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Guess what—you don’t need wax to make a candle! Candle making without wax requires a little practice, but the result is spectacular. Here’s your guide to getting started!
Supplies
- Gel for candle making
- Heat-safe container or mold
- Wicks, wick stickers, wick holder – You can buy a pack of all three here
- Fragrance oil (optional)
- Candle dye (optional)
- Decorative elements like dried flowers (optional)
Step-by-Step Tutorial for Making Candles Without Wax
- Prepare your jar. Clean it and make sure it’s ready to be used.
- Add your wick. Secure the wick at the bottom center of your chosen container or mold using a wick sticker. Feed the top of the wick through the wick holder and set the holder down across the top of the jar. This will hold the wick in place while you’re making the candle.
- Melt your gel. Use a double boiler to melt the gel. Candle gel can take much longer to melt than wax, so be patient. Take appropriate safety measures when working with a double boiler and melting the gel. See this post on candle-making safety tips!
- Customize your gel. Add any dyes or fragrances to the melted gel.
- Add decorations and pour the gel. You can add any decorations to the bottom of the candle and then pour in the melted gel to the top, or for a floating effect, add a small amount of gel, let it dry, add some decorations, and repeat that process in layers.
- Solidify and Trim. Allow your wax-free wonder to solidify naturally. Gel candles typically set faster than traditional wax, giving you quicker results. Once solid, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the surface for an optimal burn.
- Illuminate your wax-free masterpiece! Now that your wax-free candle is complete, ignite the wick and watch as it casts a mesmerizing glow.
For more fun and easy candle projects, check out these 8 Quick Candle-Making Projects for Beginners.