Some people enjoy cooking, and some find peace in painting. Similarly, candle enthusiasts love making candles.
If you ever tried making candles, you know how simple the steps are. Once you know the basic steps, you can use it to make different types of candles.
Nowadays, beeswax taper candles are a hot trend. Unlike regular candles, beeswax candles are safe to use. This is because it is made of natural ingredients and is completely non-toxic.
You are in the right place if you are wondering how to make beeswax taper candles. In today’s article, we will tell you how you can make beeswax candles at home.
Things You Need For Making Beeswax Taper Candles
Before getting started with the steps, you must ensure you have all the needed supplies. The things you will need for making beeswax candles are:
- You can get Beeswax pellets from a local beekeeper or store. If you are a beginner, we suggest you use store-bought wax pellets.
- Braided cotton candle wick
- One large pot
- The hex nut is an important item, so don’t skip it.
- One large mason jar
Steps To Make Beeswax Taper Candles
Here is the step-by-step guide to making your beeswax taper candles at home:
Step 1: Clean The Wax
Start by cleaning the beeswax and make it debris-free. If you are unsure how to clean wax, check video tutorials on the web to clear your doubts.
The cleaning step is needed, especially if you use beekeeper wax. You can skip this step if you are using store-bought wax.
Step 2: Melt The Wax
The next step is to melt the wax. You will need a double broiler with a wax holder in the middle.
Put the beeswax in the wax holder and fill the space around the holder with water. Now place the broiler on the stove and allow the wax to melt. We suggest you use a countertop burner to speed up the melting process.
As you all know, working with wax can quickly get messy. Place a parchment paper right under the burner to prevent wax from dripping all over the stove. This will protect the countertop from hot dripping wax.
Wait for the wax to melt, and add more water if needed. In the meantime, prepare another large jar and fill it with water. You will need this to dip the candles to cool them quickly.
Step 3: Get The Wick Ready
You will find wicks of varying quality in the market. For the best quality, you should get the thicker ones. They are durable and easy to use.
Wicks are available in rolls. If you make candles regularly, you should buy the bigger rolls to save more. It is also important to check the wick’s quality before purchasing it.
Cut the wicks according to the size of candles you want. Now tie hex nuts on both ends of the wick to weigh them down. This will help you straighten the candles.
Step 4: Make Candles
After melting the wax, it’s time for you to make candles. The number of beeswax candles you can make depends on the amount of wax you have. Since beeswax is expensive, make sure not to waste it.
Hold the wick dip both ends into melted wax and pull them out quickly. Now dip the same two ends in water and pull it out.
Now straighten the wick by gently tugging on the two ends of the wick. Smoothen out any wax lumps using your fingers. After straightening, go for the second dip the same way you did before. Once again, straighten the wick and remove the lumps. Repeat these steps until the candle becomes thick.
After reaching the desired thickness, you can remove the hex nuts tied at the ends of the wick. Also, remove the water droplets on the candles using your hand.
Once you are done with the above steps, hang the candles and let them cool down.
Step 5: Finish The Candles
It takes a few minutes for the candles to cool down. After that, lay them on a clean surface.
Cut the bottom part of the candles right above the spot where the hex nut is tied. Make sure to use a sharp scissor or knife for cutting.
Smoothen out the bottom part of the candles using your fingers. Make them stand upright and gently press the button on a flat surface. This will help straighten the base. Once you are done, hang them in a safe spot.
Now it’s time to get rid of the hex nuts you tied to the candles in the first step. Also, get rid of the pieces of wick that are attached to the hex nuts. Put the wax in a pot, so you can use it for making more candles.
Let the candles rest for 24 hours. You can light them the next day.
It should be noted that the color of candles will vary based on the beeswax you are using.
Next day, when you are ready to use the candles, trim the wick and make it short. No worries if you don’t have a taper candle holder to support the candles. You can use a small dish as a candle holder.
Once you light the candle, the wax will start melting. The wax droplets drip down the candle’s body and accumulate on the dish. After the candle has served its purpose, you can repurpose the melted wax to make candles again.
The process of making beeswax taper candles is a beautiful experience. If you enjoy making candles, you should try working with beeswax. The good thing about beeswax is that they are completely non-toxic and harmless. You can use these candles to create lovely decorations at home.
Lighting a few candles makes your winter evenings cozy and warm. It helps create an ambiance and uplifts the overall mood of the space.
Tips For Making Beeswax Taper Candles
Now that you know the beeswax candle-making process, here are some additional tips. This will help you master your candle-making skills.
- Before lighting the candle, trim the wick to about ¼ inches. Remember, when making candles, the wax level reduces with every dip.
- After each dip, put the candles in cold water. This will help harden the candles faster. Skipping this step will take you more time to harden the candles.
- When the wax level reaches a certain point, pour it into a silicone baking mold and let it harden. You can save the wax and use it for making candles again.
- If you transfer the wax from one container to another, maintain a uniform depth for the candles.
Final Words
Making beeswax taper candles can be a great pastime for candle lovers. Now that you know how these candles are made, you should try them. All you need is some beeswax, a wick, and a container. You can make beautiful candles for your home by following this candle-making guide.