Jelly Melts For Burners? All Answers

If you love wax melts and scented candles, you are not alone. The global melted wax market was worth approximately US$2.02 billion in 2015 and is still growing. After you’ve used your scented wax melts a few times, you’re left with fragrance-free wax pieces. Don’t throw them away! We’re going to go through different ways on how to reuse and repurpose wax melts.

Once you’ve bought your own wax warmer, wax melts are relatively cheaper than many scented candles. Whether you use wax melts, wax cubes, or wax tarts, you can reuse the wax for many purposes.

If you use candles in your home, save these candle stumps. The following ideas work with leftover candle wax and previously used melted wax.

Whether you hate the idea of ​​throwing away perfectly good leftover candle wax, want to stretch a dollar, or just feel smart, this post is for you. Grab a bag or container to collect your used wax chunks.

Let us do this!

How many times can you reuse wax melts?

According to Happy Wax, two or three melts of wax provide about 8 hours of fragrance. Different brands have different burn times, but most are in the 6-8 hour range. Many people find that they can reuse the same wax melts multiple times before the scent slowly fades away.

Realistically, you could probably use wax melts longer before the scent goes away. Heated wax does not evaporate – only the scent dissipates. A wax melter has a handy bowl or bowl perfect for collecting and scraping out when the melted wax is gone.

If you’re wondering how to reuse wax melts, the easiest way is to use them over and over again. And again.

Credit: Deposit photos

Types of Wax Melts

Wax melts and wax candles are usually made from paraffin, beeswax or soy. While not necessary, you may want to group the same types of materials before reusing them to make new wax melts or candles for best results.

For other purposes, such as crafting, it doesn’t matter as much.

How to melt candle wax for reuse

When your wax candle is almost used up, you can remove the last bits of wax from the wick to reuse it for other purposes.

There are three different methods to remove old candle wax:

The melting method The freezing method The boiling water method

The melting method

You need:

Water bath (or large and small heatproof pans)

water

Tongs

Containers for storing the melted wax (jars, ice cube trays, or molds)

Using a double boiler (or similar), place all the candle ends in a small pan. Place over a larger pot of simmering water. Leave the candle ends on for a few minutes. Most waxes begin to melt at 100-145 degrees Fahrenheit (38-63 degrees Celsius). Remove the old wicks with tongs and discard them.

To store the wax, you can put it in small containers (e.g. ice cube trays) or larger glasses.

Tip: You can also use a wax warmer or microwave to melt wax, but a double boiler works better for larger batches.

The freezing method

Sometimes you’ll have a candle holder that’s covered in old wax, making it difficult to remove. To easily remove old wax, place the entire item in the freezer for about an hour. The wax contracts as it freezes, making it easier to pop out.

The boiling water method

Remove most types of wax by pouring hot or boiling water over them. Some types of candle holders can be more fragile than others. Depending on the type of candle holder you have, hot or boiling water may not be recommended.

Reuse wax melts and old candle wax in 16 ways

Hang onto your leftover wax. There are many ways to recycle and repurpose old wax throughout the home.

1) Make new wax melts

One of the easiest things you can do with old pieces of wax melts is to make new wax melts!

When the scent has dissipated, collect used wax melts from your wax melter.

Once you’ve collected a reasonable amount of wax, you need to melt the wax (see The Melting Method above). Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Pour the hot wax into ice cube trays or silicone molds. Place in the freezer until hardened. You are ready to (re)use your wax melts!

2) Egg Carton Lighter

Since we have an outdoor fire pit and an indoor wood fireplace, I love the idea of ​​making fire starters. Jill Cataldo has a great DIY for making fire starters out of a paper egg carton, dryer lint, and old wax. Gather dryer lint (a highly flammable ingredient), place lint in each egg holder, and pour hot wax into each egg holder.

Next time you want to make a fire, rip off a small compartment of the egg carton and voilà, instant flames.

3) Pine Cone Lighter

While the egg carton fire starter is convenient, this pinecone fire starter has the added benefit of being more aesthetically pleasing. I like the idea of ​​putting some wax covered pinecones between our firewood on our indoor fireplace.

The Tough Nickel shows us how to make these beauties using collected pine cones, some twine and old wax.

4) Make a new wax candle

With a new wick, old candle wax, and a glass container, you can easily make your own candle.

If you are interested, here is a tutorial on how to make colorful layered candles.

How to melt old candle wax and make a new candle.

Photo credit: Martha Stewart / Brown Bird Design

5) Make the drawers slide smoothly

We all have a stubborn drawer that squeaks or just doesn’t open easily. Remove the squeaky old drawer and use an old paraffin candle to rub the wax across the bottom of the drawer. Put the drawer back in place and open and close it several times to distribute the wax.

