What makes one candle finish with a flat surface, and another develop a dip, ripple, or uneven spot? While it is common to blame the wax or the container, temperature has a lot to do with the settling of wax, how fast it cools near the container, and the final surface of the hardened candle. When you begin candle making, paying attention to temperature will teach you more than simply troubleshooting each surface issue.
Making a candle involves a series of steps before you get a candle to work. First, wax melts in a pouring pitcher. Then, fragrance oil and color are added to the melted wax, and stirring occurs. Next, the wax goes into the container and starts to cool until the candle is finished. The candle-making steps involve time, and that time can make a big difference on your candle surface. For example, if you pour too hot, the wax can shrink more as it cools and form a hole, or it can appear uneven in the center. If you pour too cool, the wax thickens and does not settle as easily, leading to ridges, drag marks, or a rough surface.
Using a thermometer changes candle making from guessing to observing the wax and container. A visual inspection is not enough since melted wax appears transparent at any temperature. Have your thermometer ready on the table prior to beginning melting, rather than storing it in the drawer while a double boiler is already heating on the stove. The moment the temperature reaches the melting point indicated on the wax flakes’ label, begin watching very closely. After adding any fragrance oil and dye, the temperature will likely change, so you must check the thermometer before pouring, instead of estimating based on memory.
To conduct a single, small experiment, choose one kind of wax, use the same sized heat-safe jar, and keep the same wick size, fragrance amount, and fragrance type in play, varying only the pouring temperature. Pour one at the higher end of the temperature range suggested on the flakes’ label and another a little cooler at a similar temperature, both within the indicated wax guidance. Note the thermometer reading as well as the environmental conditions of the room and how the surface looks after the candles cool. This controlled experiment will teach you more than making two different kinds of candles because there is something concrete to compare.
Consider the temperature and your workspace. A cold jar can cool the wax faster along the container’s side, and having a cluttered table could lead to hasty pouring that allows the wick holder to shift or loosen before the candle is cool and hardened. Moving a jar too soon can disturb the surface of the wax, and the wax can remain soft and pliable for longer than you expected. Prior to any melted wax, secure the wick tab, center the wick holder, protect the table’s surface, and have your stirring stick, paper towel, and recipe notes within arm’s reach. A ready workspace will enable your attention on the temperature to make a difference.
Do not expect every initial candle to have a perfect top, or at least, do not get too upset if they do not. Slight wet spots, a very light surface texture, or a small dip are possible while you are learning about the interaction between your wax, container type, and room temperature. What is most important is connecting a surface result to an action you remember doing. Does a poor surface occur if the wax begins thickening in the jar before the pour is complete? Did a sinkhole result from the cooler wax and cooling environment, or did the jar not feel warm enough? Rather than changing everything in subsequent batches, focus on adjusting one action in the next pour.
Before you begin the next candle, check your candle notebook. It should be the notes that determine a future temperature range, not your memory. Try a little warmer or a little cooler temperature as a pour adjustment, change up a pouring pace to be more consistent, or improve the preparation of the container, and keep the other actions similar. When you begin noticing a surface with more predictable appearance, you are not just making candles that are better to look at. You are learning the interaction between the wax, your hands, your tools, and your timing, and how that influences your candle surface.