Gel Candles

What are Gel Candles?

Gel candles are made from gelled mineral oils or gelled synthetic hydrocarbons to produce a transparent candle, often with wax figurines suspended within the gel substance. A gel candle will also contain a thickening agent to make the gel more rigid, and is contained in a glass vessel to hold the shape.

Gel candles have become popular gift items and make the perfect gift. There are some extraordinarily beautiful gel candles available. The figurines within the gel can be anything from seashells to herbs to more personalized specialty figurines like a wedding couple or a person's favorite animal or sea creature.

Gel candles can also be dual purpose candles in that they can also double as aromatherapy candles. In such a case these candles will have the actual herb twigs or plants suspended in the wax, for a nice visual potpourri effect as well as the aromatherapy effects of the essential oils that are released as the candle burns. Just imagine the feeling of relaxation and tranquility when burning a gel candle that has chamomile in it.

Gel Candles "Dissected"

Gel candles will have a cored candle wick. Cored candle wicks are generally a paper and cotton mix with a core of tin or zinc to help it remain straight and rigid. To ensure the core is not made of lead, rub a white piece of paper over the unburned wick. A "positive" lead test is indicated if a pencil-like mark appears. In case of a positive lead test result you should not burn that candle.

Gel wax is the other ingredient in gel candles. There are different grades of gel waxes.

Penreco Candle Gel Grades

  • LD - Low Density – for the novice candle maker this is the easiest grade to use. It holds about ½ oz of fragrance oil to a pound of gel. It melts quickly and is easy to use. For the expert, serious "gellers" who plan on shipping their gel candles it may not be suitable as it does not stand up to being tipped or tilted.
  • MD - Medium Density - This is the most popular grade of gel amongst "gellers" because it holds ¾ oz scent to 1 lb gel wax, so it holds more fragrance and will give a stronger scent when burning. It has a slightly thicker consistency than the LD and is suitable for shipping finished candles.
  • HD - High Density - This holds a full ounce of scent to a pound of gel. It is very thick and suitable for embedding after pouring as it will solidify quicker than the other grades. For a simple gel candle that you also want to convert into a scented candle however, this is where you want to start as this type of gel candle will hold a lot more fragrance and hold its shape better than other densities.

You can purchase pre-made gel or you can make your own. For the novice the pre-made gel is a much better option. Just check the links page for suppliers of gel wax and under the resources section in the links page you can find links to formulas to make your own gel.

A Note of Caution:

  • When making gel candles it is advisable to keep the following in mind: Gel melts at approximately 180 to 200° F and has a flash point of 360° F. It melts much slower than paraffin so you will need to melt it over a direct heat source rather than in a double boiler, and you will need to watch it like a hawk. Never leave melting gel wax unattended! When buying gel candles online, always look for manufacturers who clearly state that their candles are lead-free.