6) slides and slides

Tobogganing is lame if your ride doesn’t slide well. Make your sled glide faster by rubbing an old beeswax candle along the floor. Hold on to your hoods!

7) Preserve bronze or copper

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people regard the natural green of bronze or copper with contempt, while others love it. Whether you love or loathe the look of “green” objects, round up your vintage beeswax candles.

To prevent rust, use 454 grams (⅓ pounds) of beeswax in combination with 1 quart (4 cups) of turpentine. Apply with a soft cloth and buff onto your precious objects.

To protect the patina of naturally green copper or bronze items, use pure beeswax (no turpentine required) to apply a thin coat.

8) Simple surround

Make crafting time easier the next time you decide to make a beaded necklace or bracelet. Use a little bit of old wax to rub along a string and you’ll have an easier time sliding beads onto your homemade creation.

9) Let the snow slide off your shovel

Shoveling snow is enough chore without dealing with sticky snow. The next time you shovel your sidewalks, rub an old wax candle or reused melted wax onto your shovel for a sticky coating.

10) Sign your letters with a wax seal

Is there anything more old school and charming than a letter signed and sealed with your own wax cast? You can purchase wax seals at craft stores to add a personal touch to letter writing. Drip a dollop of hot wax onto your paper and press it down with your wax seal. Your letter is now signed and sealed!

11) Undo zippers

A broken zipper is really annoying. Use some old wax to rub along the zipper’s teeth. Run the zipper up and down several times to lubricate the zipper.

12) Seal cracks in your home

While real caulk is better for sealing drafty windows or cracks in doors, sometimes old beeswax will do the trick when you’re in a tight spot.

13) wax art

Use old wax to decorate jars and vases by dripping melted wax.

Or make your own melted wax canvas art. Check out this Instructables wax canvas art tutorial.

Credit: Instructables

14) Stop shoelaces from fraying

Extend the life of your shoelaces by dipping the ends of frayed shoelaces in hot wax. Bonus – your shoelaces will be easier to thread. This works great on a pair of skates!

15) Repair dents in wood

While some of us love the look of shabby chic or rustic furniture with dents, dents, chips and all, it’s not for everyone. Repair dents or scratches on wooden furniture by rubbing an old melted wax or candle until the dent is filled. Follow up with a furniture marker and nobody gets the wiser.

16) Waterproof paper

This is a brilliant hack that I wish I had known about sooner. Waterproof and protect papers by rubbing wax across the surface. My recipe cards are covered in food splatters and stains… I guess I need to rewrite and waterproof them.

References: Grandview Research, Wax Melting Market Size Report, Share and Trend Analysis by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa), by Country and Segment Forecasts, 2018 – 2025, https:// www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/wax-melts-market. Retrieved December 2020. Baker, Nashia (March 4, 2020). “How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles,” Martha Stewart. Accessed December 2020.

description

Jelly wax, also known as gel wax, is a clear, dimensionally stable, jelly-like material made from specially prepared mineral oils. It has a melting point between 75°C and 85°C. A variety of special effects can be achieved with this wax and it is also suitable for the production of decorative vessel candles. It can be dyed, scented, and decorated with items.

To create floating objects, pour the wax into different layers. The faster you pour, the more air bubbles are created. It is ideal for creating beach scenes, aquariums, underwater scenes and tropical lemonades.

Jelly Wax will not degrade over time if stored in a cool, dark place away from moisture.

ATTENTION

Always test fragrances and essential oils as not all fragrance oils and essential oils are compatible with this wax.

Embedding items used in the wax need not be flammable.

Melt the wax over low constant heat under supervision as it can sting.

Find inspiration for your creations on our Instagram!

Frequently asked questions about gel candles

What is gel?

Gel is essentially a combination of polymeric resin and mineral oil that cuts with exceptional safety for flash point. Combined in a container with a wick, you get exquisite transparent candles. Due to the clarity of the gel, it emits approximately 40% more luminescence than regular paraffin wax. The possibilities with gel wax are endless.

Are gel candles safe?

Yes! If you use non-polar fragrance oils with Penreco gel, tested for the correct wick and also followed the recommended procedures for making gel candles, the safety factor is no different than other candles. It can be argued that all candles are unsafe because of the open flame, so use caution and caution when burning all types of candles and educate others about the safety aspects of burning with candle care tips. See below for information on non-polar fragrances.

How long do gel candles burn?

Gel burns at least twice as long as paraffin wax. Because of this, you will find that you need to use larger wicks to maintain a good weld pool. Many of the bulk gel candles available in discount stores fizzle out within a few minutes of being lit because the wick is too small. As always, make sure you test everything thoroughly before offering it for sale to the public.

