Note that these instructions are based on our in-house testing. You should also explore the handling sheet, and conduct your own testing with fragrance loads, colouring and temperatures (download the complimentary testing sheet). We recommend a 3-5% fragrance load using our fragrance range. We advise using a digital thermometer to measure the correct temperature of the wax.
Preparation:
Lay down some newspaper because pouring candles can be messy. Ensure that you work on a sturdy surface and your candle wicks are firmly in place. Mark the maximum fill line with a non-permanent marker to ensure that the jars are not over-filled.
Step 1 – Melting
- Wax should be melted in a bain-marie and should not be exposed to direct heat.
- Melt your wax slowly to reach to 85℃ . The wax should appear completely translucent. Although this is a forgiving wax take care not to heat it over 90℃ as this can influence the setting and performance of the wax.
Step 2 – Adding Colour and Fragrance
- Add fragrance at between 75℃ to 79℃ and stir gently for a minute. Note that if using only paraffin wax as a single wax candle, we recommend only 3-5% fragrance load, depending on the strength of the particular fragrance.
- If adding colour, it’s best to add it before the fragrance to ensure that the colour blends well with the wax.
Step 3 – Pouring
- Once your fragrance and colour has blended, and the wax has cooled down to 70℃, it is ready to be poured. The wax will be clear appearance.
- Fill the container to 2cm below the maximum filling line to leave room for the top-up. Make sure to keep enough wax for the top-up, depending on the number of candles being made.
- It is important to have the containers at the same temperature as the ambient room temperature.
Step 4 – Curing and Topping Up
- Allow wax to cure for 12 hours.
- Using a small bain-marie, warm up the remainder of the wax to between 65℃ and 70℃.
- Top up the final layer of the candle to the maximum fill line of your containers. Allow to set for another 12 hours. The topping layer is always poured cooler than the initial pour.
- With Paraffin wax, you can do up to three pours to ensure container adhesion, and to secure your smooth top.