How Do You Make Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla Candles?

Cinnamon spiced vanilla scented candles are a popular candle scent choice for a variety of reasons. The sweet yet spicy aroma is universally appealing, making an excellent gift for any occasion. The cinnamon brings a cozy warmth, while the vanilla provides a soothing sweetness. Together they evoke feelings of home and the holidays. Many people love lighting these candles in the fall and winter months to make their homes smell like fresh baked goods. The cinnamon and vanilla provide a comforting scent without being too overwhelming or cloying. This versatility and crowd-pleasing aroma help explain why cinnamon and vanilla remain one of the most beloved candle fragrance combinations year after year.

Necessary Materials

There are several key materials needed to make cinnamon spiced vanilla candles at home https://www.mycandlemaking.com/craftbud-candle-making-kit/. The main ingredients are:

• Wax – This provides the base for the candle. Popular options are paraffin, soy, or beeswax. Make sure to use wax specifically intended for candle making.
• Wicks – These allow the flame to burn the wax. Choose wicks designed for the particular wax you are using.
• Fragrance oil – This provides the cinnamon vanilla scent. Use an oil formulated for candle making at the recommended usage rate.
• Candle jars or containers – Clear glass jars work well to showcase colored candles.
• Double boiler – This indirect heat source is needed to melt the wax.
• Spoon – Use this to stir the wax and add fragrance.
• Thermometer – You’ll need this to check wax temperatures during the process.

Choosing Your Wax

There are several types of wax that can be used to make candles at home. Popular options include:

Paraffin Wax – A petroleum-based wax, paraffin is one of the most commonly used candlemaking waxes. It’s relatively inexpensive and makes candles that burn cleanly with little soot or wax left behind. However, paraffin wax produces more smoke and less scent throw than natural waxes. (https://www.felinfach.com/pages/wax-candle)

Soy Wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, soy wax is a renewable and environmentally-friendly choice. It’s easy to work with, blends well with fragrances, and produces candles with excellent scent throw. The drawbacks are that soy wax is prone to frosting and can be more expensive than paraffin. (https://www.lifenreflection.com/whats-the-best-candle-wax/)

Beeswax – Beeswax produces candles with a lovely natural honey aroma, and a clean, even burn. It’s compatible with essential oils and gives great scent throw. The downside is beeswax is one of the most expensive candle waxes. (https://www.lifenreflection.com/whats-the-best-candle-wax/)

When selecting your wax, consider factors like cost, scent throw, burn quality, and environmental impact. Most candle makers recommend using wax blends to capitalize on the benefits of each type.

Preparing Your Jars

Before pouring wax into jars, it’s important to clean and prepare them properly. Start by removing any labels, stickers or residue from the outside of jars with warm water and dish soap. Be sure to rinse and dry the jars completely.

Next, clean the inside of each jar. Burning the candle wax down fully will help empty out leftover wax and wicks. Then wash the jars in hot, soapy water to remove any remaining residue. Let jars air dry upside down until completely dry.

Now you’re ready to prepare new wicks. Use cotton or paper wicks designed specifically for container candles. Cut the wick to about 1/4 inch taller than the height of the jar, allowing extra length for the wick to curve at the top. Secure wicks to the bottom of jars with drops of hot glue or adhesive tabs.

Your cleaned and prepped jars are now ready for pouring in fragrant wax![1]

[1] https://lambdageeks.com/can-you-recycle-candle-jars/

Making Cinnamon Vanilla Scent

The key to a nicely blended cinnamon vanilla scent is using high quality fragrance oils and allowing time for the oils to mature. Start by purchasing candle grade fragrance oils labeled as cinnamon and vanilla. Aim for fragrance oils with complex aromas, rather than single note scents.

For a balanced cinnamon vanilla blend, use a ratio of 2 parts cinnamon fragrance oil to 1 part vanilla fragrance oil. Measure the oils carefully using a gram scale or fragrance calculator. Combine the oils in a glass mixing container, then stir thoroughly to fully incorporate them.

Once mixed, cover the container and allow the blended fragrance to rest for 24-48 hours before using. This maturation time allows the scent notes to meld together into a harmonious blend. The aroma will likely mellow and smooth out compared to when first combined.

Making your own custom blended scents opens up many possibilities for creating signature candles. But proper ratios and maturation is key for achieving a pleasing cinnamon vanilla aroma.

