The Kitchen Candle Maker

The Kitchen Candle Maker

How exciting! You have finally decided to try making a few candles for yourself and/or perhaps to give some to friends & family.

Now you are getting ready to transform your kitchen into a little workshop for the day.  This is exactly how we started out, as so many successful businesses do so. We are filled with tips and tricks to help you get set up, cost effectively and still have a quality scented candle to enjoy.

First tip: It is helpful to have an idea of how many candles you will make in your first batch, as this will help you decide what size of jug to buy etc. In our factory, we use different jugs for each fragrance to avoid cross contamination. You don’t have to do this at the beginning- it’s something to tuck in the back of your head for the future.

Second Tip: If you are purchasing or using varied sizes of containers from an op shop or home, have the diameters pre-measured to ensure you have the correct wick size for the containers. Keep a little log book with the diameters and the wick size to help you understand how each fragrance burns.

Third Tip: Record the empty weight of the jugs you use for measuring your fragrance and wax in a book in case you forget to take a tare when you get to the measuring portion of your candle making steps.

Fourth Tip: Using water, fill your vessel to the level you desire and record the ml’s so you have a rough idea of how much melted wax you will need. **** Dry wax weighs less than water

Tools Required

• Double Boiler pot OR a pasta pot with a stainless steel strainer in it
  (try a second hand shop, Kmart or Briscoes)
• Sturdy thick Plastic Jug (1kg  jug if making 1-2 units;2 kg if making 2+)
• Newspaper/cardboard to cover counters and setting area
• Stainless steel whisk (double check the whisk size fits the jug)
• Thermometer (click to buy the one we recommend)
• Scale
• Ruler
• Small glass container to measure fragrance (I use an old preserving jar or empty jam jar)
• Notebook and pen to calculate Fragrance Load and Wax Weight

You can purchase each supply separately, or purchase one of our kits to make it easier!
Click to Shop our DIY Kits

Candle Supplies Required

• Wax > Shop Now
• Wicks > Shop Now
• Wick Stickums > Shop Now
• Glassware > Shop Now
• Wick Holders > Shop Now
• Fragrance > Shop Now
• Extra tea lights to use up leftover fragranced wax > Shop Now

Getting Set Up

• Clear an area in your kitchen where there is a flat surface with no draft, or heavy sunlight.
• Place some newspaper/cardboard on the floor in front of your stove top and on the counter beside
• Place your newspaper/cardboard on your table ensuring the surface is flat and even
• If your vessels are cold, you will need to warm them in the oven slightly so they are closer to the setting temperature of the wax to avoid shrinkage. You may not need to do this if your work area is warm.
• Position the vessels you want to fill on the table (you will space them properly later)
• Measure the inner diameter of your vessel and record in a journal
• Use the Wick Guide to select your wick size for each vessel > View Wick Guide
• Peel the sticker off the bottom of the Wick Stickum; position the wick in the centre of your vessel and straighten the wick. > Shop Wick Stickum
• Place your Wick Holder onto the wick and slightly push the wick back so there is more room at the front of the vessel to have a “clean” pour. > Shop Wick Holder
• Space your vessels roughly 5 cm apart to allow for even cooling on all sides.

Now it’s time for some math 🙁
But have no fear, we have it all sorted for you! 🙂 We even have a wee calculator for you to use to make it as easy as possible!

Now that you know how much wax you require to melt, you can set your double boiler up to begin to slowly melt your wax. We like to start with the water at tap temperature, and bring up to a simmer, so slowly allow the temperature of the wax to increase. During this time, it is important to stir regularly.

While the wax is melting, you can pre-measure the fragrance you need, and take some notes on observations of the initial melt point of the wax, temperature inside your workspace, weather conditions outside etc.

Keep checking your wax and when it is melted to the recommended temperature for the style of wax you are using, you are ready to begin your first candle creation!

Pouring the Candle

• Take the tare of your pouring jug on the scale and now carefully remove the jug out of the double boiler (have a paper towel or old rag ready to hold the bottom of the jug to catch water drips) and fill the jug to the desired level of wax.
• As you are stirring the melted wax with your whisk in a gentle swirl, add in the required amount of fragrance.
• Stir evenly for 2 minutes and keep checking the cooling temperature.
• When the wax has reached the recommended setting temperature, gently pour into your vessel to the desired fill level
• Fasten the position of the wick with a peg or hair clip and PRESTO! You are done!

Your next steps are all about keeping the temperature in the room consistent, not bumping the table and trimming the wick when the candle is set.

There may be some issues on your first pour, such as sinkholes, wet spots etc. Feel free to reach out to the Illumina Candle Supplies team for more assistance or check out our handy tips:  Click to email