How to Make Container Candles

Start by gathering all the items that you will need. Our paraffin conatiner candle starter kit contains many of the items found in this tutorial. The Candle making process will go much more smoothly if everything is readily accessible.

Single Pour Paraffin Container Wax

Candle Jars

Fragrance Oil

Pouring Pot

Thermometer

Candle Wicks

EZ Wick Setter, Pen Shaft, or a Straw (to help you secure your wick)

UV Stabilizer(optional, but recommended)

Wick Stickers or Glue Dots

Parchment Paper or Newspaper

Paper Towels

Metal Spoon or Stir Stick

Sauce Pan

Metal Cookie Cutter or Trivet

Wick Bars

Cookie Sheet or Pan

Cover your work area with butcher paper or newspaper. Spills or drips are most times unavoidable, and clean-up is much easier if you don’t have to clean wax off of your work surface.

First, you will need to heat your containers. Preheat the oven to around 150° - 170°, or the lowest temperature setting. The “Keep Warm” setting will work if you can not set the temperature that low. Place the containers you will be using on a cookie sheet or pan and put them in the oven. The containers can stay in the oven until you are ready to use them. Heating not only helps eliminate jump lines, but it also helps prevent possible breakage when pouring hot wax into a cold container.

The amount of wax required should be weighed out. If you are using one of the jars we carry, you can find the recommended amount of wax to the "fill line" in the description box on the product page. Cutting the single pour container waxes is fairly easy. In the picture, a metal spatula is used, but you can also use a putty knife or a butter knife. The wax can be weighed in the pouring pot so you do not have to transfer it from a different container.

The wax will need to be heated to 170° - 180° in a double boiler. To create a double boiler, put about an inch of water in the sauce pan, and then place the pouring pot in the water. It is a good idea to add an inexpensive metal trivet or cookie cutter under the pouring pot to elevate it. Doing this ensures the wax is not receiving direct heat from any side. Adjust the heat to a medium-low setting. The water needs to be boiling, but it does not have to come to a rolling boil. If the water is at a rolling boil, it may splatter out of the pan. Check the temperature of the wax occasionally to make certain it is not getting too hot. Adjust the temperature as needed. While the wax is melting you can continue with the next steps, but make sure that the wax is never left unattended.

Once the wax has reached the proper temperature, you are ready to add the fragrance oil. Depending on the wax you are using, you could add 0.5 – 2 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. It is most common to add 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. The fragrance is most accurately measured by weight, but you can also use a tablespoon to measure it if the scale you have does not measure a small amount precisely. A tablespoon is equal to 0.5 ounce. Pour the fragrance into the wax and stir it.

Next, add the desired amount of dye. If using dye blocks, the block will melt into the wax more quickly if it is cut into small pieces. After adding the desired amount, stir the mixture until it is blended thoroughly. Skip to step 7 if you are using color blocks.

If using liquid dyes, just add the desired amount of drops. Since you can not remove dye once it has been added, it should be added sparingly, especially if you are trying to achieve a light color. You can always add a little more if it is not dark enough. After adding the desired amount, stir the mixture until it is blended thoroughly.

When you look at the liquid wax, it will usually look much darker than when it has completely cooled. To test the color, you can drip a small amount of wax onto a paper plate or paper towel. (Make sure not to drip the hot wax on your hands). Allow it to harden, and you will be able to see a more accurate representation of the color. You can then add more dye if desired.

At this point, you can add UV stabilizer if you choose. The addition of UV stabilizer will help keep the color from fading if the candles are exposed to UV rays or fluorescent lighting. You would add about ½ teaspoon per pound of wax. Mix everything together very thoroughly. Mixing it for 3 – 5 minutes would be best. Check the temperature again to make sure it is between 175° - 185°F. Remove the pouring pot from the double boiler. The handle of the pouring pot may heat up slightly, so be sure to use a hot pad or something to protect your hand. You may also want to set the pouring pot on a few paper towels to absorb the water from the double boiler.

Next, you need to add wicks to the containers. Remove the containers from the oven, and place them on your work surface. You may need to use a hot pad because they will be hot to the touch. Securing the wicks to the bottom of the container is important so they stay centered and do not shift while you are pouring the wax. The EZ Wick Setter is a convenient way to make sure the wicks are centered. Add the Glue Dot or Wick Sticker to the bottom of the wick tab, then use the EZ Wick Setter to firmly attach the wick to the container. Skip to step 11.

If you do not have an EZ Wick Setter, you can also use a hollowed out pen or a straw to aid in setting the wicks. Insert the wick through the pen shaft or straw. Add the Glue Dot or Wick Sticker to the bottom of the wick tab, and then use the pen shaft or straw to press it to the bottom of the container. Pull the pen shaft or straw off the wick, and you are ready to pour into the containers.

Slowly pour the wax into the container making sure not to fill past the widest part of the jar. (There are exceptions to this, such as the tureen jar.) If you pour too quickly, the wax may splash up the side of the jar or form small air bubbles on top of the wax. The wick may lean slightly when the hot wax is poured on the wicks, but this will be corrected when you add the wick bar.

Center the wick bar on top of the container, pull up gently, and slide the wick into the slit. Do not pull up too firmly, or the wick tab may release from the bottom of the jar. Check again to ensure the wick is centered, and adjust the wick bar if needed. The containers can now be left to completely cool. It is best if you move them as little as possible so the wax does not slosh up the sides of the container. Make sure there are no fans or air vents blowing directly on them since you do not want to accelerate the cooling process.

When the candle has completely set, the top may have a "crater" that has formed near or surrounding the wick. This is normal even when using a single pour wax and it may require a small second pour to level the top of the candle out. Please remember that removing the wick bar too soon will disrupt the wax around the wick.

Trim the wick to ¼” length using wick trimmers, scissors or nail clippers. Be sure not to trim them too short because they would not burn properly. You may then put the lid back on the container.

It is highly recommended to add a caution label. You may also choose to add labels unique to your business or fragrance name labels.

Are you ready to give it a try?

Our Container Candle Starter Kit is a great way to get everything you need to start making candles or you may choose to order everything you need separately by browsing our selection of candle making supplies.

Tag us if you share your creations on your social media accounts! You can use the hashtag #lonestarcommunity and see your beautiful creations on our Lone Star Community page.