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Making candles doesn't have to be expensive. You can use many items that you already have at home, or you can buy them cheaply at garage sales. If you do need to buy anything at a store, you can almost always find coupons for it in your Sunday newspaper. You can also order what you need via the Internet.
 | Get only the barebones equipment when you start out. As you venture into the hobby more, you get a better feel for the types of candles you want to make and the equipment you need. |
Lining up your equipment
What you're basically doing in candle making is melting solid wax over your heat source. So the first item you need is some type of heat source. Your stove, of course, is perfect for this function, but some people use a small camping stove. In fact, it doesn't matter whether your stove is gas or electric.
 | Don't use a microwave to melt your wax. The temperature is too hard to control, and you can easily overheat the wax. |
Finding your (melting) pot
After you have a heating source, you need something to melt your wax in. Wax heats up quickly and can explode if it gets too hot, which is why you almost always must use an indirect method of melting it. In other words, don't melt your wax in a pot directly on your burner. Instead, you need some type of double boiler system.
| If you don't have a double boiler (preferably metal), don't think that you have to rush out and buy one. You can use a small pot placed inside a larger pot to get the same effect. The small pot needs to be propped up in some way so that it doesn't rest on the bottom of the larger pot. You can use a trivet, or several small tin cans resting on the bottom of the larger pot. You want the top, smaller pot to be at least 1/2 inch above the base of the larger pot. |
| You probably are pouring your wax from the top pot into your molds (unless you're dipping your candles). A mold is simply a hollow object into which you pour your melted wax; as the wax cools, it hardens and takes on the shape of your mold. Craft stores have metal melting containers with a handy little pour spout. These containers make cleanup and pouring a whole lot easier. |
Collecting the necessities
When you have your heating source and double boiler out of the way, you're ready to get some other necessary items, including a
- Mold. The type of material your mold is made of doesn't matter. In fact, you have many mold options, from store-bought ones, to molds you recycle from items around home, to molds you make yourself.
| Purchase a few basic ones at first to get a feel for what you like. Then, after your creativity is stimulated, you can find many additional mold options around your home that you can use for free. |
- Thermometer. You can purchase a specialized wax thermometer or use a candy or cooking thermometer as long as it has the appropriate temperature ranges on it. You want the thermometer to register temperatures ranging from 100 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Don't even try to make candles without a thermometer; it's too dangerous! Wax gets hot quickly, and unlike items you cook, you can't eyeball wax and know by sight that you've overdone it. The only way to properly guarantee the temperature is with a thermometer. |
| You can find thermometers that attach to the side of your melting pot. Check your local craft store, cooking store, or online candle-making resource. |
- Dipping can. If you're going to be dipping taper candles, then you want some type of metal container that's wide enough and tall enough to dip your wicks into. Of course, you can purchase these cans, but you can also use something from home. You may not even need to purchase or find another container if your melting pot is at least 12 inches wide. You can just use it to dip your candles.
- Ladle or large metal spoon. As the wax melts, you need to stir it occasionally. A ladle or large metal spoon works well. As long as you don't leave the spoon in the wax mixture, you can even get by with a long-handled plastic spoon, which is easy to clean and doesn't absorb wax or scent. (The likelihood of melting increases when you're working with gel wax, which requires a higher melting point.)
If you look at the preceding list, you can see why making candles is so inexpensive.
Adding other helpful items
Of course, if you like gadgets, you can always find more equipment to spend your money on. As you continue making candles, you may want to buy some of the following items. None is mandatory, but these items may make your candle-making adventures more enjoyable.
- Kitchen scale: You may want to weigh your wax and wax additives to ensure that you're using just the right amount for consistent results, but you certainly don't have to. If you melt too much wax, you can just recycle it to use later.
| If you do opt for a scale, a digital postal scale is much more accurate than a spring-type diet scale, especially for weighing additives and fragrances, but they do cost more money. |
- Baking pan: Use an old baking pan lined with aluminum foil for cleaning your molds. Just be careful with your molds because if you use too high a temperature or heat them for too long, it may begin to melt away.
- Scissors, razor blade, or craft knife: Sharp tools enable you to trim your wick and cut your wax.
- Hammer and/or screwdriver: Sometimes you need to break your slabs of wax apart, depending on their size. You can place a screwdriver in the wax and hammer the end of it to make the job easier. Place a protective surface, such as a cutting board, on your countertop before hammering — unless you don't mind gouges in your countertop!
Other items you may want on hand include measuring cups and spoons, extra spoons if you want to add fragrance or dyes, and a tape measure if you plan to measure your candle mold or finished candle.
Gathering your supplies
Supplies are anything that you need to replenish after you start making candles. That includes candle waxes, wax additives, and wicks.
The following are a few other supplies you need:
- Mold sealer: You may also hear mold sealer referred to as wick sealer, and the latter name gives its function away: You use it to close up the hole where you thread in your wick so that the wax doesn't leak out.
- Releasing agent: You may also hear a releasing agent referred to as a mold release. You can purchase a silicone spray at any craft store, or you can raid your kitchen and use everyday vegetable oil. The latter works just as well as any releasing agent.
- Wax glue: If you decide to get decorative with your candles, you can purchase wax glue to attach embellishments or pieces of wax to the sides of your candle.
- Wick tabs: If you buy untabbed wicks, you may want to purchase wick tabs, which are thin metal bases that attach to the bottom of your wick. These tabs are usually used for votives and container candles because the bases help support your wick so that it stands up straight. You can also use them for molds that don't have a hole in the bottom for the wick because they help your wick stay at the bottom of your candle when you pour the wax.
If you're going to go beyond making basic candles, you may want to purchase supplies that enable you to color and scent your candles. Wax dye comes in a variety of forms, including powder, liquid, and solid chips. You can also add fragrance using essential oils, synthetic scents specially formulated for candles, and herbs.
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