How Do You Pour Wax Into Mold?
Candle making using wax and molds is a popular craft that allows people to create customized candles at home. The process involves melting wax, adding fragrance and dye, pouring the wax into a mold, allowing it to cool and cure, and then removing the finished candle from the mold.
There are several steps involved in successfully pouring wax into a mold to create candles. First, an appropriate wax must be chosen, such as paraffin, soy, or beeswax. The wax must be melted to a proper temperature before adding fragrance and dye. Molds made from silicone or other heat-safe materials must be selected and prepared. Once the wax is prepared, it can be carefully poured into the mold. The poured candles must be allowed to fully cool and cure before removing them from the molds. Trimming the wick and finishing the candles completes the process.
Properly following each step allows even beginners to safely pour wax into molds and make their own customized candles. With practice, one can master techniques for making solid candles, container candles, and more. The finished candles can be enjoyed or gifted.
Prepare the Wax
The first step in pouring wax into molds is preparing the wax. The most common types of wax used for candle making are paraffin, soy, and beeswax. Each wax has different melting points that need to be taken into consideration (Source):
- Paraffin wax melts between 46-61°C (115-142°F)
- Soy wax melts between 48-57°C (118-135°F)
- Beeswax melts between 62-64°C (145-147°F)
To melt the wax, use a double boiler or makeshift double boiler to gently heat the wax to 10°C (20°F) above its melting point. Going above the wax’s recommended temperature can burn the wax. Stir the wax regularly as it melts to prevent hot spots and uneven melting. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and keep it in the ideal range throughout the entire pouring process. The wax should be completely melted with no remaining solid pieces before pouring.
Prepare the Mold
The first step in pouring wax into a mold is preparing the mold itself. Candle molds can be made from different materials like silicone, plastic, or metal. Silicone molds are most common for hobby candle making because they are flexible and easy to remove finished candles from. Before pouring wax, the mold needs to be coated in a thin layer of oil or mold release to prevent the wax from sticking.
According to experts, the best oil to use is a food-grade oil like vegetable, sunflower, or canola oil (Source 1). Using an oil will create a barrier between the wax and the mold. Another option is to use a mold release spray designed specifically for candle making. The mold should have a light coating of oil or release agent on all interior surfaces.
In addition to coating the mold, the temperature of the mold itself is also important. Your candle mold should be room temperature before pouring wax into it. If the mold is too warm, the wax will cool and harden too quickly which can lead to issues like sinkholes or cracks. Letting silicone molds come to room temp before using ensures the wax cools and releases properly (Source 2). With the mold oiled and at room temperature, you are ready to pour in melted wax.
Add Fragrance and Dye
Adding fragrance oil and dye are key steps in the candle making process. It’s important to add them at the right time for optimal scent throw and color vibrancy.
Fragrance oil should be added after the wax has completely melted and been mixed. According to CandleMakingSupplies.net, adding fragrance oil before dye can cause major color changes in the wax.
As for dye, a standard ratio is 1 teaspoon of dye per 1 pound of wax. For darker colors, up to 3 teaspoons per pound can be used. Candle dyes are concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Avoid adding too much dye, as it can clog the wax and lead to poor burn quality, according to Candles.org.
After adding the desired amount of fragrance and dye, stir thoroughly to fully incorporate. Doing this step properly will lead to beautifully scented and colored candles.
Pour the Wax
Once the wax has been properly prepared and scented, it’s time to carefully pour it into the mold. Proper pouring technique is crucial for achieving even, bubble-free candles with a smooth finish.
The wax should be poured at the optimal temperature, which is typically between 175°F and 185°F for soy wax (1). This ensures the wax has reached the ideal viscosity for smoothly flowing into the mold. If wax is poured while too hot, it can cause sinkholes or an uneven finish as it cools at different rates. If poured while too cool, the wax may set up too quickly before filling the mold. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature before pouring.
When ready to pour, bring the wax pouring pot near the mold and tip to let the spout rest near the cavity opening. Tilt just enough so the wax streams out in a gentle, thin line. Keep the stream steady as you pour slowly and evenly in a circular motion to allow wax to build up equally around the sides (2). Avoid pouring too fast or too high above the mold. This can introduce bubbles. Fill each cavity just below the rim.
Take care while pouring to not move or jostle the mold, which could splash wax outside the cavities. Allow the wax time to cool and solidify completely in the mold before attempting to remove the finished candles.
Cool the Candles
After pouring the wax, it is important to let the candles cool and harden properly before removing them from the mold. Cooling times can vary based on the type of wax, the size of the candle, and the ambient temperature.
