Introduction
Soy candles are an all-natural, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles. Unlike paraffin, which is derived from petroleum and produces toxic black soot when burned, soy wax is made from hydrogenated vegetable oils and doesn’t produce any smoke or soot. Soy candles also burn slower than paraffin candles; making them easier on the wallet! In addition to being more cost effective, soy candles have a myriad of other benefits such as moisturising your air with natural aroma oils and releasing fragrances that are designed to encourage relaxation. Making your own homemade soy candles is an accessible and fun home project for those who enjoy working with their hands. By making your own soy candle you can ensure that the ingredients used to make it are all natural, reducing any potential environmental hazards caused by burning unknown chemicals. There are even many fragrance oils available in stores exclusively for candle makers that cater to specific scents such as florals and citrus! Crafting a unique blend of essential oil scents helps add another level of customization to your homemade soy candle creations. Furthermore, homemade craft fairs allow you the opportunity to showcase handcrafted items such as custom-made buttermints (which go great with a cup of hot cocoa!) and handmade soy candle masterpieces. Not only do these gifts make wonderful gifts for others, but they also increase in worth over time as they “age gracefully”.
Gather Supplies
Materials: Soy wax flakes or soy wax beads, candle wicks, essential oils (optional).
Equipment: Double boiler, thermometer, heat gun or lighter.
Tools: Knife or scissors, popsicle stick and spoon.
Instructions:
1. Start by melting the soy wax in a double boiler on medium to low heat. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer until it reaches 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. While the wax is melting, prepare your container using a popsicle stick to hold the candle wick in place at the bottom of the container. Enabling the wick to stand upright without help will make sure that your soy candle burns evenly. Use a knife or scissors to trim your wick to about 1/4 inch above the top of your container if it’s longer than that.
3. If desired carefully add 2-3 drops of essential oils or fragrance into your melted soy wax for added scent and stir with a spoon . Keep in mind that different fragrances can change over time when blended with soy ” try experimenting with small quantities until you find the perfect scent!
4. Carefully pour the melted wax into your container, making sure not to move or disturb your wick position during this process. Optional: add decorative elements like dried herbs, glitter etc before it dries if desired.
5. If needed use a heat gun (or lighter) to direct heat onto any knots in candle wicks around 10 minutes after pouring; this will prevent excess smoke during use and promote an overall even burn throughout its lifespan using indirect heat only!
How to Select the Right Container
When selecting the containers for your soy candles, you should take time to consider several factors. The containers must be of high quality because they are going to be holding burning flames. You should also ensure that they are made of a material that will not break or crack under extreme heat. Additionally, you need to make sure that your container is appropriate for whichever type of wax you plan on using, as some waxes perform better in certain containers. For example, soy wax works best in ceramic and glass containers, whereas beeswax performs best in metal tins. Furthermore, you should look for containers with a wide mouth opening to allow for good air circulation around the candle which helps create an even burn. Finally, consider the design of the container: whether it has decorative textures or patterns engraved into it or if it has an ornate lid ” these details can help contribute to the overall effect of creating a beautiful candle.
Step-By-Step
1. Prepare your workspace: Before you get started with making your own soy candles, it is important to set up a designated space that is safe and well ventilated. Make sure to cover any surfaces where you will be working so that the wax does not spill and damage the surface.
2. Gather materials: Once you’ve secured a safe workspace, go ahead and gather the supplies that you’ll need in order to make your soy candles. You should have soy wax flakes, candle wicks, candle dye (optional), fragrance oil (optional), earthenware or glass containers, melting pot, heat resistant measuring cup, skewers, scissors and stirring paddle or spoons.
3. Measure ingredients: Determine how much wax you will need for your container by measuring out one ounce of wax flakes for each 1/4 inch depth of your container’s height. Once you know the amount of wax needed for your container, add about 10-15% more since some of the wax will be lost during melting and burning. To calculate this add-on amount of wax to the total weight needed for your project divide the total weight by 0.9 to determine adequate amounts of wax flakes to account for potential losses while producing a greater yield.
4. Melt soy wax: In order to start making your soy candles fill halfway Your melting vessels with water before heating it on low” medium flame in an electric stove or burner . Once heated add all your measured out-wax flakes into heated water gradually stirring in between until completely melted down completely and remove from heat such that no fumes are released from melted Soy Wax leftovers or smouldering candles later in time after usage .
