Scented Candle Making
Just making a pretty candle that burns is not enough for most candle makers. You may as well face it. Besides the romantic flicker of light produced by candles, the only thing going for them is a pleasant aroma. The wax that candles are made from gives off some amount of smell, but scented candle making involves properly mixing a scent into the wax to create a pleasantly fragrant.
Plant or essential oils are used in aromatherapy, and some candle makers highly regard them because they are all natural. Essential oils are usually more expensive than scents from other sources. Unfortunately, they do not blend with the wax very well during the heating process, and that causes problems with the candles burning smoothly. This is not to say that it can’t be done, because some candle makers do it regularly.
Fragrance oils are produced in countless scents. They are typically less expensive than essential oils, and they mix well with the wax. Candle makers, who are very opinionated about their oils, choose fragrance over essential oils most of the time. When making candles for yourself or experimenting, try out both items and make your own decision.
As with anything, you can put too much fragrance in your candles. This leads to problems with burning and pooling. The amount of fragrance to use varies from one authority to another. A good rule of thumb is 4 ounces per 10 pounds of wax. You can begin with this and then tweak the mix, based on how your first batch of candles comes out. You may prefer to add only a few drops on your first try, and then increase the amount on successive pours until you reach the perfect recipe. Keep good quality notes so you can duplicate the mix you like.
You will make your scented candle the same way you make any other candle. If you are using a mold, such as a votive, attach the wick by clip or adhesive to the bottom center of the mold.
Begin to heat the wax, remembering it needs to be no more than 200 degrees. It is a good idea to use a pot that has a pouring spout. When the wax liquefies, add coloring if you want, stirring it in with a small wood ladle or a Popsicle stick. Decrease the heat to 165 degrees and add the fragrance. Stir it with the same tool you used to stir the coloring, and increase the temperature to 175 degrees.
Now you can pour the wax in the mold up to a ¼ inch from the top. Make sure you keep the wick straight during the pour. You should have some wax left for a second pour. Let the wax cool completely. This can take up to 4 hours.
When the candle is cool, it should have a depression around the wick due to shrinking. Reheat the remaining wax to around 190 degrees and pour a cap on the top of the candle to just above the top. Allow candle to cool completely and clip the wick to ¼” above the top of the candle. After a few times using this procedure, you will have mastered the craft of scented candle making. Happy Crafting.
