How to Make Clear Candles
Transparent candles, also known as gel candles, make for great souvenirs or party favors for weddings, baby showers and birthday parties. Not only do they look modern, they also have a significantly longer burning time than traditional opaque wax candles. Making your own gel candles is easy and safe, and it allows you to customize their colors, scents and shapes according to your mood, preferences and style. You can even embed small objects in the gel -- such as little hearts in a pink candle for Valentine's Day or fish in a blue candle for a maritime-themed bash!
Things You'll Need
- Glass measuring cup or cooking dish
- Gel wax
- Candy thermometer
- Glass containers, such as jars or cups
- Hot glue gun
- Pre-tabbed zinc-core wicks
- Pencils
- Scotch tape or masking tape
- Metal stirring implement
- Gel wax liquid dye (optional)
- Gel-safe fragrant oil (optional)
- Toothpick
- Embeddable objects, such as small toys (optional)
- Long tweezers (optional)
Instructions
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1
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees.
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2
Cut your gel wax into cubes and place them in the glass measuring cup or baking dish. Place this into the oven and allow the wax to melt. This will take approximately an hour, depending on the density of the wax. Measure its temperature periodically, being careful not to let it get hotter than 230 degrees.
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3
While the wax is in the oven, thoroughly wash and dry your glass containers. Glue a zinc-core wick to the bottom of each one with a dollop of hot glue. Tape the top of each wick to a pencil and lay the pencil across the top of each container to keep the wick standing up.
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4
When the wax has reached approximately 225 degrees, remove it from the oven. Stir it with the metal implement to make sure it is completely liquefied. Make sure there are no lumps.
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If you are using a dye, dip a toothpick in the dye and swirl it around in the wax. Stir thoroughly. If the color isn't deep enough, repeat.
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6
Measure the temperature of the wax. If it is cooler than 200 degrees, put it back in the oven to re-melt it.
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If you are using a fragrance, add the oil. Use 1/2 ounce of oil for each pound of wax. Stir thoroughly, because stray pockets of oil can burst into flame when the candle is lit.
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Measure the temperature of the wax again. If it is lower than 185 degrees, put it back in the oven to re-melt it.
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9
Pour the melted candle wax into the glass containers, making sure to pour slowly and leave about a half inch between the wax and the rim of the container.
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10
If you are embedding objects into your candle, dip them in melted wax and then carefully position them in the freshly poured candle with tweezers. Be sure to position them at least an inch away from the wick.
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Allow the candle to set completely, which will take one to two hours depending on the density of the wax and the size of the container. Remove the tape from the pencil and trim the wick to about 1/4 inch.
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Tips & Warnings
Gel wax is sold in three different densities. The lowest density is CLP; medium is CHP; and highest is CHP, which can hold the most scent and floating objects, as well as being easier to layer.
If you prefer, you can melt the gel wax on your stove top using a double boiler or glass bowl set on top of a pot full of boiling water. Just be sure to monitor the temperature carefully, and make sure that no water gets into the wax.
Be sure to use dyes and scents that are specifically made for gel candles.
To make a gel candle with different-colored layers, allow the first layer to set completely before pouring in the next.
For a bubbly-looking candle, stir the wax with a wooden spoon directly before pouring it into the glass.
Wear a heat-proof apron and gloves while doing this project, in addition to eye protection in case any glassware shatters unexpectedly.
It is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher or some sand handy.
Do not add essential oils or paraffin wax scents to your gel candles under any circumstances. Also, be sure any objects you embed in the candles are not flammable.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit blue candle image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com
