Candles are not that hard to do even at home. However, you will need to have different candlemaking equipment in order to make them.
First, you need to gather all your equipment together in one spot before you actually begin the process of making candles. This will make it much easier for you when you are trying to figure out what size container is appropriate for your candle, and what type of wick should be used with it.
Different Types of Candle Making Equipment
Here is the following candlemaking equipment you need:
Containers
The containers that hold your candles can vary widely based on personal preferences and tastes. The most common types of candlemaking equipment containers come in the forms of glasses, jars, vases, mugs, bowls, and tealight holders. Each has unique sizes and shapes which allows for different uses in crafting candles at home.
Glasses are usually cylindrical-shaped items similar to a drinking glass. They are made out of heat-resistant materials that can handle high temperatures. Glasses can be used for taller pillar candles which need to withstand the heat of burning without causing them to break down or shatter.
Jars are slightly shorter in height compared to glasses, but they are still very versatile in candle design. You can make taper candles out of jars, votives using jar containers as well as tealights where you use a small votive inside it. The advantage of using jars is that you can put objects inside the container itself before adding wax into it, creating an exciting visual effect when lighted up by flames.
Vases come in various shapes and sizes allowing you to create both tall and short pillar candles plus tapers and votives. You can turn any vase into a candle holder that has its own unique design which makes it attractive to the eye.
Mugs are great for tea light candles since they have small openings on top of them meaning you do not have to use an additional cup or saucer underneath them when lit up.
Tealight holders are also similar in design, but they tend to be smaller than mugs while still big enough for tealights to sit on top without having the wax drip all over the place. Bowls are cylindrical containers that are large in size allowing you to make pillar candles out of them with wider diameters compared to glasses and jars.
Wicks
There are many different types of wicks available to suit the many different types of candlemaking equipment that are needed. To keep things simple, you can buy wick kits that contain pre-selected materials for your making candles. Here are the most common types of wicks available:
Pillar Wick – This comes in various sizes depending on how tall or small your pillar candles will be. You should use this type if you plan on using jars because it is very sturdy and can hold up high temperatures better than any other type out there.
Tapered Wick – If you plan on making taper candles, then this one would be perfect to use due to its shape which allows it to fit inside glass containers easily without having wax drip everywhere. It also burns brightly when lit with flames.
Votive Wick – This type of wick is best suited for use with votive candle containers since it is short and thin allowing you to easily fit the wick into the opening on top of the glass.
Tealight Wick – Tealights need a very small well-fitting wick so this will help you get the job done right without much effort. It burns brightly when lit with flames too, making it perfect for tea light candles.
Other Things Needed
There are other things needed in order to start your project off right which include using empty bottles as molds, color dyes if you plan on adding them, unscented paraffin wax, thermometers that can handle high temperatures, mold sealer, and wicks. You can get all of these supplies from a local craft store or online depending on where you plan on getting your materials from.
Is it required to have candlemaking equipment when making candles?
No, you are not required to have any of this equipment on hand in order to make candles. You can simply use molds instead of glasses or jars if you want something quick and simple without having to spend too much money. Molds come with their own set of pros and cons compared to using glasses or jars though, so it’s up to you which one would work best for your needs.
You can also use random household items as substitutes for wicks if need be such as metal hangers but keep in mind they will burn out rather quickly so this really only works for emergency situations where you need a temporary wick.
Conclusion
Candlemaking equipment is not expensive at all considering how many different types of items there are that are good for making candles. You can really make anything out of metal, glass, or clay materials which is what makes this craft so much fun, to begin with.
Using candlemaking equipment is not required when starting your hobby, but you’ll find it’s worth getting overtime in order to save money on supplies and make even better-looking candles at the end of the day! If you want to learn more about candles and candlemaking, visit our site today!