|
I
started making gel candles
as a hobby in 1998. I love making gel candles. This article is based
on the experiences that I have learned from making my gel candles.
I am offering my experiences to you with the understanding that
I am not held accountable for any misuse of my advice and techniques.
*Candle
Gel Instructions*
1). Place small amount of gel into an electric melting pot, with
a temperature control. Use your own judgment, a 4 oz votive you
will use approximately a handful of gel.
NOTE: Presto makes a 6 quart pot with a control and it sells for
under $30.
2). Heat to 250 F and keep it at this temperature until the gel
appears clear.
3). Allow the gel to cool to 200 F and add your color and fragrance.
NOTE: liquid candle dye is easier to measure and work with.
4). Pour your candle between 175 F - 185 F.
NOTE:
If you pour it in layers a few minutes apart, you can avoid a well
on the top.
5). If you are going to embed items in the gel. They have to be
clean of all residue. This is especially true of sea shells. If
you wash the items to be embedded in warm mineral oil (baby oil)
it will not only keep the gel clearer, but it will help reduce the
bubbles in your candle. Also embeds should not be closer than 1”
to the wick to prevent discoloration, and also safe burning for
your candle. Only nonflammable
objects should be used as embeds
in the candle (glass, stone, shells, sand, or paraffin wax embeds).
If adding sand to the bottom of the container, you always want to
pour a thin layer of gel over the sand and let it completely cool
and set before you pour the remainder of your gel. This will prevent
the sand from spreading all through your candle.
6).If
you use wax coated wicks, make sure
gel is not pured too hot!
7). Wick should have a core. Cotton or Metal is okay. You should
use a wick one size large than you would for a comparable wax candle.
Multiple wicks are not
recommended.
8). C Mp is relatively easy to use as it is quite viscous (thicker
syrup) when melted, but holds 5 to 7% scent per pound (up to 1 ounce).
9). C Hp is a little harder to use as it is very viscous when hot.
Holds 7 to 10% scent per pound. C Hp was designed for embedding
particles. (up to 1 1/2 oz)
10.)
If you are making gel candles as gifts or for resale it is recommended
that you to include a gel candle burning label on every candle.
11.)
You always want to test what you have made before making
a large quantity. This will save you lots of time.
Pouring
the Candle: Now here is the trick, you will want to add your color
and scent fairly quick because the gel will start to set rather
fast. Add the scent as you stir until you have added the right amount
of scent to the amount of gel you have. It takes a very small amount
of color. Be sure to stir the scent in thoroughly: Mixed well between
2-3 minutes per pound of gel, pour the gel into the candle container.
If the wick should move just take your skewer and push back to center.
Gel
does not shrink so it will not require a re-pour. Once candle is
fully cooled down it will be ready to burn.
How
to Burn High Quality Wax Candles:
1. Keep the candle wick about a quarter of an inch long.
2. Don't burn the candle for more than two hours at a time.
3. If the candle starts to smoke, distinguish, let cool, trim wick
if necessary, and relight.
4. If candle starts to burn down the middle, it may be that the
top layer has become dried out. If this happens, distinguish the
candle, let cool, cut away the outside unburned portion down to
approximately one quarter inch below the top of the wick, and relight.
5. Never leave a lit candle unattended
| Length |
Jar Diameter Size |
Wick |
| 6 Inches |
3.5" to 4" |
60-44-18
|
| 3 Inches |
Votives, Small Jars |
44-24-18
|
| 5-6 Inches |
Jars 3.25" to 3.5" |
51-32-18 |
| 
