Making Dipped Candles

Dipping is the traditional way to make candles. Dipped candles have a beautiful tapered shape and can be made in a solid color, or translucent effects can be created by adding a coating of dyed wax to a basic white candle. The technique is simple - repeating the wick priming process over and over again. By repeatedly dipping the wick in molten wax, you can build up any thickness of candle. The candles are dipped in a dipping can standing in a large pan of hot water - or you can use any tall metal or heatproof glass container. Candles are usually dipped in pairs and separated when they are cool.

 Basic dipped candles making procedure:

 The materials listed for this project are sufficient to make six candles, 250mm (lOin) tall and 12-20mm (!/4-%in) in diameter.

1. Stand the dipping can in a saucepan half full of water; heat the water until the wax reaches a temperature of 71°C (160°F). Turn the heat down and soak a pair of wicks in the wax for one minute. Hang them up to dry.

2. When the wicks are cool, dip them back into the wax for about three seconds then allow them to cool for one to four minutes, depending on the room temperature.

3. Repeat the process until the candle is thick enough. If a wrinkled surface develops, the wax beneath the outer skin is still 'liquid' and is moving during dipping - wait longer between dips to rectify this.

 Learn to Make Over Dipped Candles

 Dramatic effects can be achieved with this simple technique. Once you have dipped your candles, add a further 600g (1 lb 5oz) of paraffin wax to the dipping can, heat it to 82°C (180°F) and add two dye discs.

 Spiral candles

While dipped candles are still warm, they are malleable enough to model into other shapes. A spiral candle is simply a dipped candle flattened and then twisted.

 1. Use a dampened rolling pin on a damp surface to roll a warm dipped candle flat, working it down to about 6mm ('Ain) thick. Do not roll the lower section, as this will be placed into a candle holder.

 2. Twist the candle into a spiral by turning your hand as you draw your fingers up the taper. Keep twisting it until you are satisfied with the spiral. Trim the base flat and allow the candle to cool for one hour.

 Make Candle Using Templates: 

As an alternative to traditional dipped candles, you can make your own wax sheets by dipping flat templates into liquid wax.

 Properly cut and smoothed 6mm ('Ain) thick glass makes an excellent template, but good quality plywood of the same thickness can be used. Allow room for holding the template during dipping; attach a string loop at the top to hang it up with during the cooling process.

If you are using a wooden template, first soak it in water, then wipe off any excess.

The quantities given for this project are sufficient to make a large quantity of candles. This amount of wax is required so as to fill the dipping cans. Any wax that you do not use, may be reheated and used again at a later date.

Begin by dividing the wax in half and transferring each half into separate dipping cans. Add chalky white dye to one of the cans, and a colored dye to the other. Heat the wax (see step 1).