Candle Making Equipment
Candles are a fascinating thing. For ages they were a basic necessity to mankind as a source of light. Today there are many alternative sources of light available to man but the old reliable candle is still a popular item. The warm glow of a candle is a comforting addition to any room. Today candle making is a very popular craft enjoyed by many people. With very little training and expertise beautiful candles can be made by the candle enthusiast when they have the right candle making equipment.
Safety is an important consideration in candle making because it involves working with very hot candle wax which can cause severe burns. The first piece of equipment that a candle maker should have is a fire extinguisher due the fire hazards associated with candle making.
Most candles are made in the kitchen so it is a good idea to divide the production process into three work areas. They are preparation, melting and cooling. The preparation area is a small space next to the heating source, usually the stove, where the utensils, thermometer and all necessary supplies for the particular candle to made are laid out in an organized manner.
The melting area will probably be the stove. It is here that the double boiler will be utilized. A double boiler is nothing more than a larger pot with water that is heated on the stove and a smaller pot with the wax being placed into the heated water. This is necessary because direct heat will damage the wax so that it produces undesirable candles.
The cooling area, This is the area where the molds or containers are readied in preparation for receiving the heated wax. The cooling area should be a flat space near the melting area that can withstand high temperatures and remain undisturbed for the several hours it takes for the wax to cool. Also it should not be in direct sunlight or in the path of any blowing air. To set properly the candles need to be allowed to cure in peace and quiet.
A good thermometer is a necessity for successful candle making. The quality of the finished product depends very heavily on the wax being heated to the correct temperature for the proper amount of time. There are thermometers designed specifically for candle making available from suppliers but a good food thermometer will suffice.
Even though container candles are popular because of the unlimited design opportunities they bring to the candle maker another key piece of equipment needed is an assortment of molds. Molds come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and materials and will only enhance the candle making experience.
The most essential element of the candle making process is the wax heating function. Again there are custom built devices available to melt wax but most candle makers do just fine with the kitchen stove along with the informal but efficient two pot double boiler system.
With this knowledge of candle making equipment a new candle maker can start making candles that will amaze and impress everyone.
