Soy Candle Making Instructions
How to make scented soy container candles
mason jar soy candles... coffee cup candles... tea lights
These soy candle making instructions are for melt and pour soy candles - like mason jar soy candles or tea lights - not for
molded pillar candles.
Melt and pour wax is too soft to make molded candles.
First, check out this short video to get a quick overall look at how to make soy container candles...
Step-By-Step Soy Candle Making Instructions
You'll find that the soy candle making instructions below don't completely match the video because I prefer to do things
in a slightly different order, and because my candle recipes use essential oils rather than soy candle fragrance oils.
Click here for a printer-friendly version.
Before you begin...
Cover your work surface with a protective covering such as newspaper, wax paper or a plastic tablecloth.
Wear clothes it's okay to mess up. Have some rags or paper towel ready to mop up any spills.
Make sure you have all your equipment set up within easy reach. Click here for a complete list of
soy candle making supplies.
Soy Candle Making Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare your container
- Make sure your
container is completely clean.
Click here for tips on reusing candle jars.
- Place a
wick in the center of the jar.
Click here for tips on working with wicks.
- Heat the jar. If you only have one or two containers, you can heat them using a blow dryer after your wax is ready to pour.
If you have several, it's easier to warm your jars in the oven.
Make sure they don't get too hot - 100F is about right.
Soy Candle Making Instructions
STEP 2: Heat the wax
- Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
- Pour the
soy wax chips into a pitcher (you can use a
metal pitcher or a heat-proof glass pitcher such as Pyrex - or use a large, clean can,
which you can just recycle when you're done.) Fill about 3/4 full.
- Heat, stirring, until the wax is completely melted and reaches a temperature of about 180F.
(Use a
thermometer to measure the temperature.)
- When the wax is melted, add
candle dye (if you're using it.
Note: you need A LOT of dye to achieve a deep color - be generous!)
Stir until the dye is completely melted and the wax is a uniform color.
- Let the wax cool to about 140F, then add your
essential oil blend or
fragrance oil. Stir to blend in the oils.
Candle Safety
Never leave melting wax unattended.
Do not heat wax above 275F. It could catch fire.
If it does, DO NOT USE WATER to put it out - it will cause the fire to spread.
Use baking soda or a pot lid to smother it.
Do not use water-based dyes or fragrances with wax.
Soy Candle Making Instructions
STEP 3: Pour the wax
- Take your containers out of the oven and group them closely together
to help prevent spills and to help them cool more slowly, which reduces shrinkage.
- SLOWLY pour the wax into your containers.
Try not to splash - you want a slow, even pour to avoid creating air pockets.
- If you're making a large candle, you may want to save some wax to recap (a fancy word for re-pour) the candle.
To recap your candle: After the candle has cooled for about an hour, poke holes in the wax near the wick to let the air bubbles out.
Melt the reserved wax. Pour a bit more wax into the candle, not going above the original fill line. Let cool once again.
- Trim the wick to 1/4" (0.5cm.)
Check out Candlewic.com
for soy wax, essential and fragrance oils, containers, dyes, candle wicks and molds - all your candle making equipment.
That's it! You have mastered the fine (and fun!) art of making scented soy jar candles!
Still Got Questions? Missing Something?
Ask away - there's no such thing as a stupid question! If there's something you don't understand,
please let me know so I can make my explanations clearer.
Just click on this link to the candle questions page and take a second to fill in the form.
I (or some other helpful person) will get back to you right away.
What Next?
Click on the links below to get more tips and ideas for making soy candles, instructions for making soy pillar candles, essential oil blends to scent your handmade soy candles,
and a chat page where you can post (and answer) questions, share your problems and celebrate your successes.
Instructions for Scented Soy Pillar Candles
Essential Oil Blends for Soy Wax Scented Candles
Soy Candle Making Supplies
Soy Candle Making Tips
Candles Main Page
Go to Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Soy Candle Making Instructions
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