DIY tuinkaarsen maken

4 - Making garden candles

Supplies:

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Garden candles bring the coziness from inside to outside. A garden candle is also ideal for using up all the remains of candles. The black smoke, when paraffin is renewed, will leave markings on walls, which in the home can be the result of reused paraffin.

Ratios of stearin and paraffin

With candle remains

Candle remains, old candles, residual paraffin

When making your first candles, you will probably use candle scraps that you had or received yourself. Because we do not always know the composition of candle remains, I recommend that you use the following proportions. It is also very important that the candle remains are properly cleaned first. Melt the candle remains and pour everything through a metal fine sieve in which you place a sheet of paper handkerchief so that impurities and old wicks remain behind.

Mixing ratio:
50% candle residue
50% new paraffin
10% stearin = from the candle residue/paraffin ratio.

Prepare the mold for pouring the garden candle.

Melting kettle for paraffin 1 Warm the paraffin to its melting point ± 68°C
Keep the temperature as low as possible or until the paraffin liquefies.
The lower the temperature, the less the paraffin will shrink and adhere better to the shape of the pot.
Add a scent such as citronella or lavender.


Wick, wick, wick to make garden candles 2 Prepare the wick using the wick support. Wick base for wicks, metal support for wick.
You can use a double-sided sticker, but I find it more convenient to pour a base of liquid paraffin and then tighten the wick after the paraffin has hardened.
3 Tighten the fuse using a needle or stick.
I like to make my garden candles BIG. They burn for a long time and the warmth of the candlelight on a chilly evening is always welcome.

4 Casting the mold is not unimportant. Due to the thick wick, which is not waxed, you will have to pour over the wick. By pouring over the wick, the wick will be better soaked by the paraffin, this ensures that the candle will burn stably and will not 'dance' while burning. Air in a wick/candle makes the candle unstable and will smoke and go out with a small gust of wind. Our wicks are braided in such a way that the wick easily absorbs paraffin.

Finally:

Enjoy burning your homemade garden candle.

Important:
  • Cover the work surface and wear an apron!
  • When pouring, make sure the pot is flat and on a sturdy surface.
  • Prepare only as much color as you need.
  • Check the temperature of the wax with a thermometer.
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 instructions )

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