How to Make Candles

Learning how to make candles at home is easy and a lot of fun! With the internet, now anyone can order the candle making supplies needed to not just make an ordinary candle, but one that is comparable or even superior to many popular brands. Here is an excellent site that sells candle making supplies including soy wax!

Below, I've included a simple tutorial for how to make candles in your own kitchen. Don't worry, there really is nothing to it and remember, have fun!

Here is what you’ll need:

  • Crock pot or a double broiler
  • Thermometer
  • Candle wax chips (preferably pre-formulated for candles)
  • Glass container with a lid (for the candle)
  • An appropriate sized pre-tabbed wick (the larger the jar, the larger the wick diameter needs to be in order to burn a puddle to the edges of the jar)
  • Essential oils or scented candle oils.
  • Food coloring


    • Optional:
  • Candle Making Kit


    Step 1

    Heat the wax in the crock pot or double broiler to 160 degrees. For safety reasons, watch your temperature and make sure the wax does not get too hot. While the wax is heating, pre-heat the candle jar in the oven on lowest setting. (This helps the wax adhere to the glass better)

    Step 2

    When the wax reaches 160 degrees, mix the scented oils first and stir. When mixed thoroughly, add food coloring and stir again. ***Always keep an eye on the temperature. If the wax gets too hot, it can be a severe fire hazard***

    Step 3

    Take glass candle jar out of oven and carefully pour the candle ingredients into the jar leaving room at the top so the lid will fit and save a little wax for topping off. (The wax will sink in the middle after the first pour cools and a second pour is needed to level this off. This is called 'topping off').

    Step 4

    Straighten the wick and lower the metal disk base into the melted wax and try to place the disk as close to the center of the candle as possible. The wick should stand straight up on its own. (Don’t worry about the wick being perfectly centered, just try to make sure the base is centered)

    Tip: To make it easier to keep the wick centered, try adhering the the base of the wick with a glue dot. They work like double-sided tape and are not affected by heat.

    Step 5

    Let the candle cool to where there is a semi-hardened crust on top. Now take the wick and adjust it so that it is centered in the jar (the crust will hold the wick in place when you adjust it)

    Step 6

    Let the candle completely cool at room temperature (could take as much as 6 hours). When cooled, you will notice that the wax will have sunken some in the middle. Reheat the remaining wax in your crock pot to about 185 degrees and pour just enough to flow to the edges of the glass.

    And Finally! – Step 7

    Let cool and trim wick to about a quarter inch and your very own custom candle is ready for you to enjoy! If you would like to be creative, try making candles with different containers. You can use porcelain, brass cans, or anything that will withstand the intense heat from the flame. If you are unsure about the safety of the container, just play it safe and don't use it. Your friends will be impressed with your handy work when you tell them it is one of your "originals"! Learning how to make candles is fun!



    Now you know the basics of how to make candles! For unique candle making ideas, check out my candle gifts page.

    Click here for instructions on how to make pillar candles.