Basic Gel Candles

Item#  

BASICGEL

List Price  

$1.00

You will need  

 

Candle Gel Wax

A melting pot for wax

Pre-tabbed wicks

A thermometer

Liquid candle dye

Scent

A stove or hot plate

 

A suitable work area

Glass jars to pour your gel into

Step 1  

Prepare your work area – gather your materials. Place your gel into an electric melting pot, with a temperature control or directly on you stove burner on med/low heat. NOTE: Presto makes a 6-quart pot with a control and it sells for under $30.

 

Step 2  

Heat to 250 F and keep it at this temperature until the gel appears as a clear liquid. Attach your wick tab to the bottom center of the container either with hot glue or a small piece of double back tape or a dot of melted gel.

 

Step 3  

Add your color and fragrance, stir well, stir some more, and then keep stirring. By stirring and mixing you are making absolutely sure that the fragrance mixes with the gel properly so that your candles will not cloud or appear distorted when they are cool. Only a very small amount of liquid dye is needed to color your gel. It’s easier to control your color if you stick a skewer into the bottle of liquid dye and then let the color drip into your gel. You can add more if necessary. NOTE: You must use a liquid candle dye. You cannot use powered or wax dye chips. Please remember that adding more than the recommended amount of fragrance to your gel creates a fire hazard.

 

Step 4  

Allow the gel to cool to 200 F. Pour your candle between 180 F and 200 F. NOTE: If you pour it in layers a few minutes apart, you can avoid a well in the top.

 

Step 5  

Enjoy your candles! Watch them burn and enjoy the fragrance that you picked. Handmade candles also make great gifts. Your friends will enjoy receiving something that’s handmade and if the directions are followed properly you will have made candles that are a better quality than what you can buy in most stores!

 

Ideas Variations  

 

TIPS

If you are going to embed items in the gel they have to be clean of all residue. This is especially true of seashells. If you wash the items to be embedded in warm mineral oil (baby oil) it will not only keep the gel clearer, but also it will help reduce the bubbles in your candle.

 

Wax, paraffin wax, or beeswax will make your gel cloudy and sticky.

 

Pouring your gel cooler will create more air bubbles and pouring it hotter will reduce the number of air bubbles in your finished candle.

 

Printable PDF  

 

Click here for a printable PDF version

 

Closing  

I hope that you have had fun making your candles – I know I enjoy making candles more than just about anything! If you have any questions or need any supplies, feel free to contact me at any time!

Keep in touch too! I would love to hear how your candles turned out. Happy candle making!

 

Your Friend,

Cindy Novack

 

* Instructions are a copyright of Candles and Supplies.com and may not be copied or reproduced without permission