Candle Making Information

Candle making is at its heart a simple hobby- melt wax, pour into a prepared mould, and let it set. As with many things in life however, candle making has many facets and the deeper into it you get, the more complicated it becomes.

The simplest way to get started is with a candle making kit- these provide the basics of this absorbing hobby and allow you to produce simple yet effective candles. All our candle making kits are complete items- you don't need to purchase anything extra to produce colourful candles. Apart from what's in the box, you will need a saucepan and some old tin cans to melt the wax in.

When making candles, the three key choices you have are shape, colour and scent. Our beginner's candle making kits offer simple moulds and colours, which allow you to learn the basics but do not give huge scope for change. As you move up to the larger kits, you gain more choice, with several shapes of mould, choices of colour and scent supplied in the box. Colours can also be blended to give further shades and tones, plus you can use essential oils to scent the candles.

Many sites will stress the need for candle thermometers, mould release, and other esoteric items. These are all fine if you're really getting into candle making, but for fun, basic candles which are fine to use yourself or give to friends, you don't need anything other than what's already in the box. We're sometimes asked for tips on producing candles, and here are our most frequently asked questions:

1. Help! My candle won't come out of the mould! Sometimes candles stick inside the mould and can be a real pig to get out. Out top tip here is to pop the candle & mould in your freezer for 15 minutes or so, after which it will be easier to extract.
2. My candle is full of bubbles- why? There are a number of reasons for this, but the most common for beginners is that you've poured the wax too fast, or down the side of the mould, trapping air in the process. When pouring molten wax, it's best to pour slowly into the centre of the mould, which allows the wax to expel air as it fills the mould up.
3. How will I know when my wax is ready to pour? Candle wax melts at various temperatures, depending on the type. Without a thermometer, it's impossible to accurately gauge the temperature of the wax, but unless you're producing candles to sell it's not going to make a great deal of difference. Melt your wax slowly- don't leave it unattended- and once all the pellets have melted, give it another minute to ensure you've not missed any, then it's ready to pour.

Don't forget- you're using heat to melt something, so before you start, clear your surfaces, ensure that you have everything ready, and make certain that small children and pets are not close by!