Can I make gel wax myself?

There is a very fine legal line here. Penreco holds a patent for the manufacture of gel wax – Versagel is a trademark of Penreco Corporation (US Patent 5,879,694). If you decide to make your own gel wax, you will need to purchase the compound ingredients of mineral oil and resin and mix them together. Penreco uses a very narrow mineral oil cut that offers safety in terms of flash point. The mineral oil available on the market does not have to comply with the safety standards applied by Penreco; Therefore, the safety of your end product and any candles made from it rests with you.

Which type of gel is best?

No variety is “better” than the other as the different grades (densities) of gel work equally well depending on the context in which they are used. There are three grades/densities – High Grade (HP), Medium Grade (MP) and Low Grade (LP). The most popular gel quality among candle makers is Medium Polymer (MP) as it allows for more fragrance and is a firm gel that works in most projects. The HP quality is more expensive but contains significantly more fragrance and is a stiffer gel. The extra stiffness means not only can you embed heavier items, but it doesn’t suffer as much in shipping as it doesn’t shift as much as lower grades.

Do I have to use certain glassware?

The most important thing to consider when choosing glassware for your gel candles is to make sure the thickness is suitable for hot liquids. Anything too flimsy can potentially strain the glassware and cause it to break. Glassware such as votive glasses, tumblers, ivy bowls, champagne flutes, tumblers, brandy snifters, and candy dishes are all suitable for gel candles—just make sure the opening is at least 2 inches in diameter. You also need to be aware that materials like wood are too porous for gel wax and plastics can melt when the candle burns.

Can I use any candle scented oil in my gel?

No! If you’ve heard scare stories in the media about gel candles exploding, it probably has to do with the scented oil used. It is IMPORTANT to use a NON-POLAR fragrance oil with a flash point of 170° or higher. The flash point of Penreco Versagel™ Medium Density Gel is 430°F. The flash point indicates the temperature at which the gel catches fire.

The melt pool of a gel candle is about 275°F and a fire is only likely when the melt pool is close to 440°F. However, this can only happen if the flash point of the gel is lowered by adding fragrance. Fragrances have a lower flash point than gel, so the addition lowers the overall flash point of the candle.

A polar scent can potentially degrade gel strength and lower the gel’s flash point to a dangerously low level. The other potential hazard of using a polar scent is that it may not mix with your gel and cause pockets of scent in your candle. The separation of the FO and gel isn’t always visible to the eye, so you can’t be sure it didn’t happen simply by looking at the candle. If the flame reaches a pocket of scent, your candle is likely to flare up. It is important to use non-polar fragrances.

Polarity is not an issue with wax paraffin candles and that is due to the melt pool temperature. The melt pool of a wax candle averages 170°F. Wax does not burn as hot and is more forgiving than gel in terms of fragrance flash point limitations.

DO NOT overscent your gel. Penreco lists the following recommendations for their Versagel™:

Low Density Gel: 0-3% (1/2 ounce per pound)

Medium Density Gel: 3%-5% (3/4 ounces per pound)

High Density Gel: Up to 6% (1 ounce per pound)

Finally, you need to mix your fragrance oil with gel very well. To do this, stir your gel for at least two minutes – just like you would with wax. Yes, stirring will cause more bubbles, but these can be eliminated by reheating the gel once the fragrance is thoroughly mixed in. Incomplete blending of fragrance can potentially cause an erratic burning flame and pockets of fragrance as described above.

We strongly recommend buying fragrance oils that are specifically formulated for use in gel wax – and only buying from reputable sources. If the retailer or supplier doesn’t list their fragrances as safe for gel, you need to determine the flash point of the FO and test it for polarity. Even if a supplier lists their fragrance as “gel safe,” be sure to question how that determination is made and verify proper testing methods. It’s still a good idea to test a small amount from each new batch for easy verification – even if it’s labeled “gel safe” by the supplier. Manufacturers occasionally make unintentional mistakes and there can be slight batch-to-batch variations – so it’s best that you take responsibility for testing and leave no doubt.

Tip for scent measurement:

60 drops = 1 tsp.

1 tsp = about 1/8 ounce.

(scent weight varies)

How do I make a gel candle?

