- Inserting wicks into homemade candles is one of the trickier concepts of candle making. Start by tying a length of wick---about 4 inches longer than needed---to a wooden pencil in a double knot. Tie a metal washer to the other end of the wick. Sink the washer in the melted candle wax and balance the pencil over the top of the candle mold. When the candle has hardened, simply snip the pencil from the wick with a pair of scissors.
- Novice candle makers are often under the impression that melting wax is the easiest part of making candles. Although it's not a difficult step, care should be taken to melt the wax to a certain temperature so that it will form and harden properly in the molds.
Purchase a candy thermometer for use in candle making, Melt paraffin at between 190 and 200 degrees F. Melt beeswax to between 150 and 170 degrees F, and melt wax made from soy at about 160 degrees F. Crystallizing wax is best when heated to between 160 and 180 degrees F. Gel wax is the oddball, coming in at between 185 and 203 degrees F.
Although wax can be melted in other ways, professional candle makers recommend always using a double boiler. - Candle making comes with its own set of safety issues. Never leave melting wax unattended. If it overheats it will smoke and eventually catch on fire. If wax does catch on fire, do not move the pan. Turn off the burner and smother the fire with a cloth or pan lid.
If hot wax spills on your skin, don't try to wipe it off. This will only smear the hot wax and cause a larger portion of your skin to become burned. Instead, immediately run the burned area under icy cold water or cover in ice cubes. If the chilled wax doesn't easily come off your skin, stop trying to remove it and go immediately to a hospital emergency room.
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