candle making

nightsky224

I would like to try making candles - tea cup or jar ones. From looking online it seems I need a double boiler. I don't really want to invest in one at the moment, has any one got a money saving alternative....?

JillS_2

I used to use an empty tin (well washed) stood inside a saucepan of water (don't put the lid on saucepan). You have to be a bit careful handling it since obviously the tin doesn't have a handle. I thought this worked at least as well as a double boiler and also means that you can have different tins for different coloured wax and just leave any left over wax till the next time you're making candles. Also you can have several different colours on the go at once (for making stripy candles etc.)

Living_proof

How about any old tin in a slow cooker - or lots of different small tins as in JillS's suggestion. If you put it on slow it would have exactly the same result as a bain marie.

Rose_Crow

I use a large saucepan for the water and a smaller saucepan - like a milk pan - to put the wax in. Cost me a few quid for the milk pan and works perfectly well. Plus it has a handle so you can hold onto it making sure it stays in the water.

nightsky224

ooo great ideas thank you will have to give it a go.

Gingerbiscuit_2

Ive used a foil tin like from take away and placed over a small pan of water so its not touching. I was only melting enough wax for a small moud and still kept an eye on it, no problems at all.

Ben84

I never realised a double boiler is something people bought. I've always put a pan with some water on the hob and placed a pyrex bowl on top, supported on the edge of the pan and with a small gap between the bottom of the bowl and the water. Then just light the gas and once the water is boiling and the resulting steam is condensing on the bowl it's ready to use. A lot of people do this, although often they have the bowl touching the water directly - but I don't think that's right. The whole point of the double boiler is to limit the temperature and by relying on the heat being transfered through the steam it means the contents of the bowl will be unable to go above 100 degrees.

Anyway, pyrex bowls can take the heat, plus they're cheap new and cheaper still in charity shops. I'd probably have some just for candles as the wax can leave a foul taste that's hard to wash out.

zippychick

ive merged this with our candle making thread. Its something ive always meant to do but never got round to.:o

let us know how it goes

Zip

ally18

Hi,

I wondered if it could be done at home, anyone know?

Thanks

adouglasmhor

Yes there are even sites dedicated to it. Do you want to make rolled, dipped or moulded candles?