Candle wick with tab base
- Wick sticky wax
- Craft stick
- Candle thermometer
- 1 wax dye chip
- Metal spoon
- 1 ounce essential oil
Instructions
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1
Heat water in the double boiler pot to the boiling point, and then reduce to a low boil. Place wax in the inner pot and place over the outer pot to begin melting the wax.
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2
While the wax is melting, clean the glass jar and insert the wick into the center of the jar. Use a small amount of sticky wax to secure the wick tab to the bottom of the jar. Wind the excess wick around the craft stick until the stick lies across the jar opening to prevent the wick from shifting to the side during pouring.
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3
Check the wax with the candle thermometer until it reaches the temperature recommended by the wax manufacturer. Remove the wax-filled inner pot from the water and add the dye chip. Stir gently with a metal spoon until the chip is completely melted.
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4
Stir the essential oil into the colored wax. Let the wax cool until it is just above melting temperature. Letting the wax cool before you pour it will help prevent sinking around the wick as it hardens.
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5
Slowly pour the wax into the glass jar until it reaches about 1 inch from the top. Make sure the wick is centered and taut on the craft stick.
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6
Allow the candle to harden. If any sinking occurs, melt the leftover wax to fill in the sunken area. Wait 2 to 7 days for the candle to cure before burning.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For a wide-mouth jar, use two wicks for a more even burn.
Instead of using a double boiler, you can use wax that's safe to melt in the microwave. For large batches of wax, consider buying a wax melting pot.
Cajun's Candles advises: "Never melt wax on your stove unless you are using the double boiler method. Never melt wax on or in anything that does not have some form of temperature control because wax does have a flash point and will burst into flames without warning once it reaches that point. Depending on the wax the flash point may be between 290 [and] 380 degrees."
Be careful when you're pouring melted wax to prevent burning your skin.
Essential oils can be flammable so be sure to stir them in after the wax is cooled and keep them away from direct heat.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit candle image by isisdiamond from Fotolia.com
