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eternal flame
Maryann Morris, founder of One to Pamper and
Colchester-based shop Handmade High Street,
shows us how to make a soy container candle
Step 1
Cover surfaces with old
newspaper to catch any
spilled or dripped wax.
Step 2
Now we start preparing
the wax. Measure out how
much you need, generally
we fill the container twice
with the wax. You need to
weigh this and then place
the double boiler on the
stove top. Switch hob on.
Step 3
Add your container wax
to the inner pouring pot
and make sure the water
outside the inner pouring
pot is not able to bubble
into the wax as it boils. You must never let your double boiler run dry or
leave it unattended.
Allow the wax to gently melt until it is completely liquefied and is heated to
approximately 70C-80C.
Step 4
Dip your wick in the
molten wax to coat it and
attach the sustainer with
pliers. Fix your sustainer
into the base of the
container using a glue gun.
Use a peg or wick tool to
hold the wick taut and
central in the container.
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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Double boiler – large saucepan of water with a jug
or smaller saucepan sat in the water, thermometer,
soy wax, glass or metal candle container, wick and
sustainer, fragrance oil, metal stirrer, scales, kitchen
towel, heat proof trivet.
Remember that the pour pot, wax and container will
become hot enough to burn during this process. Never,
ever pour waste wax down the sink or you run the risk
of blocking your waste pipes and a hefty plumbing bill.
Step 5
At this point you can add your
fragrance oil. This should be
weighed and added at 10 per cent of the weight of the wax.
Stir gently for a few minutes to fully incorporate. Remove the
pour pot from the double boiler and stand on a heat proof
trivet. Wipe the outside of the pot quickly with a kitchen
towel to remove any condensation which might drip into
your candle.
Step 6
When your wax is at the
recommended pouring
temperature (65C), gently and slowly pour into your
container to the desired level. Remember to leave
enough space for the wick if your container has a lid.
Set unused wax to one side to top up your candle.
When your candle is fully set you might have some
contraction or dipping on the surface. Re-melt your reserved
wax until it is a few degrees hotter than your original pouring
temperature. Gently pour this wax onto the surface of your
candle until you match the original level. If your top up pour
is higher than the original pour you will have a ‘seam’ visible
through the glass. Pour waste wax into a suitable container
and wipe the inside of your pouring pot out with kitchen
towel to clean.
Allow candle to completely cool and then remove
your peg or wick tool. Trim the wick at the top of your
candle to half a centimetre in length.
Step 7
C
Follow safe burning
practices and enjoy
your handmade candle.
Candle maker extraordinaire, Maryann Morris is the owner of the innovative Colchester-based shop
Handmade High Street, which sells a unique, range of handmade items created by some of Britain’s
most talented artisans, visit www.handmadehighst.co.uk for more information. She also runs her own
online gifting enterprise One Stop to Pamper which can be found at www.onestoppampershop.co.uk.