2 - Pour candles

Supplies:

• Paraffin
• Stearin
• Casting mould
• Wick
• Pigment
• Needle + stopper
• Scale
• Pouring jug
• Bain-Marie ladle
• Thermometer
• Melting table

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Preparing to pour candles into molds.

Cast candles, also often called pillar candles, are formed by allowing the paraffin mixture to harden in a mold.
Molds can be made from PVC, metal or silicone moulds.

1. Pour the wax into the stainless steel container and heat it to 80-90 °C in a bain-marie. Add 10% stearin.
The correct temperature of the wax is essential to obtain a smooth surface and easy removal of the candle from the mold!


Be careful when melting directly in a pan!


2. You can obtain the desired shade by adding color powder to the wax (standard color).
Be careful with the dosage:

• approximately 2 - 4 g of powder for 1 kg of laundry.
• color test: pour a little liquid colored paraffin into a bowl of cold water.

Too much color powder can reduce the flammability of your candles.
Always stir well or use a mixing stick.
Have you already used our colored paraffin ? The controlled composition of paraffin, stearin, dye and fragrance provides certainty of the correct composition during candle making.

3. Preparation of the mold.

a. The wick must be adjusted to the diameter of the mold.
For non-cylindrical shapes the average diameter is decisive.

b. Use our needle which can be guided through the mold (bottom). Other needles are too thick where the wick is.


c. Use the stopper that comes with the needle to close the casting mold at the bottom. Tighten the wick between the needle and stop.
After everything has been securely attached (wick, wick holder, etc.), the bottom of the shape where the end of the wick is located can be cut.
Make sure that the wick is straight and not twisted in the casting mould. The twisted shape of the wick can cause restless burning.
Always use flat blades (these are reinforced) instead of round blades. Round wicks are recommended for stearin candles. Cut at an angle to make it easier for the fuse to fit into the mold.
(needle+stop )

4. Fill the mold with liquid wax. Do not fill to the edge, but stay one cm from the edge. This prevents your candle from 'wobbling' afterwards, which in turn requires extra work to level the bottom of the candle. When the wax cools, a crater (shrinkage hole) is formed. Puncture the paraffin and fill the crater, once, twice. which can be filled by pouring wax into it one or more times.
When casting in layers, the mold can be placed in an inclined position (place the casting mold on a sand bed).
5. When the wax has cooled completely, cut the wick from the needle. Then remove the candle from the mold. If the candle is difficult to remove, place the mold in the refrigerator for a while.


Alternative pour candles:

• Garden candles
• Candles in glass
• Candles with two or more colors

Tips for pouring candles:

• First melt stearin together with any food coloring before melting the paraffin.
• Stearin promotes shrinkage, which makes the candle easy to release from the mold.
• Pouring at a low temperature (+/- 65°C) gives a rough look to the candle
• Pouring at a high temperature (+/- 90°C) gives a smooth and shiny look to the candle.
• Take seasons into account if the temperature in the workspace is not stable.
• If you have used too low a temperature but still want a shiny candle without having to melt the candle, you can always use dipping lacquer.
• At temperatures lower than 71°C you will get a marbled appearance of the candle. You will then have to clean the mold more often. This method of using lower temperatures is also called cold casting. To obtain a more even appearance, it is better to use marble wax.
• If the paraffin mixture has exceeded 100°C, this mixture can only be used for making outdoor candles.
• Preheating the mold will make it easier to release the candle from the mold.
• Fill the casting mold to within one cm of the edge to avoid extra work afterwards.

Important:

• Cover the work surface and wear an apron!
• Make sure the casting mold is clean and dry when you pour the wax.
• Prepare only as much color as you need.
• Check the temperature of the wax with a thermometer.
• To clean the casting mold, use warm water and rub the mold with a dry cloth or paper towel.

Warning:

• Only light candles in the presence of adults.
• Beware of fire: never heat the wax directly in the mold.
• Never heat the wax directly in a pan or over an open fire.
• The washing vapor is flammable at 180 °C.
• Never leave candles burning unattended.
• Always place candles on a fireproof surface. (See our  safety regulations . )