The ideas and creativity are limitless! You should follow some basic security guidelines, but the rest is up to you. Here are some general tips:

Mixing and blending other ingredients into the gel: 203-221°F

Pouring gel from one container to another: 185-203°F

Loss of air bubbles: 167-185°F

Solidification of the liquid into a gel structure: 140-167°F

Oven temperature to remove air bubbles from gel base: 131-158°F (This can also be achieved by placing a candle on a sunny windowsill)

Forget using the microwave to melt gel – it just doesn’t work and can be unsafe because it heats unevenly. Presto pots (kitchen kettles), glass pots, and metal pots can be used, and an electric griddle also works well. Glass jars are great to use. You can watch the gel as color is added. It is best to have a pot or glassware with a spout. You’ll spill less if you pour it into your containers or glassware. If you don’t have a spout, a ladle can be used. THE MELTING GEL MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES. Never leave melting wax unattended, especially gel wax.

Invest in a thermometer that shows the ranges in the table above. These are available from many candle makers if a candy thermometer is not suitable. This must-have gadget allows you to be consistent with your casts and any special effects you may want to achieve once you master the art. Make sure the area you are pouring your gel into is stable and level. Like water, gel finds its own level and if the surface is uneven, the gel will harden crookedly in your candle.

What kind of wick should I use?

Wick sizes vary and must be tested to ensure they will work with the gel and additive combination. Different container sizes and combinations of additives (colors, fragrance, etc.) can affect how the candle burns. Cotton and paper core braided wicks are not generally used in gel candles, while zinc core wicks stand straight in hot gel during manufacture and burning. Wick length and placement are important details that can contribute to candle safety. Wicks should be trimmed to less than 1/4″ above the gel surface. Large wicks may produce a very large flame with uneven burning which, if not placed properly, can cause localized overheating of the container and “pool”. Such conditions can cause uneven thermal dissipation, a potentially unsafe condition. Pre-glued wicks, which prevent the wick from going down, work best. Adding a backing such as gravel, glass beads, or shells will hide the tab. Some wicks are coated with wax. This coating sometimes causes bubbles in the gel. It is best to always give your wicks a light coating or pre-coating of gel to prevent this from happening.

To attach your wick to the bottom of the candle, dip the tab in some gel and press down on the bottom of your container. You can use a little hot melt glue on the tab to attach it to the bottom. Place your bottom decorations around the base of the wick. Multiple wicks can be used for very large candles or for design effects. One wick should be used for every 3 to 4 inch candle diameter.

Here are some basic wicking guidelines for gel candles, but as always, test in your particular application:

44-24-18 Zinc: 2″ – 3 1/2″ diameter containers

51-32-18 Zinc: 3″ – 4″ diameter containers

60-44-18 Zinc: 4″ – 5″ diameter containers

LX-18: 2 1/2″ – 3 1/4″ diameter tanks

What are embeds and how do I use them?

Embeds are items that can be placed in the gel wax to add creativity, character and stunning beauty to the candle. It is extremely important that only non-combustible items are used as decorative embedments in gel candles! Items such as seashells, glass figurines, marbles, stones, ceramic/porcelain figurines, brass pendants, and wax embeds work well with gel candles. Items such as cinnamon sticks, silk flowers, plastic figurines, potpourri, candy (sugar is flammable!), dried fruit, paper, wood, etc. CANNOT be safely placed in gel candles! Porcelain is finely ground white clay, shaped and fired in a kiln at 1200 degrees for eight hours. Finished with a glazed, underglazed or “biscuit colored” finish. The glazing produces a high gloss; Underglaze creates a matte finish. Bisque is a matte finish with no glaze. After completion, the product is “cooked” at 800 degrees for six hours.

Bone china is white clay with bone ash added. Bone ash content must be at least 25% according to US guidelines. Fired at 1800 degrees. The translucent material is finished with a glaze or underglaze (matt). Lighter, stronger, more expensive than porcelain. Alabastrite is a mixture of rock and limestone held together with a resin-based glue. It may be flammable on direct contact with a flame.

Before embedding an object, it is best to first dip it in gel wax and let it cool. This gives the embedding a light coating that helps prevent unwanted bubbles once placed in the candle.

One way to ensure safety when burning gel candles when using combustible embeds is to use a method called “double glazing”. This involves using a large container (e.g. an ivy bowl or fish bowl) and placing a smaller clear glass container (e.g. a votive glass). Place the decorative embedding items in the outer shell surrounding the votive glass and fill with clear, unscented gel. Vacuum the inner jar and fill with scented gel. The inner glass keeps the burning candle contained and the flame away from contact with the decorative embedments, creating a safe and refillable candle. Customers can bring these back for refills, or you can make pre-scented yellow nuggets and package them in a wicked pouch and sell them as do-it-yourself refills.

How do I get rid of blisters?

