Candle Make Guide

Your Complete Resource for DIY Candle Making

Start Making Beautiful Candles at Home

Candle making is a rewarding craft that lets you create personalized, fragrant candles for your home or as thoughtful gifts. Whether you're looking to start a new hobby or explore a potential small business, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Getting Started with Candle Making

Why Make Your Own Candles?

  • Cost savings - Homemade candles cost a fraction of premium store-bought ones
  • Custom scents - Create unique fragrance combinations tailored to your preferences
  • Natural ingredients - Control exactly what goes into your candles
  • Creative outlet - Express yourself through colors, containers, and designs
  • Perfect gifts - Handmade candles make thoughtful, personalized presents

What You'll Need to Begin

Starting candle making doesn't require a huge investment. Here's the basic equipment:

Wax

The foundation of your candle. Soy wax is ideal for beginners due to its easy cleanup and excellent scent throw.

Wicks

Pre-tabbed cotton wicks are beginner-friendly. The right size depends on your container diameter.

Containers

Heat-safe vessels like glass jars, tins, or ceramic containers to hold your candle.

Fragrance Oils

Specifically formulated for candles. Essential oils can work but fragrance oils provide stronger scent throw.

Melting Pot

A double boiler or dedicated wax melting pot for safely heating wax.

Thermometer

Essential for monitoring wax temperature. Proper temperatures are crucial for good candles.

Starter Kit Recommendation

If you want everything in one package, the SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit includes soy wax, jars, tins, fragrance oils, dye blocks, wicks, and all the tools you need to make your first candles.

Check Price on Amazon

Essential Candle Making Supplies

Basic Tools

Tool Purpose Tips
Pouring Pot Melting and pouring wax Stainless steel with a pour spout works best
Thermometer Monitoring wax temperature Digital or analog, range should cover 100-200°F
Scale Measuring wax and fragrance Digital kitchen scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Wick Centering Device Keeping wicks centered while wax sets Wooden or metal holders, or use chopsticks
Wick Stickers Adhering wicks to container bottom Double-sided adhesive dots designed for heat
Heat Gun Smoothing tops, fixing imperfections Optional but very helpful for finishing

Quality Pouring Pot

A good pouring pot makes candle making much easier. The 32oz Stainless Steel Candle Making Pouring Pot features a heat-resistant handle and dripless spout for precise pouring.

See on Amazon

Understanding Candle Wax Types

Soy Wax

Best for Beginners
  • Made from soybean oil
  • Burns cleaner with less soot
  • Excellent scent throw
  • Easy water cleanup
  • Longer burn time
  • Renewable and biodegradable

Melt Point: 115-135°F

Fragrance Load: 6-12%

Best For: Container candles

Paraffin Wax

Traditional Choice
  • Petroleum-based
  • Strong scent throw
  • Wide variety of melt points
  • Takes color well
  • Most affordable option
  • Available in many formulas

Melt Point: 120-180°F (varies)

Fragrance Load: 6-10%

Best For: Pillars, votives, containers

Beeswax

Natural Option
  • Natural bee product
  • Subtle honey scent
  • Purifies air while burning
  • Long burn time
  • Harder wax, less fragrance
  • Higher cost

Melt Point: 144-149°F

Fragrance Load: 3-6%

Best For: Pillars, tapers

Coconut Wax

Premium Choice
  • Made from coconut oil
  • Excellent scent throw
  • Creamy appearance
  • Burns slowly and cleanly
  • Often blended with other waxes
  • Higher price point

Melt Point: 100-107°F

Fragrance Load: 10-12%

Best For: Luxury container candles

Soy Wax Recommendations

For beginners, we recommend starting with soy wax. Two popular options from The Candlemaker's Store:

Soy 444

Best for container candles in smaller jars. Has additives for smooth tops. Holds up to 15% fragrance.

Check Price

Soy 464

The most popular soy wax. Single-pour formula with excellent hot and cold throw. Great all-around choice.

Check Price

Choosing the Right Wick

Wick selection is one of the most important factors in candle making. The wrong wick size leads to poor burning, tunneling, or excessive smoke.

