How to Make a Candle Dipping Ring

Create dripless taper candles by dipping into the wax with a high temperature melt point for the final dip.

Make taper candles by dipping a wick into tallow or candle wax. Dipped candles are made in pairs by draping a length of wick over a hook and lowering both ends of the wick into candle wax at one time. The candle grows as each dip applies a layer of wax to the candle. A dipping ring allows you to make multiple candles at one time. Make your own candle dipping ring with simple household items.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 12-inch aluminum pot lid
• Drill with metal bit
• Clothes hanger wire
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Shoelaces

1. Place the aluminum pot lid on a wooden surface. Drill 3/8-inch holes in the lid 3 1/2- inches apart around the outer perimeter of the pot lid. Drill an even number of holes, depending upon the size of your lid.

2. Cut the clothes hanger wire or other heavy gauge wire into 8 1/2-inch lengths. Cut one length of wire for every two holes.

3. Bend each length of wire and turn 2 1/2-inches up on each end, leaving a straight space in the middle the width of the distance between the holes in the pot. Think of the bent parts as if they are legs. Insert the legs through two adjacent holes, with the straight section of wire resting on top of the pot lid between the two holes.

4. Using pliers, turn up 1/2-inch of wire on each of the legs, creating hooks that are facing outward.

5. Follow steps 3 and for the remaining wire. You will now have as many wire hooks as you have holes around the perimeter of your pot lid. When you are ready for candle dipping, the wicks shared by two candles will be draped between two hooks, which will allow you to make one candle for every hook. After the candles are dipped, cut the wick in two and separate the candles.

6. Cut two pieces of shoelace, each 8-inches long. Tie each length of shoelace into a loop. Tie a slipknot in each loop.

7. Place the slipknot end of each loop over the knob of the pot lid. Make certain the loops are exactly opposite each other. Pull the slip knots tight. These loops will be used to hang the pot lid taper candle dipping ring, which will allow the candles to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Besides the holes for candle hook wires in your pot lid, you may drill additional holes in the lid in the area between the knob and the outer perimeter to provide peek slots, if desired.

References

• Candle Help: Easy Dip Tapers
• One Stop: Basic Taper Candle Dipping
• Peak Candle Supplies: Hand Dipper Tapers

Resources

• From Nature With Love: Candle Making Techniques: Dipping Candles
• Indoor Climbing: Tie Slip Knot