What Can I Use For A Pillar Candle Mold?

Pillar candles are tall, cylindrical candles that are typically 2 to 3 inches in diameter. They are a classic candle style used to add warmth and atmosphere to any space. Pillar candles look beautiful on their own but can also be paired with candle holders. Their long burn time makes them ideal for dining tables, mantels, and other areas where you want light for hours. Making your own pillar candle molds allows you to customize sizes, shapes, colors, and scents. The DIY route gives you more flexibility and options compared to buying pre-made molds. However, the process requires some trial and error to master. With practice, you can create stunning and unique pillar candles with homemade molds.

Everyday Household Items

Many common household items can be repurposed to create candle molds. Aluminum foil is one of the easiest materials to mold into different shapes and sizes. Simply wrap the foil around an object to create the desired mold cavity. Smooth out any creases for a seamless finish. The foil will hold its shape once the wax hardens.

Cardboard tubes like toilet paper and paper towel rolls make perfect molds for cylindrical pillar candles. Cut the tubes to size and wrap the exterior with foil to prevent wax leakage. Boxes and cartons can also be lined with foil and used as square or rectangular molds.

Clean glass and plastic containers from food like jars, bottles, tubs and bowls are ideal for molding candles. The transparency allows you to see the candle as it sets up. Make sure containers have straight sides for easy removal. Lightly coat the interior with vegetable oil or silicone spray so the candle can unmold easily.

Silicone bakeware like cupcake pans, muffin tins and loaf pans provide built-in candle mold shapes. The flexible material allows for effortless release of finished candles. Avoid using metal bakeware like cake and pie pans since the wax will contract when cooling and stick to the sides.

More Durable Household Items

Common household items made of metal, plastic, or silicone can make for great candle molds if you don’t want to purchase specialized supplies. Look for sturdy materials that can withstand hot wax being poured into them.

Metal and plastic pipes or tubes of various diameters create tall, pillar-style candles. Copper or PVC pipes work well, cutting them into different lengths for unique looks. MILIVIXAY Candle Molds Durable Plastic

Metal cans, baking pans, or buckets make molds for wider container candles. Make sure to thoroughly clean and dry anything used for food first. Consider lining them with foil or parchment paper for easy release.

Silicone ice cube trays or soap molds allow flexibility in shape. Look for heat-resistant silicone rated to 500°F. Check craft and baking stores for many affordable options. All Candle Molds – Boowan Nicole

The advantage of household objects as candle molds is convenience and low cost. Just beware of potential odors or chemical leaching from plastics when exposed to heat.

Craft Store Finds

Craft and hobby stores offer several household items that can be repurposed into candle molds. Here are some of the most common craft store finds used for candle making:

Clay Flower Pots

Terra cotta clay pots meant for plants make excellent improvised candle molds. Their porous clay material absorbs moisture from the wax, resulting in a smooth candle exterior. Just plug the drainage hole in the bottom with clay, tape, or hot glue before pouring wax into the pot.

Plaster of Paris

Pouring plaster into a plastic container or cardboard box allows it to harden into a customized mold. Make sure the container is coated in Vaseline first for easy mold release. Plaster dries quickly and can be shaped into single or multi-wick molds.

Candle & Soap Making Kits

Many craft stores sell beginner candle and soap making kits that contain basic molds and supplies. These inexpensive kits allow you to experiment with candle making using materials like aluminum tins, silicone molds, wax melting pitchers, dyes, scents, and wicks before investing in more advanced equipment.

Silicone Molds

Flexible and heat-resistant silicone is ideal for detailed candle designs. Craft stores sell individual silicone molds or mold making putty to create customized candle molds. Silicone molds release candles easily and can be reused many times.

Natural Materials

Nature provides an abundance of materials that can be repurposed into candle molds. Fruit and vegetables with a hollow cavity or sturdy rind work wonderfully. Small fruits like apples, oranges, peppers, and tomatoes make great single votive or pillar molds. For larger pillar candles, try using squashes, melons, or pineapples. Just clean out the fruit, leaving about 1/4 inch thickness. The natural wax coating helps the candle release easier.

Rock salt crystals can be packed into any container to make an inexpensive mold. The salt grips the candle so no release agent is required. The salt can be reused repeatedly. Though labor intensive to make, the finished candles have beautiful embossed textures.

Beeswax sheets are available at craft stores and can be rolled into custom sized molds. The wax is very pliable when warm and holds shape nicely when cool. As an all-natural product made by bees, it lends itself beautifully to making natural beeswax candles. The sheet wax is also reusable.

