Candle Making Basics

One of the most important things learn about candle making is  how to use a candle making mold.  The various types of candle making molds that are available are nearly as plentiful as the number of distinct candles there are. Molds are easily purchased online or at your local craft store.  Candles made using molds are an especially unique gift idea for that special occasion because candle molds have a flexible nature.  There are molds  for Christmas presents, birthday gifts, housewarmings, baby and wedding showers, and any other special event you can think of.  Because of the number of distinctive shapes available, there is really no end to how creative you can be in making beautiful candles.

Wax is poured into a mold (containers) while it cools. When the wax is cooled completely, the wax will conform to the shape of the mold. Candle molds are made out of a variety of materials, sizes, shapes, and styles and offer a variety of different uses.  Aluminum molds are a  popular type of mold that candle makers use.  These molds are durable and heat resistant, leaving a smooth finish without leaving any seams in the finished candle.  Your candles will have the appearance of being professionally made.  These types of metal molds are commonly used in making votive and pillar candles.  They are also considerably less expensive then rubber molds.  Another benefit to using aluminum molds is that they are very easy to clean.  Just put them on a lined baking sheet in your oven, placing them upside down and heating them to about 150 degrees.  The left over wax will dissolve and drain out of the mold onto the baking tray.  The only drawback to aluminum molds is their inflexibility. There are few choices on the varying shapes or textures of the candles and require a releasing agent to get the candle out of the mold.

Rubber molds like polyurethane, silicone, or latex molds are very flexible but although polyurethane molds are flexible but they do not stretch easily.  Polyurethane molds are usually a little less expensive then silicone molds but have a strong odor that may transfer into your candle. These molds also might need a releasing agent to get the candle out of it.  Pillar and taper candles are frequently made from these types of molds.  Silicone molds are another type of rubber mold and are the most expensive molds due to their outstanding qualities.  They leave no seams, are flexible but also stretchable so that getting the candles out of the molds is easy.  Thus no no releasing agent is required.  Latex molds used to be more popular but with the advances in other types of rubber molds they are losing their appeal.  You may find it very easy to make your own molds by using liquid latex and painting it onto a structure at home. Despite requiring a lot of coats of latex, the options of different types of unique molds are endless.

Finally, plastic candle molds are the most inexpensive are not necessarily the best type.  They don’t last near as long as other types of molds because they are more brittle.  The benefit of plastic molds is that they are easy to clean.  Some warm water and a little soap will easily do the trick as long as you ensure that the mold is completely dry before using it again.  Any moisture left behind will cause water bubbles in your next candle.  Plastic candle molds are great for just starting out however if you want to take your candle making hobby to the next level, for instance turning it into a business, you will probably want to invest in different types of molds.