The Skinny on Dipping
The basic dipping technique is simplicity itself. Find a can that is 2″ taller than the desired length of the candles, and use it to melt wax in a pot of hot water. Ordinarily, candles are dipped in pairs, which means that one wick supports two candles. The wick is therefore cut long enough to accommodate the length of two candles. You will actually dip one wick, but hold the middle part above the wax, which is what makes the pair.
Each end of the wick is weighted, so that it will drop to the bottom of the wax receptacle. The weights also serve to keep the wicks straight in the wax bath until enough layers have been built up so that the candle itself is heavy enough to hang straight. The pair of candles is held apart with a rod, which prevents them from making contact in the hot wax and adhering to each other.
Sound easy? Let's look at this technique more closely.
Gather TogetherBefore you begin, assemble all of your materials and equipment. If you are going to make a quantity of dipped candles, cut all of your wicks in advance and lay them out. Prime them and allow to harden before beginning the dipping process. You will need to have the following materials on hand:
Wax
Beeswax
Stearic Acid
Wick(s)
Colorant(s)
Scent(s)
Double-boiler setup or concealed-element heater
Thermometer
Can for dipping, at least 2″ taller than the length of the candles you plan to make
Rod or dowel
Bucket
Small weights
Sharp knife
Nylon pantyhose (for polishing finished candles)
The recommended length of primed wick is 24″ for each pair of candles you plan to make. A medium sized wick is recommended, such as square braid, or 30-, 36-, or 42-ply flat braid. Again, experiment and
Use the knife for slicing off the bottoms of the candles when finished. (When doing this, take care not to mark your newly made candles with fingerprints!)
The dowel is used to hold candles for dipping (although you can do this with your fingers, a “spacer” is a good idea.) A coat hanger works fine. You'll also need something to hang drying candles on, such as hooks, nails, or pegs. For quantity candlemaking, you can use a frame.
The bucket will be useful for holding sufficient water in which to submerge the finished dipped candles. Washers, nuts, or nails are suggested to use as weights to tie at the ends of the wicks to hold them straight while dipping.
Wax Formulas for Dipped CandlesAs with most candlemaking, there are no hard-and-fast rules about wax mixtures. The important factor in whether a candle will burn well is the relationship among the wax mixture's melting point, the finished candle's diameter, and the wick type and size. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your dipped candles. Do you want long burning time? Do you want a slim, elegant shape? How are you going to use the candles — for a special occasion party or everyday home dining?
Here are some options for waxes used in dipping:
Keep notes to see what works best for you. Make a test pair before going on to make quantities using the same formula. Add color and scent as you wish to any of the suggested wax mixtures. Again, experimentation is the key to success. Always make a test candle, and always keep notes of the amounts and kinds of colorants and scents you use in your wax formula.
Three sets of two pairs of l0″ × ⅞″ tapers require approximately 6 pounds of wax. With a large dipping can, you will need more in order to submerge the wicks entirely. If wax is left over, pour it into lined, shallow baking pans to cool and reuse.
