Candle Making Best Practices: Tools, Wax Types, and Pro Tips

Candle making is a craft that blends science and creativity. From choosing the right wax to perfecting your pouring technique, every step matters if you want candles that look beautiful, burn evenly, and smell amazing.

Whether you’re new to candle making or refining your process, this guide covers the best practices every candle maker should know—including tools, wax types, fragrance temperatures, pouring methods, and curing times. Plus, we’ve included a bonus recipe for our PureFocus candle at the end.

Essential Candle Making Tools

Before you begin, gather these must-have tools:

1. Double Boiler or Wax Melter – Safely melts wax without scorching.
2. Thermometer (Digital or Infrared) – Ensures accurate wax and fragrance temperatures.
3. Pouring Pitcher – Heat-safe container for transferring melted wax.
4. Measuring Scale – For weighing wax and fragrance precisely.
5. Wick Holders or Centering Tools – Keeps your wick upright during cooling.
6. Heat Gun – Smooths out tops if sinkholes form.
7. Safety Gear – Gloves, protective glasses, and apron.

Pro Tip: Accuracy is everything in candle making. Always weigh ingredients instead of estimating.

Choosing the Right Wax

Not all wax is created equal. The type you choose impacts fragrance throw, burn time, and appearance:

• Soy Wax – Clean burn, eco-friendly, excellent for containers.
• Paraffin Wax – Strong scent throw, holds color well, but less eco-friendly.
• Beeswax – Natural, long-lasting, with a subtle honey aroma.
• Coconut Wax – Smooth, sustainable, and blends well with soy.
• Palm Wax – Creates stunning crystalline patterns, firm structure.

Pro Tip: Many candle makers use soy-coconut blends for the best balance of scent and smooth finish. However here at Luminate 365 we exclusively use soy!

Fragrance and Temperature Guidelines

The secret to a strong, long-lasting scent is temperature control:

1. Melt Wax: Heat to 170–185°F (76–85°C).
2. Add Fragrance: Stir fragrance oil in at 160–170°F (71–76°C). Mix gently for at least 2 minutes.
3. Pour Wax: Pour slowly at 135–150°F (57–65°C) to reduce frosting and air bubbles.
   

Pro Tip: Always test burn your candles before selling or gifting to check fragrance strength and wick performance.

Mold and Container Options

The vessel you choose adds personality to your candle:

1. Glass or Tin Jars – Classic and beginner-friendly.
2. Silicone Molds – Easy release, great for novelty shapes.
3. Metal Molds – Best for pillar candles; requires mold release spray.
4. Ceramic or Stoneware – Stylish, but ensure they’re heat-safe.

Drying and Curing Candles

Patience pays off when it comes to candle making:

1. Drying Time: Let candles set undisturbed for 24 hours before moving.
2. Cure Time: Allow 1–2 weeks (especially with soy) for fragrance to fully bond with the wax.

Pro Tip: The longer your candle cures, the stronger and more consistent the scent throw will be.

Candle Making Safety Tips

• Never melt wax directly on a stovetop.
• Keep fragrance oils and dyes away from open flame.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Don’t leave cooling candles unattended.

Bonus: PureFocus Candle Recipe

Here’s one of our signature blends:

PureFocus Candle – Designed to clear the mind, sharpen focus, and create a grounding atmosphere.

Candle making is a rewarding hobby—and with the right tools, techniques, and patience, you can elevate it into an art form. By following these best practices, you’ll create candles that don’t just light a room—they transform it. The process is all about balance: between wax and fragrance, heat and patience, science and creativity.