If you are developing an interest in candle making it won't be long before you want to start making candles using molds.
When we think of a traditional candle shape, more often than not what we think of will be either a tall narrow white household candle with a small peak at the top or else a thicker chunkier pillar candle which is often just displayed for decoration.
Either way, these are examples of molded candles.
This simply means that melted wax is poured into a container in order to give it a specific shape once the wax has cooled and set.
One of the most important developments in the history of candle making came in the early 19th century with the invention and creation of molding machines.
Before this time making candles, molded or otherwise, was a time consuming and laborious process.
In 1834 an Englishman, Joseph Morgan, invented a machine that could make molded candles at an unbelievable rate of 1,500 in an hour.
This ability to mass-produce candles was a momentous event as it now meant that for the first time ever, candles became an affordable product to just about everyone.
You can appreciate just how significant this was, when you consider that at this time candles were still the only source of nighttime light.
Of course, there have always been ways of making candles which don't involve molds, such as dipping and pouring, as well as making container candles, but if you're interested in candle making you'll find that the area of candle molds is very extensive and one that you won't be able to resist for very long.
Candle molds can be made from a variety of materials, all with their own qualities and characteristics.
The mold you choose will probably depend upon a combination of affordability and performance for your specific application.
Molds are available in various types of metal, plastic, rubber, latex and the more modern polycarbonate.
Molds made of aluminum are very popular as they are durable and heat resistant and have an additional bonus of leaving a smooth finish to the candle.
They are also easy to clean.
Silicone molds are among the more expensive molds and rightly so as they make the candle maker's job so much easier - they are flexible but also have a certain stretchable quality so releasing candles from the mold is easier and needs no releasing agent.
Many molds are simply a container, sometimes with a wick hole at the bottom, into which you pour your melted wax, and out of which comes your finished candle.
These tend to be of a straight cylindrical shape which will naturally release from a mold without too much trouble (assuming you have remembered to use your releasing agent).
Where the molds become more intricate, with perhaps twists and embellishments to the clean line of the candle, then a two piece mold would be used.
This would normally have some sort of gasket between the two halves to prevent seepage once the melted wax was poured and be held together with clips or bands.
Once the wax is hardened and set, the two halves of the mold will be split to release your newly formed candle.
This type of two part mold would be used for novelty candles of, say, figures or animals where a certain amount of detail is required.
When we think of a traditional candle shape, more often than not what we think of will be either a tall narrow white household candle with a small peak at the top or else a thicker chunkier pillar candle which is often just displayed for decoration.
Either way, these are examples of molded candles.
This simply means that melted wax is poured into a container in order to give it a specific shape once the wax has cooled and set.
One of the most important developments in the history of candle making came in the early 19th century with the invention and creation of molding machines.
Before this time making candles, molded or otherwise, was a time consuming and laborious process.
In 1834 an Englishman, Joseph Morgan, invented a machine that could make molded candles at an unbelievable rate of 1,500 in an hour.
This ability to mass-produce candles was a momentous event as it now meant that for the first time ever, candles became an affordable product to just about everyone.
You can appreciate just how significant this was, when you consider that at this time candles were still the only source of nighttime light.
Of course, there have always been ways of making candles which don't involve molds, such as dipping and pouring, as well as making container candles, but if you're interested in candle making you'll find that the area of candle molds is very extensive and one that you won't be able to resist for very long.
Candle molds can be made from a variety of materials, all with their own qualities and characteristics.
The mold you choose will probably depend upon a combination of affordability and performance for your specific application.
Molds are available in various types of metal, plastic, rubber, latex and the more modern polycarbonate.
Molds made of aluminum are very popular as they are durable and heat resistant and have an additional bonus of leaving a smooth finish to the candle.
They are also easy to clean.
Silicone molds are among the more expensive molds and rightly so as they make the candle maker's job so much easier - they are flexible but also have a certain stretchable quality so releasing candles from the mold is easier and needs no releasing agent.
Many molds are simply a container, sometimes with a wick hole at the bottom, into which you pour your melted wax, and out of which comes your finished candle.
These tend to be of a straight cylindrical shape which will naturally release from a mold without too much trouble (assuming you have remembered to use your releasing agent).
Where the molds become more intricate, with perhaps twists and embellishments to the clean line of the candle, then a two piece mold would be used.
This would normally have some sort of gasket between the two halves to prevent seepage once the melted wax was poured and be held together with clips or bands.
Once the wax is hardened and set, the two halves of the mold will be split to release your newly formed candle.
This type of two part mold would be used for novelty candles of, say, figures or animals where a certain amount of detail is required.