Ahhhhh, the never ending bubble question from Gellers! Bubbles fall into two categories: wanted and unwanted!! Bubbles are often desired in candles such as champagne glasses or other bubbly beverage designs. More often you want to get rid of them. Hotter fonts are generally the answer. Preheating or warming the glassware you’re pouring into will help. Keep an eye on the items you embed or add to the gel as they can often create bubbles and some wicks.

When working with the gels, use metal spoons rather than wooden ones, as wooden objects tend to cause bubbles. Pour gently on the side or close-up, similar to pouring a beer, to avoid a large head of foam! When your gel sets, a heat gun is a great way to remove any surface bubbles. You can also use a pencil torch to smooth the surface.

If you have more bubbles than you’d like, warming the candle in your oven (131-158°F) for several hours will help. Those who live in hot climates can let them sit in the sun. On the other hand, if you want bubbles, pour at lower temperatures. You can even beat it for the icing effects. For those wanting to make beer candles, paraffin wax is often used to coat the gel. Whip up the paraffin wax and pour it over your gel. The head becomes more stable.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING FRAGRANCE OILS FOR POLARITY

The test is easy, quick and accurate if you follow the instructions carefully. This test and its guidelines were established by Penreco, the ONLY company that has a patent on gel. Penreco have established the criteria for gel compatible fragrance oils and this is their recommended standard test method.

First you want to be sure that the oil you are testing has a flash point of 170° or higher. If the FP is lower, it is NOT gel safe.

The test is conducted in two stages: first with 25% fragrance loading and a second test with 75% fragrance loading. The tests must be performed in a small glass container. Test tubes are ideal, but not many of us have them lying around the house :o). I use a small juice glass. For simple ratio measurements, I use either teaspoons or tablespoons.

The tests require only two things: fragrance oil and MINERAL OIL. DO NOT use baby oil or the heavy, laxative mineral oil. Use a food grade mineral oil.

For the first test, use 1 teaspoon (or tablespoon if your glass is wide) of fragrance oil to 3 teaspoons (or tablespoons) of mineral oil. Stir for about 1 minute. If the mixture is cloudy, your FO is not gel compatible. The cloudiness can be very minimal or severe to the point where it looks like milk. If no cloudiness appears, leave the mixture on for at least 1/2 hour. Pay attention to the separation of FO and mineral oil. If no separation occurs, proceed to the second test. *NOTE: It’s okay if the FO turns cloudy in the first few seconds of stirring when it clears and stays clear.

Here you use 3 tsp. from FO to 1 teaspoon. Mineral oil. Stir again, check for cloudiness; leave, seek separation. If you don’t have either, then you have a gel compatible FO.

See? That’s not hard. But VERY important.

Many people tout their FOs as “gel safe” or “100% soluble in gel” when the FP is above 170° or the gel itself doesn’t really cloud up. Just because an FO does not cloud gel does NOT make it gel compatible or gel safe. Per Penreco guidelines, the FO must pass both polarity tests to be considered gel safe and soluble.

How do I pack and label my candles?

Packaging and labeling are very important as they give your customer the first impression and FIRST IMPRESSION. The presentation should be eye-catching, tasteful, professional and attractive. Cellophane bags, tulle, and shrink wrap all work very well. Stay away from cheap-looking items like pipe cleaners. Raffia or decorative ties are always a good way to “tie up” your bag!

Your label should also look professional. This tells the customer exactly what they are buying. Labels should always include the following information:

Your company name, address, phone number, email address and website address.

The candle weight – preferably in ounces.

Approximate burn time.

fragrance name.

Price.

Burning and Precautions.

Caution Tips/Instructions

Always attach a self-adhesive warning/instruction label to your candle – either on the bottom or on the underside of the lid. You can also print out a candle burning leaflet. Here is some useful information:

CANDLE, COMBUSTION AND COMMON SENSE…A GUIDE TO SAFE USE OF GEL CANDLES

The warm glow of scented candlelight is one of life’s special joys. However, it can also be dangerous if safe practices are not followed. Please pay attention to the correct and safe use of candles.

DO NOT LEAVE A LIT CANDLE UNATTENDED

Could a pet or child poke it? This is just one possible unforeseeable risk of leaving an unattended flame.

AVOID BURNING THE GEL COMPLETELY DOWN.

The container can get very hot, which can damage your furniture or the container. Burn candles only on fireproof surfaces. Extinguish the candle while some gel remains and replace with a refill.

THE WICK SHOULD BE TRIMMED TO NO MORE THAN 1/4″ (6MM).

A longer wick tends to produce darker smoke, especially with more heavily scented candles. Also, a longer wick is more likely to burn off-center, creating a hot spot on the side of the container that could lead to rupture. When the candle has cooled, trim the wick with scissors or nail clippers.

