Can You Make Homemade Candles In Mason Jars?

The Joy of Homemade Candles in Mason Jars

Mason jars have become a popular DIY crafting staple in recent years. Their classic, versatile design makes them perfect for creating homemade candles. The warm glow of a candle in a mason jar makes for great home décor and thoughtful homemade gifts. But beyond just looks, there are many benefits to making your own candles in mason jars.

Handcrafting candles allows you to control the ingredients. You can use natural soy wax, essential oils, and cotton wicks to make non-toxic, eco-friendly candles. Customizing the scents and colors also lets you create candles tailored to your taste. And since mason jars are reusable, you can refresh the candle over and over.

The simple process of melting wax and pouring it into jars is an enjoyable way to relax and express creativity. Making candles together also provides quality bonding time with family and friends. Plus, gifting homemade candles shows you put thought and care into a gift. With just a few affordable supplies, you’ll be able to craft beautiful candles to keep or give away.

What You’ll Need

The basic supplies needed to make candles in mason jars include:

• Mason jars – You’ll need glass jars, like Ball mason jars or Kerr mason jars, that are heat-safe and have a mouth wide enough to insert a candle wick. See Candle Jars Bulk & Wholesale – Glass Jars | Jar Store for a variety of mason jar options.
• Wax – Use candle wax flakes or pellets, like paraffin, soy, or beeswax. Make sure the wax has a low melting point so it melts easily. Refer to Candle Supplies – Bulk and Wholesale | Fillmore Container for wax options.



• Wicks – You’ll need cotton or paper wicks that are sized appropriately for the jars. See suppliers like Lonestar Candle Supply for wick varieties.
• Fragrance oil – Essential oils or fragrance oils for scent. Use 1-2 ounces of oil per pound of wax.
• Thermometer – A thermometer to monitor the wax temperature so it doesn’t overheat.
• Double boiler – Used to melt the wax. Can be an actual double boiler or a makeshift one with pots.

Choosing the Right Jar

When making homemade candles in mason jars, using canning jars is highly recommended. Canning jars are designed to withstand high heat from the canning process, making them well-suited for candle making. Their thick glass and secure lids allow them to stand up to the heat of melted wax without cracking (Village Craft and Candle).

Consider the shape and size of the jar as well. A wide jar will allow more fragrance to disperse when the candle is burning, while a taller jar provides more visual impact. Standard mason jars come in sizes ranging from 4 ounces to 32 ounces. Select a size appropriate for the space where the candle will be displayed (Candle Making Supplies).

Wide mouth mason jars are easiest to pour wax into. Look for jars with straight sides rather than those with a curved shape. This will make it simpler to remove the finished candle later on (Jar Store).

Preparing the Jars

The first step in preparing the mason jars is to wash them thoroughly with soap and water. This removes any dirt, dust or oils that could prevent the wax from adhering properly. Make sure to dry the jars completely.

Next, place the wick in the center of each jar. One tip is to use a glue dot or a dab of hot glue to temporarily adhere the wick until the wax is poured (Source). The wick should be trimmed to about 1⁄2 inch taller than the jar.

Now the jars need to be prepped so the wax will release easily once cooled and cured. There are a few options for this such as using silicone sleeve molds, coating the interior with a thin layer of Vaseline, or using freezer paper to line the jar (Source). The goal is to prevent the candle from sticking too much to the glass.

Once washed, wick placed, and interiors prepped, the mason jars will be ready for the wax to be poured.

Melting the Wax

The safest, most effective way to melt wax for candles is to use a double boiler (source). To create a double boiler, place a pot with a couple inches of water over medium heat. Then place a metal or glass bowl on top of the pot; the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Add the wax to the bowl and allow it to melt completely. Using this indirect heating method prevents burning or scorching the wax. The steam from the simmering water gently melts the wax. Be patient and stir occasionally as the wax melts. Use a thermometer and aim for a wax temperature around 180 to 200 F, the optimal temperature for adding fragrance (source). Melting all the wax thoroughly before pouring is crucial for even burn and to prevent cylinder effect in the finished candle.

Adding Fragrance

Once your wax is fully melted, it’s time to add the fragrance oil. Fragrance is what gives your homemade candles their scent. For soy wax candles, the general recommendation is to use 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax (see CandleScience). So if you melted 1 pound of soy wax, you would add 1 ounce of fragrance oil.

Make sure to add the fragrance when the wax is completely liquid. Adding fragrance to wax that is too cool can result in the scent not fully incorporating. Once added, stir the wax and fragrance together for about 60 seconds to ensure it’s fully blended before pouring into jars.

Important tip: Never exceed more than 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. Adding more fragrance oil will not make your candles stronger scented. It can actually cause issues like sweating, frosting, poor hot and cold throw, and more (see Lone Star Candle Supply). Start with 1 ounce per pound, and adjust to your preferences from there.

Pouring the Wax

Once the wax has fully melted and is at the proper pouring temperature, you’re ready to fill your jars. Pour the wax slowly and carefully to avoid splashing or spilling. As you pour, hold the wick centered and straight in the middle of the jar. This will ensure your finished candle burns evenly from top to bottom.

The perfect wax pouring temperature is generally between 135-165°F, but follow your specific wax instructions. Pour too hot and you risk scorching or discoloring the wax, while too cold can lead to frosting or imperfections on the candle surface according to Pouring Melted Wax Into a Jar | Candle Making University. Adjust the pour speed and height to control the impact on the cooling wax.

Cooling and Curing

After pouring the candles, it’s important to let them sit undisturbed as they cool and cure. Curing allows the wax to fully harden and strengthen, and makes the candle burn better. According to https://armatagecandlecompany.com/blog/candle-curing/, you should cure soy wax candles for 1-2 weeks to allow the wax to fully set up.

As the candles cool, a concave dip may form at the top due to contraction. Resist the urge to re-pour more wax to fix this, as it can cause issues later. Simply let the candles cure untouched. The wax will level out as it finishes cooling and curing. Once cured, you can trim the wick if needed before lighting.

Finishing Touches

Once your candles have completely cooled and cured, it’s time to put on the finishing touches. First, use scissors to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch above the wax. This helps prevent smoking and ensures clean burning (Source: https://www.pinterest.com).

Next, decorate the jars however you’d like – this is where you can get creative! Some simple ideas include tying raffia or twine around the rim, affixing decorative buttons, painting the outside of the glass, or gluing on faux flowers or other embellishments. Mason jars make great canvases for all kinds of crafts. Refer to this DIY candle tutorial for inspiration.

Finally, make some simple yet pretty labels for your candles, either printed or handwritten. Include the candle scent and any other details you want. You can tie the labels around the jar neck or use a glue dot to affix them to the front. Now your homemade candles are ready to use and gift!

Enjoy Your Candles!

Lighting your homemade candles in mason jars is a satisfying final step after all your hard work. When you light the wick and see that first flicker of flame, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment. However, to properly enjoy your candles, there are some guidelines to follow.

First, make sure to place your jar on a stable, level surface where it won’t get knocked over. Avoid surfaces like tablecloths that could catch fire. Don’t burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time, and keep it away from drafts which can cause the flame to smoke and soot

Always keep a close eye on your burning candle. Never leave a lit candle unattended. For safety, blow out the flame when you leave a room or go to sleep. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting to prevent dangerous mushrooming of the flame. Burn in a well-ventilated room.

With proper burning practices, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the ambiance and scent of your homemade mason jar candles. The light flickering glow creates cozy lighting. You’ll also get satisfaction from seeing your handmade creation come to life. Making your own candles can become a fun and rewarding hobby!