Wick Size Guide

Container Diameter Recommended Wick Size Burn Pool
1.5" - 2" Small (ECO 2, CD 5) Full melt pool in 2-3 hours
2" - 2.5" Small-Medium (ECO 4, CD 8) Full melt pool in 3-4 hours
2.5" - 3" Medium (ECO 6, CD 10) Full melt pool in 3-4 hours
3" - 3.5" Medium-Large (ECO 10, CD 12) Consider double wicks
3.5"+ Multiple wicks recommended Even burn across surface

Wick Types

Cotton Core (CD Series)

Braided cotton with paper threads. Self-trimming, curls while burning. Good for paraffin and soy blends.

ECO Series

Cotton with paper threads, flat braid. Designed specifically for natural waxes like soy. Minimal mushrooming.

Wooden Wicks

Create a crackling sound while burning. Aesthetic appeal but require specific sizing and can be tricky for beginners.

Pre-Waxed Cotton Wicks

Pre-waxed wicks are ready to use right out of the package. The EricX Light 100-Piece Natural Candle Wick set includes 6" pre-waxed 100% cotton core wicks perfect for container candles.

See on Amazon

Adding Fragrance to Candles

Fragrance Oil vs. Essential Oil

Fragrance Oils

  • Specifically formulated for candles
  • Stronger scent throw
  • Wider variety of scents
  • More consistent results
  • Better value per ounce

Recommended for most candles

Essential Oils

  • 100% natural plant extracts
  • Lighter scent throw
  • Limited scent options
  • Some have low flash points
  • Higher cost

Good for natural/aromatherapy candles

Fragrance Load Guidelines

Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil relative to wax weight. Too little means weak scent; too much can cause issues.

Wax Type Recommended Load Maximum Load
Soy Wax (464) 8-10% 12%
Soy Wax (444) 10-12% 15%
Paraffin 6-8% 10%
Coconut/Soy Blend 10-12% 12%

Calculating Fragrance Amount

For a 10% fragrance load with 16 oz of wax:

16 oz wax × 0.10 = 1.6 oz fragrance oil

Use a digital scale for accurate measurements.

Fragrance Oil Set

The P&J Fragrance Oil Autumn Set includes six popular scents (Brown Sugar, Apple, Harvest Spice, Vanilla, Forest Pine, and Snickerdoodle) perfect for seasonal candles.

See on Amazon

Step-by-Step Candle Making Tutorial

Follow this guide to make your first soy wax container candle.

Materials Needed

  • Soy wax flakes
  • Pre-tabbed cotton wicks
  • Candle container (heat-safe)
  • Fragrance oil
  • Pouring pot or double boiler
  • Thermometer
  • Wick centering device
  • Wick stickers
  • Scale
1

Prepare Your Container

Clean your container thoroughly. Attach a wick sticker to the bottom of your wick tab and press firmly into the center of the container. Use a wick centering device to keep it straight.

2

Measure Your Wax

Weigh your wax. A general rule: the container's fluid ounce capacity roughly equals the ounces of wax needed. For a 8 oz jar, use about 8 oz of wax flakes.

3

Melt the Wax

Place wax in your pouring pot and heat using a double boiler method or wax melter. Heat to 170-180°F for soy wax. Stir occasionally for even melting. Never leave melting wax unattended.

4

Add Fragrance

Remove from heat and let wax cool to 135-145°F. Add your fragrance oil (8-10% of wax weight) and stir gently for 2 minutes to fully incorporate. Avoid creating air bubbles.

5

Add Color (Optional)

If using dye, add it while stirring in fragrance. Start with a small amount - dye is concentrated. Liquid dyes blend faster; blocks need more stirring.

6

Pour the Candle

Let wax cool to 120-140°F (check your wax specifications). Pour slowly and steadily into the container, leaving about 1/2" headspace. Avoid pouring too quickly to prevent air bubbles.

7

Allow to Cure

Let the candle cool at room temperature for 24 hours. Don't move it while setting. Soy candles benefit from a 1-2 week cure time for optimal scent throw.

8

Trim and Test

Trim the wick to 1/4" before lighting. Test burn your candle for at least 1 hour per inch of diameter to ensure proper melt pool and performance.

Temperature Monitoring

A good thermometer is essential for consistent results. The CandMak Candle Making Thermometer is compact, accurate, and designed specifically for candle making.