CHECK YOUR CANDLE CONTAINER BEFORE EACH USE.

If you find a chip or crack, discard it. If a matchstick is accidentally dropped into a candle, extinguish the candle and remove the matchstick. Otherwise the flame could burn away from the center and create a hazard.

AVOID BURNING YOUR CANDLE IN A DRAWFUL AREA.

Areas near heating and air conditioning vents and open windows and doors are prone to drafts. The movement of people on sidewalks also moves the air. A draft can cause the flame to burn sideways, resulting in wasted gel, tunneling, and a hot spot on the side of the container.

LOOK FOR FUEL ABOVE THE CANDLE.

Is there dry greenery ready to catch fire…curtains and drapes to billow over the flame…a paper lampshade over the candle? These and similar situations are all potentially dangerous. Also, do not place the candle where clothing such as underwear could come into contact with the flame.

SOOT BUILDING

If you notice soot buildup on the wick or your candles are giving off black smoke, you may need to trim your wicks. Soot build-up will occur if you don’t keep your wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch before lighting/burning.

ENJOY YOUR CANDLE WHILE THEY ARE BURNING WITH SAFETY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Application of gel melts

sizes and melting times

30g pots – between 24 and 32 hours melting time depending on burner and tealight used. Note* Use with electric burners will result in longer burn times as electric burners do not get as hot as tea light burners

how to use

Gel wax melts are effortless to use. Simply peel off the amount of melting gel you wish to use, place on top of your burner, light a flame and enjoy the flavors.

We recommend turning the gel melt (when cool) between firings to allow the fragrance to spread evenly

Please always keep your burner in a safe place, away from children and pets, and remember to distinguish the flame when you leave home.

We do not recommend using tealights in tealight burners for more than 4 hours as anything stronger can overheat your burner and potentially shatter it.

How to remove

Average burn times are listed above, but the best time to remove the gel wax is when you feel like you can no longer smell the scent.

Wait for the gel wax to cool completely and once it has set, simply peel it off your torch and dispose of it sensibly.

Because gel wax is 95% mineral oil and 5% polymeric resin, the fragrance oils or fragrances you choose must be soluble in this mixture. The candle industry assumes that when working with gel wax, the fragrances used must be non-polar. However, this is simply not the case.

It is chemically impossible to make fragrance oils non-polar. This is because the aldehydes, ketones, resins, esters, and essential oils used in the creation of fragrances are all polar to some extent. Now perfumers can keep polarity low by using Isopar solvents. But at the end; Every fragrance has a certain level of polarity. Fragrances can NEVER NOT be polar, there will always be different degrees of polarity in fragrance.

For fragrance oils to work in gel wax, they need to be rather polar. By lowering the polarity, fragrances can be mixed better with the mineral oil of the gel wax. But before you use a fragrance oil that you are not sure is gel safe; There are two steps you can take to find out.

Gel Wax and Fragrance Flash Point–

For a fragrance to be compatible with gel wax, the fragrance’s flash point must be 170 degrees or higher. This level of flash point is important because gel wax burns at a higher temperature. Using a fragrance with a flash point less than 170 degrees Fahrenheit will result in too much of a difference in your melting point and flash point; this makes for an unstable and unsafe candle.

You can easily check the flash point for each fragrance oil that Natures Garden carries in the key fragrance characteristics listed under each fragrance.

Mineral Oil Miscibility Test

If you need to test whether a fragrance oil is suitable for gel wax, you can easily do so. This test is called the mineral oil miscibility test. To test gel wax solubility, mix 1 part fragrance with 3 parts mineral oil in a glass container. Then shake the mixture and set it aside. After a few minutes, check the mixture to see if it has blended.

Next, in a glass container, mix 3 parts fragrance oil to 1 part mineral oil. Shake the container and leave it again. After a few minutes, check that the mixture is fully mixed.

If you notice the mixture is insoluble or there is cloudiness in the solution, the fragrance is not gel safe. When the mixture is transparent and dissolved, the fragrance oil is gel wax compatible.

If you are interested in making the gel wax wine candles featured in this blog post, please click here. Check out this recipe and many more by checking out the Free Recipes and Classes section of the Natures Garden website.

published on January 15, 2022

There are many different types of candles, but none is as unique as gel candles.

Gel candles look beautiful, especially when things like seashells, flowers, and other small decorations are embedded in the gel.

They also give off a unique glow that other candles can’t quite match.

But despite their uniqueness, are gel candles eco-friendly?

Although gel candles are beautiful, they are not environmentally friendly. Like regular paraffin wax candles, gel candles are made from crude oil by-products.

