Heidi Norton
Making gel candles is a fun DIY project, but it requires a few more precautions and supplies than traditional candle-making. The first step is to choose a glass container that can withstand hot liquids, such as a glass jar, beverage glass, or even a champagne flute. Next, select a gel wax density based on your desired scent concentration—low, medium, or high. Choose a non-polar fragrance oil with a flash point above 170°F to maintain safety and stability. You can also add decorative embeds like wax fruit, ice cubes, or nonflammable items such as seashells and glass figures. A gel candle will also need a wick that is compatible with gel wax and can accommodate its higher burning temperature. Finally, select a liquid dye to colour your candle, and you're ready to start melting your gel wax!
Supplies needed to make fragrance gelly wax candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Glassware | Glass jar or beverage glass, suitable for hot liquids, such as votive glasses, tumblers, and champagne flutes |
| Wax | Gel wax, mineral oil, and resin |
| Wax Inserts/Embeds | Wax fruit, paraffin wax cut into blocks, seashells, glass figures, marbles, ceramic figures, etc. |
| Scent | Non-polar fragrance oils with a flash point of 170°F or higher |
| Dye | Liquid candle dye |
| Wick | A wick that is designed for use with gel candles to accommodate the higher burning temperature of the gel |
| Tools | Pouring pots, thermometer, glue dots |
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What You'll Learn
Glassware and wax inserts
When making gel candles, you can use any glass container that is suitable for holding hot liquids, such as a mason jar, drinking glass, votive glass, tumbler, or champagne flute. It is important to avoid using wood and plastic materials as they can be porous or melt. Standard apothecary jars are always available in 15 oz., 22 oz., and 32 oz. sizes.
If you want to add wax inserts to your candle, there are many options to choose from. For example, paraffin wax cut into blocks can be used to create "ice cubes" for your candle, and wax fruit also works well as items to embed in your gel candle. You can also use nonflammable items such as seashells, glass figures, marbles, and ceramic figures. It is important to avoid using flammable materials like wood, plastic, and dried flowers. Additionally, specific wax inserts can be developed for customized looks, but tooling costs will be necessary.
When choosing your gel wax density, consider the concentration of scent you want. Low-density gel wax can hold 0-3% scent, medium density can hold 0-4% scent, and high density can hold 0-5% scent. The medium-grade gel is the most popular option as it balances fragrance capacity and firmness. However, if you want to hold more fragrance and add heavier embeds, the high-grade gel is a better option as it is stiffer and allows for less shifting during shipping.
When adding your wax inserts and other decorative items to your gel candle, dip them in gel wax before embedding to prevent bubbles. Additionally, use a heat gun or pencil torch to remove surface bubbles after pouring.
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Gel wax density
When making fragrance gel candles, it is important to consider the density of the gel wax as this will determine the concentration of scent your candle can hold. Gel wax typically comes in three densities: low, medium, and high.
Low-density gel wax can hold a scent concentration of 0-3%, while medium-density gel wax can hold 0-4%. These types of gel wax are suitable for creating candles with a lower concentration of fragrance.
High-density gel wax can accommodate a higher scent concentration of 0-5% or even up to 6%. This type of gel wax is ideal for those who want their candles to have a stronger fragrance. Additionally, high-density gel wax can be used to create free-standing candles and can also suspend dense pigments or decorative particles within the gel.
The density of the gel wax you choose will also impact the type of wick you need to select. Gel candles have higher burning temperatures, so choosing a wick that is specifically designed for gel candles is crucial. A longer wick can help ensure that the flame is extinguished before reaching the bottom of the container.
Furthermore, the density of the gel wax can influence the colour of your candle. Gel wax is typically clear, but you can add liquid dye to create coloured candles. However, it is important to use only a small amount of dye as it is easy to over-colour gel wax.
Overall, selecting the appropriate density of gel wax is an important step in creating fragrance gel candles. It will ensure that your candle has the desired scent concentration, colour, and burning properties.
