Making Gel Candles

Gel candles are a somewhat new addition to the craft world, but lots of people who would never make standard candles love to make gels. They're made from a clear, almost rubbery gel-like material that is translucent, allowing you to embed flame-proof objects in the gel and create a cool glow with the use of different colors. They also burn much longer than paraffin wax candles.

What is Gel Candle Wax?

There are a couple of different ways to buy gel for making candles. At your local crafts store you will probably find gel in a squeeze bottle or a bucket. It may already be colored or it could be clear. You may also find candle making kits that include the gel, wicks with weights (so the wick will stand on the bottom of the container, color and scent additives.

This gel is fine for the beginner, but is considered to be of lower quality by professionals. If you look online you can find gel by the company Penreco. This is the only company in America to hold a patent on candle making gel. It is sold many places, including Brighter Scents. If you plan to make a lot of gel candles or to sell them, you probably will want this higher-grade gel.

This product, called Versagel, comes in differing polymer strengths. Higher polymer gel will allow you to suspend heavier objects, or even to make candles that don’t have to be in containers. Play around with different kinds of gel to find out what works best for your projects.

Gel in a Tube

If you buy gel candle product in a tube, you don’t have to heat it or do anything at all before you make your candle. Simply pick your desired candle container (tempered glass is a good choice because it can withstand the heat of the flame), place a weighted wick in the container, as close to center as possible. Wrap the wick around a skewer or a pencil to help it stand up straight in the container, and use tape or candle mold sealer to attach the end to the side of the container.

Then just squeeze your gel in. Gel in a tube is pre-colored, so you won’t have to worry about that step. If you want to embed things in your candle, put an inch or two of gel in the bottom of the container, then place your embeds where you would like them and fill the rest of the container with gel. It’s ready to use immediately.

Making Gel Candles

If you buy your gel clear and by the bucket, it will require a little more work to finish your candles, but not much. Gel wax can be melted on the stove or using an electric burner or an electric melting pot. You could also melt it in the oven. A large glass measuring cup is the ideal melting device if you’re using the oven. Check the gel’s package for instructions on the best way to melt the gel.

Whatever method you use, you will want to heat the gel to 225 degrees F. Use a candy thermometer to gauge your progress, and remember that gel melts slower than paraffin. It could take up to an hour to melt your wax at 225 in the oven, so be patient.

When you’re shopping for supplies, buy wicks that are made especially for gel candles. These will have the tabs on the end that help the wick stand up in the container. They also come pre-waxed, which gives them extra stability.

While the wax is melting, prepare your container. Clear glass is best because you will be able to see all the things you embedded in the candle easily and glass won’t melt when the candle burns. Many people make whimsical candles such as beer candles in beer glasses or aquariums in tiny glass fishbowls. Almost anything glass can be used as the container for a gel candle.

When the gel is up to temperature, add fragrance, if desired. Make sure you only use scents that are made for use with gel candles, and don’t use more than half an ounce of fragrance for each pound of gel. If you don’t want to measure, just use a couple of drops.

Then add color if you want. There are liquid color dyes and color blocks available for coloring. Start with a small amount of color, stir in well and consider the color before adding more. If you want to see what the color will look like when the candle is set up, dribble a small amount of gel on a piece of waxed paper and allow it to harden.

Additions should be made off the heat so the gel cools a little bit before pouring. If your gel should begin to harden at any point in this process, simply warm it up again. Then just pour, add embeds and allow to cool before using.

Embedding Magic

The really fun part about making these candles is adding objects to the candle to make it more interesting. You can use anything that won’t catch on fire as an embed, but here are some ideas:

• paraffin wax cubes or molded objects (fruit, stars, etc.)
• marbles
• art glass
• glass figures
• seashells
• glitter
• pewter, brass or other non-flammable objects
• cutouts made of a different color of gel (spread the gel out in a quarter- to half-inch layer on a cookie sheet and allow to cool, then cut out shapes with cookie cutters or a craft knife)

If you want your embeds to stay at the bottom of the container, put them in before adding any gel to the container. If you want them to “float,” add a little bit of wax so they have something to support them. If you want them at the top, you can fill your container almost to the top with gel, then place your embeds and put a small layer of gel on top.

There’s no wrong way to do this. Just make sure you leave some room for the gel and don’t load the container up with too many embeds. Theme candles are great and the possibilities are endless: beach scenes, holidays, seasonal candles, color themes, etc. Have fun and see what you can put in a candle that you might never have considered before.

Safety Issues

Because gel candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles, some people assume that they don’t have to be attended to as carefully as wax candles. The candles still burn, and they can cause fires, particularly if the candle is made in a container that can’t hold the heat and the burning candle is left unattended or around small children.

The best way to be safe with gel candles is to always make them in tempered glass containers, never burn them for more than an hour at a time, don’t leave burning candles unattended (and don’t burn candles while you sleep) and don’t allow children to play with the candles. You also shouldn’t move a burning gel candle just in case the glass is cracked and hot gel runs out on your hands. Allow the candle and container to cool before moving them.

Gel candles aren’t any more dangerous than regular candles, you just need to remember to use common sense around them like you would anything else on fire. These candles make great gifts, so remember to share these safety precautions with anyone you share your love of candles with.

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