A topic that many people who have spent time making candles get intimidated by is how to make gel
candles. Because it seems like a different form, it tends to be scary, but in reality, it isn’t much different
than normal wax candles. The basic rules continue to be the same and as you learn how to make gel
candles, you will quickly find that there aren’t too many things that you have to do differently in the
process. Here are a few pointers that can help you move along more quickly in the learning curve.
One of the first things that you have to decide when you learn how to make gel candles is how creative
you want to be. The advantage of gel is that its translucent color allows you to do things that you would
normally have trouble doing with wax that you can’t see through. Some examples are seascape candles,
piggy banks for children in which you can “float” money that they receive as they burn the candle, and
drink candles such as martinis and glasses of wine.
Once you have decided which route you are taking, it should be noted that gel candles normally work
particularly well in glass. The wax adheres to the glass better than attempting to release it from stainless
steel or plastic, but it can be done. Just remember as you learn how to make gel candles that you are
working with a product that works in the same way as gelatin, and if you’ve ever tried to get it out of a
Jell-O mold after its set you can understand that problem. Gel candles are certainly firmer, but the
scientific structure of the wax is the same.
Another thing to keep in mind as you learn how to make gel candles is the use of zinc wicks. They are
more expensive, but they will become your best find if you wish to be successful. Cotton wicks work
well with other waxes because on a molecular level, other types of wax are larger. When you are
working with gel, a cotton wick will absorb the wax more quickly, causing the wick to burn faster and
unevenly.
When you work with gel candles, everything else is essentially the sa