For a rustic look, container candles can be molded in sand. Any plastic or cardboard tube makes a simple mold. Pack damp sand around it, carve shapes or designs if desired, then pour wax directly into the sand mold. Allow the candle to fully set up before removing from the sand.

Unconventional Items

If you’re feeling creative, you can try using some unconventional household objects as candle molds. This takes a bit more effort but can result in unique candle shapes.

Legos, toys, and action figures make quirky and fun molds. Make sure to thoroughly clean the items first. Securely attach the pieces together if needed so the wax doesn’t leak out. The wax will take on all the small details of the mold.

Ice and snow can be molded into shapes like stars or hearts. Pour the wax into the snow mold carefully before it melts. The candle will have an irregular, natural look when finished.

For pillars, you can pour wax into cardboard tubes, vases, glasses, or other cylindrical containers. Remove the container after the wax has slightly set but is still pliable.

Wax paper rolled into a tube makes a quick mold, though it will need to be peeled away after the candle sets up a bit. The finished candle will have a smooth exterior with the wax paper’s creases on the inside.

Jello powder or gelatin can be used to make shaped molds that leave behind a fruity scent. Pour the gelatin into a mold, let set up, and then carefully pour in wax. Break away the jello to reveal the finished candle.

Specialized Candle Supplies

For those interested in candle making as a hobby or business, there are specialized supplies designed for optimal candle production. Some key supplies include:

Commercial metal & silicone molds – These durable and reusable molds allow for consistent candle shapes and clean pouring. Popular materials include aluminum, tin, steel, and flexible silicone. Silicone molds offer easy candle removal. Commercial candle equipment suppliers like Alibaba offer a wide selection.

Wicks, dyes, scents – Proper wicks are crucial for even burning. Candle dyes and scents allow for customization. Suppliers like candle making manufacturers offer wicks, dyes, and scents formulated for candle making.

Double boiler & thermometer – A double boiler allows candle wax to be safely melted at the proper temperature. A thermometer is used to monitor wax temperature during melting and cooling to achieve the ideal viscosity and crystallization.

Choosing a Mold Material

When choosing a mold material for candle making, there are a few key factors to consider:

Heat resistance – The mold needs to withstand the hot wax during pouring and cooling without warping or melting. Metal and silicone molds resist heat well. Plastic may warp.

Ease of release – You want a material that allows the finished candle to easily pop out of the mold. Silicone is known for easy release due to its flexibility. Metal may need lubrication. Plastic can stick.

Reusability – Reusable molds allow you to make multiple candles from one mold. Silicone and metal molds hold up well through repeated use. Plastic and homemade molds may be single-use.

Cost – Basic molds like aluminum pans are affordable. Silicone molds have a higher upfront cost but their reusability makes them cost-effective long-term. Fancier molds can get quite expensive.

When in doubt, opt for silicone. It ticks all the boxes – heat resistance, easy release, reusable, and available in a range of affordable designs. Check reviews and avoid cheap plastic molds. With the right mold material, candle making can be easy and fun!

Making the Candle

Once you have chosen an appropriate mold, it’s time to start making your pillar candle. There are a few key steps in the process:

Preparing the Mold

Make sure your mold is clean and ready for pouring. Plastic and silicone molds will need a release agent applied so the wax doesn’t stick. Common release agents include silicone sprays and vegetable oils. Apply a light coat before each use. Metal molds often don’t need a release agent.

Melting & Pouring Wax

Melt wax using a double boiler method to the temperature specified by the wax manufacturer, usually between 150-165°F. Pour the wax slowly and smoothly into the mold, being careful to minimize air bubbles. Allow the wax to cool completely in the mold before attempting to remove the finished candle.

Unmolding & Troubleshooting

Unmold the candle once completely cooled and solid. If the candle sticks in the mold, place it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes. Tap the sides and bottom of the mold to help release the candle. Inspect for defects like sinkholes or air pockets. Rework or remelt wax as needed. See How to Make a Pillar Candle for more tips.

Conclusion

When it comes to picking candle molds, you have plenty of options from everyday household items to specialized candlemaking supplies. While basic molds like aluminum cans, glasses, and bowls offer convenience, more creative containers like seashells, silicone molds, and carved citrus fruit can yield gorgeous artistic candles.

For best results, choose a mold material that can withstand hot wax without deforming. Smooth, non-porous surfaces tend to release the finished candle easiest. If using a disposable container, coat it in oil or silicone spray so the candle pops out cleanly. Let the wax cool completely before removing the candle from its mold.

With some imagination and experimentation, you can transform all sorts of objects into customized candle molds. Raid your recycling bin for plastic containers in interesting shapes. Use cookie cutters for pillar candles that match your decor. Or get creative with silicone putty or clay to handcraft molds in any shape you desire.