Steps in Making Gel Candles

Gel candles are home decors that are both pleasing to the eyes and functional. Gel candles differ from candles that are made from wax in the aspect that you can scent gel candles to produce distinct and varying aromas. Scented gel candles are relaxing and are know to calm the soul. You can make your own gel candles easily and it is a good weekend activity that you can share with your family and friends. Below are the basic steps in making gel candles.

1.  Melt the Gel

Using a presto pot or a glass measuring cup placed in an oven, pour in the candle gel to be used. The right temperature should be set to melt the gel depending on the medium of container used. It is best to use a candy thermometer as gauge to determine the right temperature during the melting process. Melting gel takes longer than melting paraffin wax.

2. Insert the Candle Wick

A variety of candle wicks are available for use at craftstores or home improvement stores. The best kinds of wicks are those are pre-tabbed and pre-waxed. To get the best results on the wick, it is best to burn test the wick to determine what to use and how much to use in a gel candle design. It is recommended that a portion of hot gel be used to securely settle the wick at the bottom of the container.

3. Add Fragrance

The preferred fragrance should be chosen for the gel candle. The amount of fragrance oil to start with is about ½ oz per pound of gel used.  Determine the amount of fragrance oil to use depending on how strong or subtle is the scent of it. The fragrance oil must be added once the gel is heated and prior to adding the coloring.
4. Add Color

Coloring is added to the mixture once the gel is heated and the fragrance oil had also been added.  Add the coloring as fast while the gel candle mixture is still hot. Coloring to be added may be in the form of a liquid dye or dye block.  Be sure of the color prior to adding to the mixture as the color can not be taken anymore.

5. Decorate the Gel Candle

To decorate the gel candle with embeds is the next step to further style it up. Such embeds to be used are shells, marbles, glitters and figurines. With a skewer, push the desired embeds into the gel after pouring the gel. Take time to practice with this step to make sure that the embeds stay on securely to the gel candle the the wicks used remain positioned at the center of the gel candle. 

6. Avoiding Bubble Appearance

Using gel candles have the nature of bubbles appearing.  The apperance of bubbles would work well if the design of the gel candle made is seascape.  To avoid the appearance of bubbles, stir the mixture slowly and pour in the additives such as fragrance oil and coloring slowly at a higher temperature.