Candles to enhance our mood, to create a relaxed atmosphere at home, candles as a ceremonial ritual, to celebrate, to decorate, to illuminate or just as an excuse to have a party with friends and family.
Whatever is the reason, you can buy it in the store or make it at home with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of wax
- 1/8 of a color block (if you would like to make colored candles)
- 1 oz. essential oil
Equipment
- A 39 oz. coffee can (cleaned and dried thoroughly.) Bend the lip of the can to form a spout.
- An old cake pan (you will put 1/2 inch of water in this pan to create a double-boiler effect)
- A stainless or wooden spoon.
- Pot Holders.
- A stove or a hot plate.
- A candy or meat thermometer.
- Containers
- Wicks
Method (for a pound of wax)
Before you begin melting your wax, make sure you have your containers ready to be filled, and have your wicks handy. Your containers should NOT be cold. Warm them in the oven at very low heat before filling them.
- Place cake pan (with 1/2" of water) on the stove or hat plate on low heat. Place empty, clean coffee can inside the cake pan to create a double boiler effect.
- Place a pound of wax + 1/8 of a color block ( if you want colored candles, or less, if you want to create pastel color) inside the coffee can, melt the entire mixture to 200 degrees F. Use your candy or meat thermometer to monitor the temperature. Thoroughly mix the wax mixture so that the color and the wax are mixed well.
- Once the mixture is combined, remove from the heat. Allow the wax temperature to cool to approximately 170 degrees F. Quickly add 1 oz. fragrance, stir the mixture and begin pouring into the containers. (The pour temperature will be 160-165 degrees F).
- Watch your containers. When you see that approximately 1/4" of the wax on the bottom of the container has set up, quickly straighten a wick to stick to the bottom of the container. The set-up wax on the bottom of the container will allow the wick to stick to the bottom of the container. Make sure that your wick remains straight when the wax is setting up.
- For best results, allow your candles to set for at less three days. Then, you are ready to burn them!
Now, you have an excuse to make a party. Invite your friends and teach them how to make scented candles.