For soy or paraffin wax candles, a good rule of thumb is to wait 6-12 hours before removing from the mold [1]. Beeswax candles may take a little longer. Larger candles and candles poured in cooler temperatures may take longer to completely set up. Test the candles by gently touching the sides – they should feel completely hard and room temperature.
It is important not to remove the candles too soon while the wax is still soft and warm. This can cause deformation of the candles. Allowing the full curing time also prevents wet spots, frosting, and other cosmetic issues. Rushing the cooling process can ruin an otherwise perfect candle!
Once the wax has fully set up, gently turn the mold over and tap lightly to remove the candle. Place on a drying rack to finish curing and hardening. Avoid handling the candle surface as fingerprints and oils can cause issues during the final curing process.
Trim and Finish
Once your candles have completely cooled and hardened, it’s time for the final trimming and finishing touches. First, trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch using scissors or wick trimmers. Trimming the wick helps regulate proper burn and prevent excess smoking when the candle is lit. Next, you may need to do some touch ups on the bottom of the candle to create a smooth, even base. Gently rub the bottom on a piece of fine grit sandpaper laid flat to smooth out any imperfections. Be very gentle, as you don’t want to remove too much wax.
For final touches, some people like to attach adhesive felt pads to the bottom of their candles to protect furniture surfaces. You can add other embellishments too like labels, wraps, or decorative touches. Just be careful not to cover the wick itself. According to CandleScience, some other tips for finishing include using a heat gun to gently smooth over rough spots and wiping the sides with a cotton cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove residule wax and create shine.
Cure the Candles
Curing is an important step to allow the candle wax and fragrance oils to fully bond and stabilize. According to SuffolkCandles, curing helps improve the scent throw and burn quality.
The curing time can vary depending on the type of wax, but typical timeframes are 1-2 weeks for soy candles and 1-2 days for paraffin candles according to Armatage Candle Company. Beeswax candles may take about a week to cure properly. Curing candles with the lid on helps retain more fragrance but can slow the process. Storing candles in a warm room (65-75°F) can help speed up curing.
Patience is key during the curing period. Avoid lighting or moving the candles around. Once fully cured, the candles will have an even appearance and maximized fragrance.
Store the Candles
Proper storage is critical for maximizing the longevity and quality of your candles. The ideal storage conditions involve keeping candles away from direct light, heat, and humidity fluctuations. According to Zanmi Services, “Proper candle storage is essential for preserving their fragrance, color, and overall quality, as well as ensuring safety in your home.”
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from windows and heat vents. Temperatures between 60-75°F are ideal. Avoid excessively cold or hot conditions, as this can cause wax to sweat or candles to become misshapen. As The Melt Co recommends, “keep your candles at room temperature, as any fluctuations can impact burn time and fragrance throw.”
Keep candles in an area with stable humidity, around 40-60%. High humidity can make labels peel and encourage mold growth. Low humidity can make candles become brittle. Store candles away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting, as light can fade colors and scents over time.
With proper storage, the shelf life of a well-made candle is 1-2 years. Over time, the fragrance may weaken but the candle should still burn fine. Check candles occasionally and discard any with signs of sweating, mold, or other damage. By providing ideal storage conditions, you can maximize the longevity of your handmade candles.
Troubleshooting
Candle making can be tricky, and you may encounter some issues, especially when starting out. Here are some of the most common candle making problems and how to fix them:
Sinkholes
Sinkholes are indentations that form in the top of a candle. They are generally caused by the wick being trimmed too short, pouring wax that is too hot, or cooling the candle too quickly.1 To fix sinkholes, use a heat gun to gently re-melt the top layer of wax. Allow the wax to cool slowly in a warm area to prevent sinkholes from reforming.
Wet Spots
Wet spots occur when an area of wax does not adhere properly to the container. This can be caused by pour temps that are too low or containers that are not warm enough.2 Use a heat gun to gently warm the wet spots until the wax adheres evenly. Make sure your wax and containers are sufficiently warm before pouring.
Frosting
Frosting is a whitish film that can develop on the top of candles. It’s typically caused by pouring wax that is too hot. To prevent frosting, aim for proper pour temps between 120-135°F. If frosting occurs, use a heat gun to gently re-melt the top layer of wax.
Wick Issues
Problems like poor flame height, smoking, tunneling, and more can occur due to improper wick sizing. Always test your candle with the wick before production. Trim wicks as needed to 1⁄4” length before burning. For other wick issues, you may need to use a different wick type or size.