Is it worth the negative environmental impact for the beauty and uniqueness of gel candles?

In this article, we look at different aspects of it in terms of eco-friendliness, so you can decide for yourself.

1. What are gel candles made of?

Gel candles have a slightly different composition than traditional paraffin wax candles, but they’re actually made from pretty much the same source: crude oil.

Both gel candles and paraffin wax candles are both made from mineral oil, which is a by-product of crude oil refining.

However, paraffin candles are specially made with paraffin oil, which cools and forms white wax.

Gel candles are made from mineral oil (either paraffin oil or something else) combined with a small amount of powdered polymer resin, causing the oil to form a gel-like consistency.

The gel can be colored or clear, but scented oils are also added to give it a specific scent.

2. What is the difference between gel and regular candles?

Aside from the fact that gel candles are partially made of polymer resin in addition to mineral oil, there are a few other differences between gel candles and regular candles.

A key manufacturing difference is that gel candles are made with a different type of scented oil than regular candles, as gel holds the scent differently than paraffin wax.

But in terms of the candles themselves, gel candles have a longer burn time than paraffin candles.

This is because gel candles are not 100% wax. Since there is also polymer resin in the candle, it raises the melting point of the candle, so the gel doesn’t melt as quickly.

Gel candles also emit a different light than regular wax candles. Some people describe the glow of gel candles as richer, but essentially the light given off is brighter due to the transparency of the wax and the way it reflects the light.

But from an eco-friendly point of view, there is little difference between gel and paraffin candles.

3. Are gel candles environmentally friendly?

Gel candles are not environmentally friendly as they are made from a by-product of crude oil refining.

Crude oil must be collected through drilling, which can cause both pollution and habitat loss.

Then the oil has to be refined to be usable, which relies on laborious manufacturing processes that can contribute to more pollution.

Crude oil refining is also the third largest industrial emitter of greenhouse gases due to the equipment and processes used.

The mineral oil that most gel candles are made of is left over as a result of the refining process.

But you should keep in mind that gel candles are also partly made of polymer resin, i.e. plastic.

Plastic is also made from the refining of crude oil, but more chemical processing is required to make the resin.

This means more manufacturing processes are required and there may also be more pollution.

4. Are gel candles sustainable?

Gel candles are not sustainable as crude oil is a non-renewable resource.

Once all the crude oil is collected, it’s gone forever. This means that gel candles can no longer be crafted unless manufacturers find an alternative manufacturing method that gives them the same properties as gel candles made from crude oil.

Also, gel candles cannot be recycled as they could clog recycling machines.

5. Are gel candles biodegradable?

Gel candles are primarily made from mineral oil and studies have shown that the biodegradability of mineral oil is very low, typically between 15 and 35%.

In addition, gel candles are made not only from mineral oil, but also from polymer resin. Since polymer resin is a kind of plastic, it also has low biodegradability.

If gel candles were to biodegrade, they could release harmful chemicals into the environment, both from the gel and the polymer resin it contains.

6. Are gel candles compostable?

Since gel candles have low biodegradability, they do not compost well either.

That’s because composting is essentially human-controlled biodegradation.

But even if it did, it would have the potential to leach chemicals into the compost.

7. Are gel candles safe?

There is no evidence that gel candles are unsafe in terms of toxicity.

Gel candles are made from similar substances to paraffin candles and there have been concerns about the possibility of paraffin candles releasing toxic substances such as benzene and toluene into the air.

However, studies have shown that when used as directed, scented candles pose no risk to consumers.

However, there is always a possibility of fire hazard when burning candles, gel or not.

It’s important to keep flammable products away from candles and to ensure you don’t leave them unattended for long periods of time.

8. Are gel candles vegan?

Gel candles are vegan as they are made from crude oil by-products and not animal products.

9. Are gel candles reusable?

It is possible to reuse the gel wax from gel candles. But for this you need to take it out of the jar and put it in a bowl yourself.

Melt the wax in the oven for about an hour, then pour it into a new container.

Note that you probably won’t have a lot of wax, but this can be a great way to reuse the gel from multiple candles if the wax level is too low to burn or the wick breaks off.

10. Are gel candles better than wax candles?

Gel candles are better than wax candles because they have the potential to burn twice as long and give off a brighter glow.

But in terms of eco-friendliness, neither gel nor paraffin wax candles are better as they are not sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable or compostable.

Other types of wax candles, such as beeswax and soy wax candles, are more environmentally friendly than gel candles, but still don’t burn as long as gel candles.

Find out more about eco-friendly candles as an alternative to paraffin-based candles here.

4 eco-friendly alternatives to gel candles

With the exception of paraffin wax, most other types of wax candles are more environmentally friendly than gel wax.