See on Amazon

Temperature Reference Chart

Stage Soy 464 Soy 444 Paraffin
Melt Point 115-120°F 119-125°F 130-150°F
Heat To 170-180°F 175-185°F 180-190°F
Add Fragrance 135-145°F 140-150°F 150-160°F
Pour Temp 120-140°F 125-145°F 150-170°F

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Tunneling

Wax burns down the center, leaving wax on the sides.

Fix: Wick is too small. Size up on your next candle. Ensure first burn creates a full melt pool.

Wet Spots

Visible patches where wax pulls away from glass.

Fix: Preheat containers, pour at lower temperature, or cool candles more slowly. This is cosmetic and doesn't affect burn.

Sinkholes

Cavities or holes form around the wick as wax cools.

Fix: Poke relief holes around wick after first pour sets. Do a second pour to fill. Or use a heat gun to melt and level top.

Frosting

White crystalline layer on soy candle surface.

Fix: Natural characteristic of soy wax. Won't affect performance. Minimize by pouring at lower temps.

Poor Scent Throw

Candle doesn't smell strong when burning.

Fix: Increase fragrance load (within limits). Allow longer cure time. Check that wick creates full melt pool. Try a different fragrance.

Mushrooming Wick

Carbon buildup creates mushroom shape on wick.

Fix: Wick may be too large. Trim wick to 1/4" before each burn. Some mushrooming is normal with certain wicks.

Smoking/Sooting

Black smoke or soot while burning.

Fix: Wick is too large. Keep away from drafts. Trim wick shorter. Check fragrance load isn't too high.

Rough/Bumpy Tops

Uneven, textured surface after cooling.

Fix: Use a heat gun to smooth. Pour at correct temperature. Let cool slowly away from drafts.

Choosing Candle Containers

Any heat-safe container can work for candles, but some options are better than others.

Container Options

Tins

Lightweight, portable, and great for travel candles. Won't shatter and hide wax imperfections. Available in various colors and sizes.

View 4oz Black Tins (24 pack) on Amazon

Glass Jars

Classic look that showcases the candle. Wide variety of shapes available. Check thickness - thicker glass is safer.

Ceramic

Elegant and reusable. Excellent heat retention. Make sure they're kiln-fired and designed for candles.

Container Safety Tips

  • Always use containers designed for candles
  • Avoid thin glass that may crack from heat
  • Don't use plastic or non-heat-safe materials
  • Leave at least 1/2" of wax at the bottom to prevent overheating

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I let my candle cure before burning?

Soy candles benefit from a 1-2 week cure time for optimal scent throw. Paraffin candles can typically be burned after 24-48 hours. While you can burn sooner, curing allows the fragrance to fully bind with the wax.

Why does my candle have white spots on the surface?

This is called "frosting" and is a natural characteristic of soy wax. It's caused by the crystalline structure of the wax and doesn't affect burning performance. It's actually a sign of pure soy wax.

How do I calculate how much wax I need?

Multiply your container's fluid ounce capacity by 0.9 to get approximate ounces of wax needed. For example, an 8 oz jar needs about 7.2 oz of wax. It's good to have extra for second pours.

Can I use essential oils instead of fragrance oils?

Yes, but essential oils typically have weaker scent throw in candles. Use oils with higher flash points (above 170°F) for best results. Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint work well. Citrus oils have lower flash points and may not perform as well.

What's the best wax for beginners?

Soy wax is ideal for beginners because it has a lower melting point, cleans up easily with soap and water, and is more forgiving with temperature variations. It also holds fragrance well and burns cleanly.

Why is my candle tunneling?

Tunneling happens when the wick is too small or the first burn didn't create a full melt pool. Always burn your candle until the wax melts to the edges on the first burn, typically 1 hour per inch of diameter.

Candle Making Safety

Never Leave Wax Unattended

Wax is flammable. Always stay nearby when melting wax and never heat above recommended temperatures.

Use Proper Equipment

Use a double boiler or dedicated wax melter. Never microwave wax directly or use a direct flame.

Work in a Ventilated Area

Ensure good airflow when working with fragrance oils and heated wax. Some fragrances can be strong.

Have Supplies Ready

Keep baking soda nearby for wax fires (never use water). Have a fire extinguisher accessible.

Protect Yourself

Hot wax causes burns. Work carefully and consider heat-resistant gloves when handling hot containers.

Store Materials Safely

Keep fragrance oils away from heat and flames. Store wax in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.