How To Make Gel Candles
To make a gel candle, choose a glass jar or beverage glass and any wax inserts that you would like to embed in your candle. Select a gel wax density based on the concentration of scent you want (low density = 0-3%, medium density = 0-4%, high density = 0-5%). Choose a gel compatible scent and a liquid dye for color. Be sure to use a wick compatible for use with gel candles and follow all instructions regarding temperatures for adding fragrance and dye as well as for pouring your gel candle.
Materials
Making Gel candles can be tricky, so don’t forget to gather all the right materials and tools you’ll need to get started!
Pouring Pots
These are needed to take your liquid wax and pour into your molds or containers.
Thermometer
No candle shop can be without this important tool.
Glue Dots
These handy little devices help to keep your wick centered in the glass when you pour the wax.
Wax Embeds
Candlewic has an extensive selection of wax embeds great to use with any of the standard gels. However, they are not suitable for the Clear Container Base.
Books
A good book will serve as a reference tool as well as including safety precautions.
Remember to follow all Safety Guidelines and General Instructions to create the best candles possible.
Step 1: Choose the Proper Gel
Each type of candle requires different materials, and making gel candles is no exception, but does take a few more precautions, so be sure to follow all instructions closely. Additives are not needed for making gel candles. Here’s what you’ll need:
CG-1 Low Density Gel
Holds between 0-3% scent. Will allow the maximum burning pool.
CG-2 Medium Density Gel
Holds between 0-4% scent. The most widely used gel.
CG-3 High Density Gel
Holds between 0-5% scent.
Step 2: Selecting Scents
You need to use scents that are non-polar and have a flash point of 170 degrees F when making gel candles. Other fragrances can migrate out of the gel and cause problems. Our candle fragrances that are compatible with gel are marked with.
Step 3: Coloring Gel Candles
For gel candles only liquid dyes should be used. Most other dyes are wax-based, which can cause the gel to become cloudy. Very little dye is needed when making gel candles. Generally one ounce can color nearly 100 pounds of gel. If using the clear container base (CCB-1), check out our pre-made color squares. The clear container color squares are not designed for use in CG-1, CG-2 or CG-3.Remember, it’s very easy to over color gels.
Step 4: Working with Wicks
Selecting the proper wick is critical with gel candles due to the higher burning temperatures of this product. It is also very important to select the proper sustainer base for the pre-wick assembly. The key element in the sustainer base is the “neck height,” which is the part that holds the wick upright. A longer neck helps to ensure that the flame is extinguished before reaching the bottom of the container. View all zinc cored wick spools.
| Gel Type | 2-3″ Diameter Candle |
3-4″ Diameter Candle |
| CG-1 | 44-24-18 zinc 44-28-18 zinc 44-32-18 zinc |
44-32-18 zinc 51-32-18 zinc 60-44-18 zinc |
| CG-2 | 44-28-18 zinc 44-32-18 zinc 44-36-18 zinc |
51-32-18 zinc 60-44-18 zinc 62-52-18 zinc |
| CG-3 | 44-36-18 zinc 51-32-18 zinc 51-32-18 zinc |
51-32-18 zinc 60-44-18 zinc 62-52-18 zinc |
| CCB | 21 Ply 24 Ply 27 Ply |
27 Ply 30 Ply 36 Ply |
Step 5: Getting Glassware
Candlewic’s offering of glassware continues to grow. The standard apothecary jars are always available in 15 oz., 22 oz. and 32 oz. sizes. Additionally, we are always looking for new and exciting glassware so make sure you check out the glassware section.
Step 6: Assembling Your Gel Candle
When making your gel candle, you can choose any glass container such as a mason jar or drinking glass. If you want to add inserts to your candle, there are many from which to choose. For example, paraffin wax cut into blocks can make great “ice cubes” for your candle, and wax fruit also works well as items to embed in your gel candle. Because gel for candles comes in varying densities, you’ll want to choose the one that best corresponds with the amount of scent throw that you’d like your candle to offer. When choosing your scent, be sure to choose a non-polar fragrance with a flash point higher than 170⁰F. Choose a liquid candle dye that will give your gel candle the color that you want to achieve, and select a wick that is designed for use with gel candles to accommodate the higher burning temperature of the gel. Be sure to follow directions for the products you’re using regarding the temperatures at which to add your fragrance and dye and at which to pour your gel candle.
Is it possible to use gel wax in PET plastic containers? I wanted to use it for fake theatrical drinks in beer bottles, but worry about too much heat when pouring.
If you pour at a low enough temperature you should be able to pour into that type of container.
Are your scents phalate free? Would phalate free work if yours aren’t?
Yes, we have scents that phalate free.
Trying to make margarita candles in a margarita glass that is 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Cannot seem to find the right size wick to get a decent melting pool. I have used two and 3 zinc core 52 and still not right can you help????
Any suggestions
Dot,
Have you tried ECO-12 or ECO 14?
The ECO series is a specialty flat wick braided with interwoven paper threads. This braiding technique gives the ECO series an increased stability level found only in square braided wicks. The ECO series wicks is designed to improve the burning of solid scented, solid colored, pillar and container candles and has been found to perform very well in paraffin / natural wax blends. The ECO series has it’s own special chemical treatment which significantly reduces the afterglow normally seen in wicks containing paper.
We can send samples of each for you to try.