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Non-polar fragrance oils
To make gel candles, you will need a glass container, wax inserts, gel wax, a liquid dye, a wick, and non-polar fragrance oils. The type of gel wax you choose will depend on the concentration of scent you want—low density for 0-3%, medium density for 0-4%, and high density for 0-5%.
To test if a fragrance oil is non-polar, you can use Penreco's simple test. First, add 3 parts fragrance oil and 1 part mineral oil to a test tube. Shake the test tube vigorously. If the liquid turns cloudy and then clears up, this is a good sign. Let the test tube sit for up to 5 minutes. If the liquid remains clear, the oil is non-polar.
When choosing a non-polar fragrance oil, it is also important to consider the flash point. The flash point is the temperature at which the oil will ignite. For gel candles, choose a non-polar oil with a flash point of 170°F or higher. Oils with a lower flash point can be unsafe.
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Liquid dye for colour
When making fragrance gelly wax candles, it is important to choose the right liquid dye to achieve the desired colour. Here are some key considerations and instructions for using liquid dye:
Firstly, select a liquid candle dye that is specifically designed for use with gel wax. Avoid using wax-based dyes, as they can cause the gel to become cloudy. Gel wax typically requires very little dye, and one ounce of liquid dye can colour nearly 100 pounds of gel. It is easy to over-colour gels, so it is important to use a light hand when adding dye.
When choosing a colour, consider the density of the gel wax and the desired scent concentration. Low-density gel wax (0-3% scent concentration) will result in a more transparent candle, while high-density gel wax (0-5% scent concentration) will produce a more opaque appearance. The chosen colour should complement the scent and any decorative embeds within the candle.
Always follow the directions provided by the manufacturer when adding liquid dye to gel wax. Pay close attention to the recommended temperatures and ratios to ensure the desired colour is achieved without compromising the stability of the gel. It is crucial to monitor the temperature of the wax and work within the recommended temperature range to avoid affecting the fragrance and overall quality of the candle.
If using a clear container for your gel candle, ensure the liquid dye is compatible. Some pre-made colour squares may not be suitable for use with certain types of gel wax, so it is important to check before proceeding. Additionally, consider the neck height of the sustainer base, as a longer neck will help extinguish the flame before it reaches the bottom of the container.
By carefully selecting and using liquid dye, you can create visually appealing fragrance gelly wax candles with captivating colours that complement the scent and decorative elements within the candle.
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Wicks
When making fragrance gelly wax candles, selecting the right wick is critical. Gel candles have higher burning temperatures, so you need to choose a wick that is designed for use with gel candles.
The correct wick will ensure that the gel candle is as safe as any other candle. The wrong wick may cause the gel candle to easily catch fire. The key element in the sustainer base of the wick is the "neck height", which is the part that holds the wick upright. A longer neck helps to ensure that the flame is extinguished before reaching the bottom of the container.
When selecting a wick, it is also important to consider the size of the melt pool you want to achieve. Larger wicks are required to sustain a good melt pool. Mass-produced gel candles in discount stores may fizzle out quickly due to small wicks.
To avoid compromising the stability of the candle, it is recommended to use between 6 to 10 per cent of fragrance in your candle mixture. The flashpoint, or the temperature at which the fragrance oil becomes combustible, is also an important factor to consider. The lower the flashpoint, the faster the candle will catch fire. It is recommended to use fragrances with a flashpoint above 175ºF (80ºC) for gel candles.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need gel wax, a glass container, a non-polar fragrance oil with a flashpoint of at least 170°F, a liquid candle dye, and a wick designed for gel candles.
You can use any glass container that is suitable for hot liquids, such as votive glasses, tumblers, or champagne flutes. Avoid using wood or plastic materials as they can be porous or melt.
The amount of fragrance oil you should add depends on the type of wax and the desired scent strength. Most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance, and you should aim for between 6-10% to optimise scent throw and stability.
You should use a liquid dye designed for gel wax. Most other dyes are wax-based and can cause the gel to become cloudy.
You should use a wick that is designed for use with gel candles, as they have a higher burning temperature. A longer neck will help ensure that the flame is extinguished before reaching the bottom of the container.
