Candle Making Materials | Candle Wicks | Candle Oil

Candle Making Materials

The two essential ingredients for candles are wax and wicks. The wax burns and the wick transports liquid wax to the flame.

Wicking needle : 

This is a steel needle 100-250mm (4-10in) long. It is used to insert a wick into a mould and to secure the wick at the mould base.

Candle Wicks: 

Using the correct wick is very important. Candle wicks are made of specially braided cotton string - twine or cotton thread will not do! Most candles need a square braided wick which is produced in varying widths (see page 7) and graded according to the diameter of the finished candle: 12.5mm O/2in), 25mm (lin), and so on. However, if a candle's length is less than 150mm (6in) a thinner wick can be used. If the candle is more than 150mm (6in), use the correct sized wick.

Do not allow an unprimed wick to become damp, or the candle will not burn. Beeswax candles need a thicker, round braided wick of approximately twice the width needed for an ordinary candle.

A wire- or paper-cored wick is a stiffened wick which must be used with candles in containers.

Candle Wax:  

There is a range of waxes available; some have a variety of applications, others have specific uses.

Paraffin wax This odorless, colorless wax is a by-product of the oil industry. It is the most suitable wax for candle making, and is inexpensive, clean and available in blocks, or in easy-to-use pellets.

Dip and carve wax This wax retains its malleability at lower temperatures. It is therefore a good wax to use for modeling.

Beeswax Used since ancient times for luxury candles, beeswax is more expensive and more difficult to work with than paraffin wax. The reward is the rich, redolent aroma of natural wax. It is available in bleached white or untreated shades of brown, is wholly natural and when melted, the liquid is opaque and viscous, almost like syrup. Added to paraffin wax, even in small quantities, it will increase the burning time of a candle. Modem church candles, for instance, are made with 25% beeswax. However, if more than 10% is used in a molded candle, then a release agent must be applied to the mould beforehand.

Microcrystalline wax Also a by-product of the oil industry, this wax is opaque and yellow to off-white in color. Various microcrystalline waxes are blended with paraffin wax to extend the hardness or softness of the wax.

Over dipping wax This gives a high-gloss final coat to an ordinary paraffin wax candle. Chinese paraffin wax A cheap paraffin wax that is variable in quality and has a tendency to 'frost' internally and on the surface. Its peculiar translucent qualities can be exploited in candle making.

Candle Additives :  

Additives enhance the performance and appearance of candles. Stearin This is derived from palm oil and is used in most paraffin wax candles because it shrinks slightly on cooling, which helps release from moulds. It also improves the flame and burning time of a candle, and adds opacity and vibrancy to wax dyes - a useful ingredient indeed!

Plastic additive This is added to wax to improve its pliability. Vybar Stearin cannot be used in rubber moulds because it chemically rots them. Vybar is used instead to improve the burning time and color.

 Wax glue : 

This is a soft, sticky type of wax which is used to glue two pieces of wax together, or to apply decorations and cut-outs to the surface of a candle.

 Mould seal

A special reusable putty-like sealing compound used to secure the wick in the mould and to prevent the leakage of molten wax. It also prevents water from leaking into the mould while it is cooling in a water bath.