5. Add fragrances/dyes: For adding scent and colour , wait till all Soy Wax has entirely melted down after which can allow some time for temperature regulation depending on what kind of scents being used . Slowly stir fragrances at a rate of 1 tsp per pound of mixed Soy Wax while continuously monitoring thermal readings please ensure Fragrance Oils are mixed with all other ingredients before pouring them into moulds
6. Pour into moulds: Make surethe molten Soy Wax is between 185-195 degrees Fahrenheit before pouring it inside candle moulds there can be minor height adjustments as needed required after which vouch off surfaces using extra bits by cutting more properly when golded up carefully but firmly against sides
7 Allow cooling & hardening process : Now leave mixture once transferred into its desired mould undisturbed as Soy Wax needs at least 4 hours depending on size and complexity of candle for cooling , removal from Molds and hardening naturally via (Cure process ) once done cut off top layer one inch long from top if required otherwise leave it leave sharp angles untouched if desired . There might be chances when some stains may appear post curing period due to use of certain dyes should go away automatically eventually depending on temperatures being utilized by individual maker .
Adding Aroma
When making your own soy candles, deciding on the best scent can seem a little daunting. But, if you take the time to think through the process and get familiar with the different characteristics of essential oils versus fragrance oils as well as identify which notes or scents you prefer, selecting your own custom aroma for your candles can be quite simple!
Essential oils are extracted directly from plants and contain the plant’s natural compounds, giving them more true-to-life scents. On the other hand, fragrance oils are made from synthetic compounds that imitate natural fragrances so they are not completely natural. Fragrance oils also tend to be stronger than essential oil aromas. Depending on what type of candle you’re looking to create, one may be better than the other in terms of achieving the desired results.
Additionally, it helps to narrow things down by considering what main notes or smells you’re drawn to when sniffing out potential aromas. You can look at online descriptions for candle scents which typically indicate three main notes: top note (the most intense), middle note (for added complexity), and base note (most muted). Knowing which primary aroma is most pleasing will help guide your selections so that each candle has a pleasing scent all its own! Experienced candle makers often suggest combining multiple variations and experimenting with ratios until you find something you love. With some patience and creativity, creating your own signature scent for soy candles can be both satisfying and fun!
Finishing
Once you have filled your candle container and allowed it to fully cool, the next step is finishing your candle and achieving a professional look. Achieving a nice finish requires patience and focus. Here are some tips to help you create the best quality soy candle:
First, trim away any excess wax from the top of your candle with a sharp knife or tool. Ensure that the wick is centered at the very top in order to achieve an even burn when lit.
Next, use rubbing alcohol to smooth over any air bubbles and ridges left on the surface of your candle’s wax. Use circular motions with your fingers over the surface of the wax until you’ve achieved a perfectly smooth finish.
Now it’s time to embellish! You can make use of decorations such as natural herbs, flower petals, wood slices or decorative figures in order to decorate and personalize your neat work of art! Place these adornments securely around the edge of the rim for each added texture and color effect. Once all desired decorations have been attached, spray a thin layer of fixative or clear lacquer over them so they stay firmly attached while burning. This is especially important if there are dried herbs included in your craft!
Finally, attach an appropriate-sized wick sticker to keep your wick secure around its base within the container. Then display or gift your beautifully crafted soy candles proudly!
Burning & Maintenance
Once you’ve made your own soy candles you’ll need to know how to maintain them. For the best experience, soy candles should be burned for no more than four hours at a time. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch before each burn time and keep an eye out for the blackened ‘mushroom’ top on the wick, this is a sign it needs trimming again. In addition, never let the wax pool go all the way to the jar walls while burning as this can cause glass breakage or even fire hazard. If you ever detect smoke coming from your candle as it burns, then extinguish and re-trim your wick before lighting again. Finally, make sure your candle sits on a protected heatproof surface so that there is no chance of any other item becoming damaged by its heat. With these essentials in mind you will always enjoy safe and efficient burning of your homemade soy candles!
Troubleshooting
Common Problem 1: Candles Not Burning Smoothly
Solution: Make sure to keep the wick trimmed and check to see if it is centered in the candle. If the wick isn’t trimmed and/or not centered, it can lead to uneven burning. To ensure an even burn, your flame should never be larger than the diameter of the candle. It’s also important to pay attention to where you place your candles; they should be kept away from drafts and air currents that can cause the flame to flicker or extinguish.
Common Problem 2: Low Flame Height
Solution: A low flame height could be due to a few things. First, make sure that you’ve created enough scent throw for your candles”this means whether or not you upgraded your soy wax percentage before pouring by adding more fragrance oil. The higher the amount of scent, the stronger the flame will burn. Additionally, soy wax has a lower melt point than typical paraffin which produces a lower flame overall so those needs to be taken into consideration as well. Lastly, consider using wood wicks instead of cotton wicks. Wood wicks create larger flames because of their higher BTUs (British thermal units).
Conclusion
Making your own soy candles has a host of benefits. Not only can you save money, but you also get to customize the colors and scents to your preference. Additionally, making soy candles is both an enjoyable and educational experience while also providing a feeling of accomplishment when they are finished. Soy candles burn cleaner, last longer, and have a lower melting point which makes them safer than traditional paraffin wax options. Lastly, a handmade candle from soy products can make for a great personalized gift for friends or family members!
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
