Quick Overview
Difficulty
Beginner-friendly with basic equipment
Time Required
30 min prep + 2-3 hours cooling
Yield
One 8oz candle (60+ hours burn time)
What You'll Need
Essential Materials
- Candle wax
Soy, paraffin, or beeswax (1 lb for 8oz candle)
- Pre-tabbed wicks
Size depends on container diameter
- Glass containers
Jars, tins, or specialty candle vessels
- Fragrance oilsOptional
6-10% of wax weight (optional)
- Wick stickers
Or hot glue gun for securing wick
- Chopsticks/pencils
For centering and holding wick
Equipment Needed
- Double boiler
Or dedicated wax melting pot
- Digital thermometer
For precise temperature control
- Kitchen scale
For accurate wax measurements
- Stirring spoon
Wood or silicone works best
- Heat gunOptional
For fixing imperfections (optional)
- Wick trimmerOptional
For maintaining proper wick length
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Your Workspace
Set up in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets. Cover your work surface with newspaper or parchment paper.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Ensure good ventilation
- •Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- •Remove any distractions
Measure Your Wax
As a rule of thumb, you need about twice the volume of wax flakes as the container size. For example, an 8oz jar needs about 1 lb of wax.
Use our wax calculator for precise measurements
Learn more →💡 Pro Tips:
- •Use a kitchen scale for accuracy
- •Add 10% extra for topped-off candles
- •Different waxes have different densities
Prepare Container & Wick
Clean your container thoroughly. Attach the wick tab to the center of the container bottom using a wick sticker. Use chopsticks to keep the wick centered and upright.
Need help choosing the right wick?
Learn more →💡 Pro Tips:
- •Use isopropyl alcohol to clean containers
- •Wick size matters - check our wick guide
- •Double-check wick is perfectly centered
Melt the Wax
Heat wax in a double boiler to 185°F (85°C). Never leave melting wax unattended. Soy wax melts at a lower temperature than paraffin.
Never leave melting wax unattended and keep away from direct flame
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Never exceed 200°F
- •Stir occasionally for even heating
- •Different waxes have different melting points
Add Fragrance (Optional)
Remove from heat and let cool to 170°F (77°C). Add fragrance oil at 6-10% of wax weight. Stir gently for 2 minutes to distribute evenly.
Discover the best fragrance oils
Learn more →💡 Pro Tips:
- •Quality fragrance oils make a difference
- •Less is often more with scenting
- •Stir thoroughly but gently
Pour the Wax
Pour slowly and steadily when wax reaches 135°F (57°C). Leave ¼ inch of space at the top. Pour a small amount first, then continue after a few minutes.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Pour temperature affects finish quality
- •Go slow to avoid air bubbles
- •Save some wax for topping off
Cool and Cure
Let candles cool at room temperature for 24 hours. Avoid moving them during this time. Trim wick to ¼ inch before first use.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Patience is key - don't rush cooling
- •Curing improves scent throw
- •Trim wick before every use
Pro Tips for Perfect Candles
Temperature Control
Use a thermometer for best results. Wrong temperatures can cause poor scent throw, appearance issues, or safety problems.
Wick Size Matters
Too small and your candle won't burn to the edges. Too large and it will smoke or burn too quickly.
Patience Pays Off
Let candles cure for 24-48 hours before burning for optimal fragrance performance and burn quality.
Test Everything
Always test burn a sample candle first to ensure proper wick size and burn performance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Tunneling
commonWhen wax doesn't burn to the edges, creating a tunnel effect.
Common Causes:
- •Wick too small
- •Not burning long enough on first use
- •Draft affecting burn
Solutions:
- •Choose larger wick
- •Burn for 3-4 hours initially
- •Use foil collar technique
Smoking
seriousBlack smoke and soot indicating poor burn quality.
Common Causes:
- •Wick too large
- •Wick not trimmed
- •Poor quality wick
Solutions:
- •Use smaller wick
- •Trim to ¼ inch
- •Choose better wick quality
Sinkholes
cosmeticHoles or dips forming in the cooled wax surface.
Common Causes:
- •Cooling too quickly
- •Wrong pouring temperature
- •Air bubbles trapped
Solutions:
- •Cool at room temperature
- •Pour at correct temp
- •Use heat gun to smooth
Poor Scent Throw
commonWeak or no fragrance when burning the candle.
Common Causes:
- •Low fragrance load
- •Poor quality oils
- •Wrong pouring temperature
Solutions:
- •Increase fragrance %
- •Use premium oils
- •Check pour temperature
What's Next?
Master Wick Selection
Learn how to choose the perfect wick for any candle project
Understanding Wax Types
Deep dive into different wax types and their unique properties
Use Our Calculators
Calculate exact amounts for your next candle project
Safety Guidelines
Essential safety tips for candle making and burning