Melting the Wax

The most common method for melting wax for candle making is using a double boiler. This allows you to gradually melt the wax at a lower temperature to avoid scorching it. Different types of wax have varying melting points, so it’s important to know the specifics for the wax you are using.

According to villagecraftandcandle.com, soy wax has a melting point between 115-145°F. Paraffin wax melts at temperatures ranging from 115-150°F. For best results, heat the wax around 20 degrees above its melting point. Make sure to stir the wax frequently as it melts to maintain an even temperature.

Microwaving wax directly can lead to hot spots that scorch the wax. If using the microwave, melt the wax in short intervals of 1-2 minutes. Remove and stir in between to prevent overheating.

Wax melters designed specifically for candle making allow you to safely melt larger amounts of wax. Slow heating with a pour spout allows the wax to be smoothly transferred into candle jars once melted and mixed with fragrance.

Adding Fragrance

The key to achieving an evenly fragrant candle with no hot spots is to add the right amount of fragrance oil and blend it properly with the melted wax. According to experts, the optimal fragrance load for candles is 6-10% of the wax weight (Homestead Sparkle). Any more than 10% may lead to issues like seepage or scent throw that is too strong. For a candle with 16 oz of wax, you would add about 1-1.6 oz of fragrance oil.

After adding the fragrance oil to your melted wax, stir gently for 2-3 minutes to fully incorporate the scent. Avoid vigorous stirring which can introduce air bubbles. Use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the pouring pot as you mix to ensure even fragrance distribution. Let the scented wax sit for a few minutes so the fragrance oil has time to fully bind with the wax before pouring into jars (Beauty Fansly). This helps prevent fragrance loss and inconsistent hot and cold spots.

Pouring the Candles

Once the wax is fully melted and the fragrance has been added, it’s time to pour the candles. Carefully pick up the container of wax and pour it into the prepared jars. Be sure to pour slowly and directly down the center of the jars so that the wax covers the wicks evenly.

It’s crucial to ensure that the wax is not too hot when pouring. The ideal pouring temperature for soy wax is around 115-125 degrees Fahrenheit. If the wax is too hot, it can sink around the wicks or cause air bubbles in the finished candles. Pouring at the right temperature will result in smooth tops and centered wicks.

After pouring to fill the jars, let the candles sit undisturbed until a thin wax film forms on the top. This may take 10-15 minutes. The wax skin indicates the candles are ready for a second pour to top them off. Do the second pour carefully to avoid breaking the wax skin. This helps prevent air bubbles.

Allow the candles to cure in a cool, dry place for at least 24 hours before burning. This drying time allows the wax to fully set up and anchors the wicks in place. Now your homemade cinnamon vanilla candles are ready to enjoy!

Second Pour

The purpose of doing a second pour when making candles is to help create an even, smooth surface on the top of the candle. When the wax cools after the first pour, it can shrink and create holes or divots in the top as it contracts. Doing a second pour puts a thin layer of wax over the top that fills in these holes for a flawless finish.

The technique for a second pour is simple. After the first pour, allow the candles to fully cool and harden, which can take 6-12 hours. Then remelt a small amount of wax, enough to pour just a thin 1/8″ layer over the tops of the candles. Let this layer cool completely as well. The second pour wax will fill in any holes or imperfections, resulting in smooth, professional looking candles. Proper wick height is also critical for an even burn and to prevent issues like tunneling.

As discussed on Reddit and Craft Server forums, candle makers strongly recommend doing a second pour, especially for soy wax candles. The second pour creates a perfect surface and prevents wick issues. It’s an extra step but worth the effort for flawless results (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/candlemaking/comments/144lhql/do_second_pours_really_work/).

Curing and Finishing

After pouring the candles, it’s important to let them cure properly before using them. This allows the candles to harden fully and lets the fragrance oil set in the wax. Curing usually takes 1-2 weeks. Place the candles in a room temperature area during this time.

As the candles cure, check on them periodically. Look for signs of wet spots, sink holes, or cracks which may need a second pour to correct. Wipe away any wet wax that pools on the surface.

Once cured, trim the wicks to 1⁄4 inch length. This prevents excess smoking and uneven burning when the candles are lit. Use wick trimmers or nail clippers for a quick and easy trim.

Add any final decorative touches like candle labels, wrappers, or toppers. Now the candles are ready to enjoy! Proper curing helps homemade candles burn evenly and retain their cinnamon vanilla scent.

Source: https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/put-fragrance-back-candle-18071825.php