|
THE PROCESS OF CANDLE MAKING
BASIC CANDLE-MAKING STEPS Making candles is fun and relaxing. While it does give you the chance to be creative, there are some basic candle-making steps you should follow to make the process flow well. Nothing is more disappointing than to discover that your candles didn’t form properly. Safety is very important in candle making. Many people make candles in their own kitchen. You will want to have a fire extinguisher nearby as well as a non-slip mat placed in front of your stove. Always wear old clothing and long sleeves. However, make sure your sleeves do not dangle where they can fall into the hot wax. Since you will have to get the candle wax hot to melt completely, there is a risk of severe burns. You also have the risk of starting a fire. It is important to clean up all spilled wax immediately. It won’t take long for it to harden, thus becoming very slippery. The dyes and scents used in candle making can leave stains. SETTING UP THE WORK AREA! The best way to set up your work area for candle making is to divide it into three specific work stations for preparation, the melting process, and the cooling process. The preparation area doesn’t need to be large, just a flat surface that is well-organized. To make the process flow best, use a counter in close proximity to the stove. You will want to keep your utensils, thermometer, additives, and other candle making supplies in this area. It is a good idea to know what types of candles you will be making before hand so that you have all the necessary items ready to go. MELTING THE WAX! Your melting work station will likely be the stove. It is necessary to use a double boiler to melt the wax to a temperature that is hot enough without scorching it. The molecular structure of the wax can be damaged if the direct heat to it is too much. This means your candles won’t form well or hold up well when they are used. Wax comes in sheets or blocks, which will need to chip off in chunks to melt. A hammer and flat head screwdriver work well for this. Chipping wax should be done in the preparation stage so that you can simply add more pieces throughout the melting process. You will want to weigh each piece of wax before you add it to the pot for melting. This will help you determine how much scent and dye to add, which is based on weight. THE COOLING STATION! The cooling station needs to be a level area such as a countertop or table. The wax must cool for several hours so this area needs to be able to withstand high temperatures as well as remain undisturbed for long periods of time. The area should not be directly in the path of sunlight or heating/cooling systems. If it is, the candles will not set properly. If you plan to use molds for your candles, have them set up in the cooling area while the wax is melting. Once it has melted, you will need to pour it immediately into the molds. To prevent a mess from spills, use an old cookie sheet for the molds to rest on. The candle making process will run smoothly and efficiently if you follow these tips for establishing three work stations. While the process should be fun, it is important that you understand the dangers of candle making, including burns and fires. Taking the proper safety precautions will help ensure the creation of candles in your home as a great way to spend your time. * * * * * *
|
|