candlemaking

Candlemaking is the craft of producing candles by melting wax, combining it with a wick, and letting the liquid wax solidify in a mold or container. It covers a range of forms from simple tapers to decorative pillars and container candles, and may include fragrance, color, and texture.

Historically, candles were made from tallow or beeswax, with paraffin becoming common in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today makers use a variety of waxes, including paraffin, beeswax, soy, palm, and blends, to suit different burning characteristics and environmental concerns. Wicks, typically cotton or wood, are selected to suit the wax type and container size.

Other common additives are colorants and fragrance oils. Fragrance compounds are added during the wax melt at a prescribed temperature to balance scent throw and safety. Some makers also use additives such as stearic acid or vybar to affect opacity and burn quality.

Typical equipment includes a heat source (often a double boiler), a thermometer, molds or containers, a wick and wick centering device, and a scale. The basic method involves preparing the wick, melting the wax, monitoring temperature, adding color and fragrance as appropriate, pouring into the chosen form, and allowing the candle to cool and cure before use.

Candles vary by form (container, pillar, taper, votive, tealight) and by purpose (scented, unscented, decorative). Quality considerations include wick size, fragrance load, and avoiding frosting or sink marks. Environmental and safety considerations involve selecting sustainable waxes and observing proper handling of hot wax.