How to Make Candles Using Ice

Ice candles are beautiful, delicate and have a unique sparkle.

Candles of any kind are magical and create a wonderland atmosphere. Ice candles add a unique sparkle and have an illusive quality because their beauty is short-lived and fleeting. They are beautiful and delicate and reminiscent of ice sculptures. An ice candle can become a shimmering centerpiece for your dinner table or, pardon the phrase, a conversation "ice breaker." Making ice candles is fun, easy, inexpensive, and allows you to add your own personal touch to any occasion.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bucket or tub container
• Small plastic cup or tin can
• Stick or wooden dowel
• Small rocks

Instructions

1. Fill your plastic bucket or container with tap water. You can create a colored ice candle by mixing a few drops of food coloring with the water when filling the bucket or container. Water expands as it freezes, so be sure to leave a little space at the top. Your candle can be any size you desire as long as it will fit into the freezer.

2. Place the cup or can in the water with the opening facing up. Fill the cup or can with small rocks to weigh it down but not to the point of sinking it. Lay the stick across the top of the ice candle container and tape it to the small cup or can to hold it in place. You are creating the well for the candle to sit in.

3. Put your ice candle container in the freezer and leave until the water is completely frozen.

   You can freeze your candle outside instead of the freezer if the night temperatures are around -10 degrees Celsius or 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the ice candle container on layers of newspaper, a folded blanket or piece of rug if you are leaving it outside.

4. Once frozen, turn your container upside down to remove the ice candle. Run warm water over the container's surface to loosen the candle if it remains stuck. Do this step over the sink or bathtub. Some unfrozen water may run out of the container while you are removing the ice candle.

5. Remove the small plastic cup or tin can from the center of the candle. If the can appears stuck in the ice, fill the can or cup with some warm water to loosen it from the ice.

6. Place a small candle in the well of your ice candle that was created by the small cup. Light the wick. You have the instant magic of ice candles. Place the ice candle in the freezer if you will not be using it immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Create colored stripes or a rainbow effect in your ice candle. Follow the basic instructions above. Pour 1/2 inch of tap water in your container. Mix in a few drops of food color. Place in the freezer until solidly frozen. Take the container out of the freezer and pour another 1/2 inch of very cold tap water that has been mixed with a different food color. Again, place the container in the freezer until frozen solid. Repeat this process using a variety of food colorings.

References

• Family Education -- Ice Candles
• Starlight -- How to Make Ice Candles