Pillar Candle

In this lesson, we will look at the process of making a pillar candle without additives.

What you’ll need:

1) Wax
2) Double boiler (water bath) or a wax melter
3) Silicone mold
4) Kitchen thermometer
5) Scale
6) Heat gun
7) Thick needle with a large eye
8) Wick centering tool
9) Scissors
10) Water
11) Paper towels; a silicone mat/heat-resistant surface; gloves (optional).

LET’S START MAKING:

Step 1) Preparation – Open
Step 2) Melting the wax – Open
Step 3) Mold preparation – Open
Step 4) Pouring the wax – Open
Step 5) Top-up pour – Open
Step 6) Demolding – Open

STEP 1. PREPARATION

1) Calculate the amount of wax needed to make the candle.
If you’re using your mold for the first time, you need to measure how much wax it will take: place the mold on the scale, turn it on, and fill the mold with water. Multiply the water weight (g) by the wax density (≈0.9 g/mL for many waxes). Then add 3–10% to account for residue in the pouring pot. For best accuracy, weigh the finished candle and save the exact grams for next batches.

2) Place the melting pitcher on the scale and tare it, then add the required amount of wax.

STEP 2. MELTING THE WAX

1) Place the double boiler with wax on the stove over medium heat.

2) Stir the wax periodically and wait until it is fully melted.

3) Use a thermometer to monitor the wax temperature and do not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum heating temperature (e.g., 90–95 °C).

STEP 3. MOLD PREPARATION

1) Make sure the mold is completely clean and dry.

2) Cut the wick and thread it through the needle’s eye; the wick should be longer than the mold’s height.

3) Pierce the mold exactly in the center with the needle and pull the wick through.

4) Secure the wick with a wick centering tool.

STEP 4. POURING THE WAX

STEP 5. TOP-UP POUR

When the surface has set but is still warm, trim the wick, then top off with a small amount of wax.

1) When the wax has set a little and is no longer liquid, trim the wick.

2) Pour a small additional amount of wax on top.

3) Leave the candle until it fully hardens.

STEP 6. DEMOLDING

1) After the wax has fully hardened (the setting time varies by wax and mold.), gently turn the mold inside out slightly or fold back the edges.

2) If necessary, press the candle from underneath with your fingers to help it come out; do not try to pull it out, especially if the shape is complex.

3) Remove the candle from the mold.

4) Trim the wick to a length of 3–5 mm.