Soy Jar Candles
Well, you have finally done it; decided to either try your hand at making candles or try making soy candles. We are very happy that you are here and we know that you will love making soy candles. They are fast and easy to make and when you make soy candles, you don’t need to worry about cleaning up a bunch of molds.
Creating soy candles are very similar to creating other types of candles. You will melt wax, add color and pour them into jars. The end result is a beautiful and vibrantly colored candle that offers hours of burning time.
What you need:
- Soy Wax: You can purchase soy wax at most craft stores or candle making supply shops. Usually it comes in a bag and looks like a large flake.
- Wicks: There are several types of wicks that you can purchase but if you are looking to create an eco-friendly candle, I would recommend avoiding any zinc-core wicks. Use cotton instead.
- Wax Dye: It is important to use a wax dye and not food coloring or any other type of dye.
- Rubbing Alcohol: You only need this for prep work.
- Double Boiler: This can be a double boiler that you purchase for the special reason of candle making or it can be a pot filled with about 2 or 3 inches of water with a coffee can placed in the center of it.
- Glue: To attach the wick to the container.
- Pencil: This is for keeping the wick from slipping into the hot wax.
- Glass Jars: You can find different types of jars that are more decorative than simple canning jars but you can also use simple jars.
Directions:
- Before you begin making your candle, it is important to clean the jars with warm water and dish soap. Dry the jars completely and then wipe them down with rubbing alcohol. This will remove any grease or fingerprints. Once they are clean, warm them in the oven at 150°F.
- Measure out the amount of soy wax using a digital scale. It is better if you measure out the wax in the jar first. Pour in the wax flakes slightly higher than what you want the wax level to be at in you jar. Pour it into a paper cup and then measure the wax. Use the same measurement for all the other jars if you are making more than one.
- If you are doing a large number of candles, I would recommend working in patches of 6 to 12 jars. Pour the wax flakes into the double boiler that should be set on the stove on medium-low temperature.
- Melt the wax. The back of the package should have the recommended temperature for the soy but generally you are looking at about 130°F before it is ready to use. Make sure you use a candy thermometer to test the temperature.
- When the wax is about 110°, add the wax dye and stir it in with a wooden spoon.
- Once the wax has melted, pour it into a pouring pot and let it sit for a few minutes.
- While the wax is melting, prepare your wicks by gluing one end into the center of the jar and tying the other end onto a pencil. Place the pencil along the rim of the jar to hold the wick up.
- Keep an eye on the cooling wax and wait until there is a fine film on the top of the wax. This is when you will want to pour the wax into the jars.
- Pour the wax into the jars and allow the candles to sit.
Whenever you make your own candles, it is important to let the candle cure for a period of time. Never use a candle until it has been sitting for about 3 or 4 days to ensure that you get the best results from the candle.
-Sirena Van Schaik