How To Make Soy Candles

Come and make your first soy wax candle! This will be a basic container candle. You may wish to add a candle scent that goes with a white candle (vanilla) since we will not be adding dye to the candle wax.

Ingredients

  • Pyrex measuring cup with 2 cup capacity (be sure to make use of a Pyrex measuring cup)
  • 1 pound of soy candle wax flakes
  • 1 ounce of candle scents
  • 1 mason jar
  • 1 candle wick preferably an HTP 105
  • Spoon
  • Super glue
  • A pair of scissors

All these ingredients should be in soy candle making kits so it may be easier to just buy a soy candle making kit online or from a candle supplier.

Method

  1. Prepare Your Molten Wax Mixture

    • Fill your 2 cup capacity Pyrex measuring cup (make sure you use Pyrex!) with soy candle wax flakes
    • Microwave the candle wax flakes for approximately 5 minutes.
    • After 5 minutes, remove the measuring cup from the microwave with a hot pad. The measuring cup will be hot, so be careful.
    • Stir the soy candle wax thoroughly.
    • The goal here is to get 15 fl. ounces of soy candle wax completely melted.
    • Once the initial wax is completely melted (you may have to microwave a little longer), you may add more candle wax or pour some out to get to 15 ounces in the measuring cup.
    • Add candle wicks to your containers.
      • Wash and dry your mason jar completely.
      • After your jar is dry, put a couple drops of super glue on the bottom of the candle wick (metal tab).
      • Then place the metal tab of the candle wick in the bottom of the mason jar.
      • Super glue sets up pretty fast, so you may only need to hold the candle wick in place for around a minute.

  2. Add the Candle Scents

    • Add 1 ounce of candle scents in the now melted 15 ounces of soy candle wax in the measuring cup.
    • Stir the mixture completely so the oil is absorbed into the soy candle wax (the candle wax should be clear and not cloudy.)
    • Your soy candle wax mixture is now ready to pour!

  3. Pouring the Soy Candle Wax

    • Some people suggest preheating the glass before pouring your wax. I personally have never broken any glass due to pouring hot wax into it. Bottom line: Be careful
    • The secret here is to pour slowly and allow the heat of the candle wax to slowly transfer into the glass.

  4. Wick the Soy Wax Candle

    • Once the jar is filled, it is time to center the candle wick when the candle wax cools.
    • NOTE: The soy candle wax will burn more evenly if the candle wick is centered.

  5. Trim the Candle Wick

    • Once your candle has completely cooled, remove the clothespin and trim the candle wick to ¼".
    • NOTE: Soy candle wax has a tendency to mottle at the top of containers, and I have yet to find a method to totally prevent this from happening. Your candle will still burn as normal, however if appearance is important to you, you may want to invest in a heat gun. Basically you would heat and melt the very top of the container with the heat gun. When the top layer cools, it will be smooth!

Voila! You've got your soy candle.

A Note of Caution:

  • Burn container candles only on a heat resistant surface. Containers can break.
  • Burn the candle for no more than 4 hours at a time.
  • Protect the candle from drafts.
  • Keep the candle wick trimmed to ¼".
  • Keep the candle away from children and pets.
  • Do no move the candle while it is burning or while there is molten wax in it.
  • Keep the candle away from flammable objects.
  • NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNNATENTED.