Candlemaking
Practical Action
the hot wax for about 3-4 seconds at a time. They must be allowed to cool slightly between each
dip (for between 1 and 4 minutes, depending upon room temperature). Each time the wicks are
dipped another layer of wax is built up and the candles begin to take shape. In order to obtain a
well-formed candle, the wick should be submerged and withdrawn as smoothly as possible to
achieve even layers with no drips or other surface imperfections. The length of the candles will
result from the depth to which they are dipped and their thickness will be determined by the
number of times they are dipped.
The temperature of the liquid wax is important and should be frequently measured; if the liquid
wax gets too hot it will melt off more wax from the candles than it adds. On the other hand, if the
liquid wax is allowed to get too cool a fine skin will form on the top of the wax and interfere with
the clean dipping process. The rate at which the candles grow depends upon three things; the
temperature of the wax, the room temperature and the time allowed between dips. When the
required thickness has been achieved, the candles are removed, trimmed at their lower ends and
allowed to cool.
Figure 3: Hand dipping
1. Priming wicks
2. Dipping to build candle thickness
3. Final dipping
4. Hanging to cool
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Colours and effects
Dipped candles can be made from pre-coloured wax which
will give them a solid colour throughout their thickness.
Alternatively they can be made in white wax and then
given a final dip in coloured wax which will produce a
coloured ‘outer skin’. This is known as ‘overdipping’.
After the final dip and while the candles are still warm
they can be experimented with to produce a variety of
decorative shapes. They can for example be rolled flat and
twisted or shaped into curves or twisted together before
being allowed to cool completely. Alternatively warm
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5 Figure 4: Dipping equipment