Essential Candle Making Tools

Tool Category Basic Tools Advanced Tools Price Range Purpose
Melting Double boiler, microwave-safe container Wax melter, electric melting pot $20-150 Melting wax safely and evenly
Measuring Kitchen scale, measuring cups Digital scale, graduated cylinders $15-80 Precise wax and fragrance ratios
Temperature Candy thermometer Digital thermometer, infrared gun $10-50 Monitoring wax temperature
Pouring Pouring pitcher, ladle Heat-resistant pouring pot, spout cups $15-60 Clean, controlled wax pouring
Wick Work Wick stickers, centering device Wick bars, wick trimmer, wick dipper $10-40 Proper wick placement and maintenance
Finishing Heat gun, craft knife Wick trimmer, candle snuffer, polishing cloth $20-75 Professional finishing touches

Wax Types and Properties

Wax Type Melting Point Burn Time Scent Throw Best For Cost Level
Soy Wax 120-180°F Long Good cold, moderate hot Container candles, beginners Low-Medium
Beeswax 145-147°F Very long Natural honey scent Pillar candles, natural products High
Paraffin 115-142°F Medium Excellent hot throw Scented candles, votives Low
Coconut Wax 100-107°F Long Excellent Luxury candles, blends High
Palm Wax 125-135°F Long Good Pillar candles, eco-friendly Medium
Gel Wax 200°F+ Long Good Decorative candles, embeds Medium-High

Wick Selection Guide

Container Diameter Cotton Wick Size Wood Wick Width HTP Wick Size Burn Pool Notes
2-2.5 inches CD 8-10, ECO 4-6 0.5 inch 52-62 Small containers, votives
2.5-3 inches CD 12-14, ECO 8-10 0.625 inch 73-83 Standard jar candles
3-3.5 inches CD 16-18, ECO 12-14 0.75 inch 104-126 Medium containers
3.5-4 inches CD 20-22, ECO 16-18 1 inch 1212-1216 Large jar candles
4+ inches CD 24+, ECO 20+ 1.25+ inch Multiple wicks Wide containers, 3-wick candles

Fragrance Oil Guidelines

Wax Type Max Fragrance Load Recommended Load Flash Point Temperature to Add
Soy Wax 10-12% 6-10% 185°F+ 185°F
Paraffin 12-15% 8-12% 180°F+ 185°F
Beeswax 6-8% 3-6% 185°F+ 160°F
Coconut Wax 12-15% 8-12% 185°F+ 185°F
Palm Wax 10-12% 6-10% 185°F+ 185°F

Temperature Guidelines

Process Step Soy Wax Paraffin Beeswax Coconut Wax Critical Notes
Melting 170-180°F 160-170°F 160-170°F 160-170°F Don’t overheat wax
Add Fragrance 185°F 185°F 160°F 185°F Match fragrance flash point
Add Dye 185°F 185°F 160°F 185°F Add with or before fragrance
Pouring 135-145°F 135-145°F 155-165°F 110-120°F Container temp matters
Cool Down Room temp Room temp Room temp Room temp Avoid drafts, vibration

Container Selection

Container Type Max Temperature Wick Compatibility Safety Features Best Wax Types
Glass Jars 400°F+ All wick types Heat-resistant, stable base Soy, paraffin, coconut
Tin Containers 400°F+ Cotton, HTP wicks Metal conducts heat Soy, palm wax
Ceramic Vessels 500°F+ All wick types Non-conductive, decorative All wax types
Teacups/Vintage Variable Small wicks only Check for cracks Soy, beeswax
Wood Containers Not recommended None Fire hazard Use with metal insert only

Candle Dyes and Colours

Dye Type Usage Rate Colour Intensity Wax Compatibility Mixing Notes
Liquid Dyes 0.5-1% Moderate to strong All wax types Easy to blend, consistent
Dye Blocks Small shavings Strong Paraffin, soy blends Heat to dissolve completely
Powder Dyes 0.1-0.5% Very strong All wax types Pre-dissolve in small amount of wax
Natural Colours 1-3% Subtle Soy, beeswax Turmeric, beetroot, spirulina
Mica Powders 1-2% Shimmer effect All wax types Creates metallic finish

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem Possible Causes Solutions Prevention
Tunneling Wick too small, short burn times Use larger wick, burn 1 hour per inch diameter Proper wick testing
Mushrooming Wick too large, high fragrance load Trim wick, reduce fragrance Test wick sizes thoroughly
Poor Scent Throw Low fragrance load, wrong wax type Increase fragrance %, try different wax Use recommended fragrance loads
Wet Spots Temperature shock, wrong pour temp Pour at correct temp, pre-warm containers Control cooling environment
Cracking Cooling too quickly, high pour temp Cool slowly, lower pour temperature Avoid drafts during cooling
Frosting Natural soy wax characteristic Embrace natural look or use additives Part of soy wax charm

Safety Guidelines

Safety Category Essential Practices Equipment Needed Emergency Procedures
Fire Safety Never leave melting wax unattended Fire extinguisher, smoke detector Smother wax fires with lid
Burns Prevention Use gloves, aprons, closed shoes Heat-resistant gloves, long sleeves Cool water for minor burns
Ventilation Work in well-ventilated area Exhaust fan, open windows Fresh air if feeling dizzy
Chemical Safety Read all fragrance oil safety sheets Safety glasses, respirator if needed Eye wash station access
Storage Keep materials away from heat sources Cool, dry storage containers Proper labeling of all materials

Candle Care Instructions for Customers

Care Aspect Instructions Frequency Safety Notes
First Burn Burn until full melt pool forms Initial use only Usually 1 hour per inch diameter
Wick Trimming Trim to 1/4 inch before each use Every burn Prevents mushrooming, soot
Burn Time Maximum 4 hours at a time Each session Prevents overheating
Extinguishing Use snuffer or wick dipper End of each use Avoid blowing out (smoke, wax splatter)
Storage Keep in cool, dry place When not in use Away from direct sunlight

Business Considerations

Aspect Small Batch Medium Production Commercial Scale Key Factors
Initial Investment $100-500 $500-2000 $2000+ Equipment, materials, workspace
Time per Candle 30-45 minutes 15-20 minutes 5-10 minutes Including prep and finishing
Profit Margins 60-80% 50-70% 40-60% Material costs vs retail price
Legal Requirements Basic labeling Insurance, permits FDA compliance, certifications Varies by location and scale
Testing Time 2-4 weeks 4-6 weeks 6-12 weeks Proper burn testing essential