These wax candles come from plant or animal sources, and some are better than others. But they are all sustainable and biodegradable compared to gel wax.

1. Beeswax

Beeswax candles are one of the most environmentally friendly candles out there.

Beeswax is sustainable and can be produced and harvested all over the world.

The only downside to beeswax is that it’s not technically vegan, although some people accept it as a vegan product because bees aren’t harmed during the harvesting of the wax.

Learn more about beeswax candles here.

2. Coconut Wax

Coconut wax candles are another very eco-friendly and sustainable option.

Although growing coconuts contributes somewhat to deforestation, once mature, coconut palms produce a very high yield.

Also, most coconuts are grown without the use of pesticides, and the coconut wax itself does not emit toxic fumes when burned.

3. Palm wax

Palm wax is another type of natural wax used to make candles.

It’s more eco-friendly than gel wax, but not as eco-friendly as beeswax and coconut wax.

The biggest problem with palm wax is that growing palm trees contributes to deforestation.

However, palm wax is a natural wax that comes from renewable raw materials and is also biodegradable.

4. Soy Wax

Most candles that aren’t made from gel wax or paraffin wax are made from soy wax instead.

Of the natural waxes, soy wax is the least environmentally friendly.

But despite all the downsides, soy wax is still a better choice than gel wax because it comes from a renewable resource and is also biodegradable.

Learn more about soy wax candles here.

Conclusion

Although gel candles look very different from paraffin wax candles in appearance, the two are quite similar when it comes to environmental friendliness.

Gel candles are still made from crude oil by-products, the gel is just processed differently, with added polymer resins to give it that gel-like consistency.

One of the advantages of gel wax candles is that they last longer than wax candles because they burn slower.

But if you want to be more environmentally friendly, then gel candles are not the answer. Try candles made from soy, palm, coconut, or beeswax instead.

Check out the best natural, eco-friendly candle options in our dedicated article here.

gel candle care

Most of my candles burn for 20-30 hours due to the type of wicks and gel I use. The burning process is much slower than other candles on the market. The size of the vase is a factor in the burning rate.

Take care of your candle.

dust it.

It is best to leave the lid on the candle when it is not burning.

Do not leave residue such as matches or wick residue in the wax.

Candle burning safety tips

If the flame gets too high, extinguish it immediately.

Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

Do not move a candle while it is burning.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

Keep lit candles away from drafts, vents, and air currents.

Extinguish a candle if it flickers repeatedly or the flame gets too high. Cool, shorten the wick, check for draft and light again.

Stop burning a candle when there is 2 inches of wax left (1/2 inch if in a container).

Do not overheat the wax.

Keep lit candles away from anything that can catch fire.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Always pay attention to the candle environment.

Always use common sense around fire and heat.

The wick The coated wax wicks offer the best rigidity during the casting and firing process. The coated wick carries two basic wick coatings including special beeswax. The wax coated wick I use can burn down to the ends and won’t let the wax become a fire hazard.

Wood Wicks Easy to light and safe to burn, wood wicks burn cleanly and are smokeless with little to no afterglow.

The gel firing process is clean and soot free. This promotes a green and environmentally friendly environment. No flammable decorative items such as flammable scents or embellishments such as wood shavings and plastic flowers are used in my gel candles.

Scent The scent of the candle will usually last for the duration of the candle’s life unless you have an eternity candle. I only use essential oils. Essential oils are oils extracted from flowers, fruits, herbs and plants. I let my customers know that essential oils were used in their candle so customers can see why they may be paying a premium for my product. Essential oil prices vary widely; they are non-toxic and no fragrance has a better quality.

Fragrance refill packs On request I offer fragrance refill bottles. Refreshing gel candles uses only 1-4 drops of essential oil. I have 30 scents and colors to refill gel candles.

Shop beautiful gel candles, wax ceramics and more now.

Information about gel wax

While many candle makers turn their attention to soy wax, palm wax, or paraffin wax candles, others choose to make transparent gel wax candles. Gel wax is used to make real looking beverage candles like beer and soda pop.

Some candle makers create “works of art” by embedding items such as sand, glitter, glass embeds, wax embeds, and seashells. Additionally, other candle makers use gel wax to create real looking fruitcake candles. Using gel wax in these applications allows the entire candle to glow as it burns; giving your finished product a “WOW” factor.

What is Gel Wax?

Gel Wax is a transparent, gummy compound of mineral oil and polymer resin.; Burn almost twice as long as paraffin wax candles. The approximate percentage of these two elements is 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin. The mineral oil is too loose in its original form and this is where the polymer resin comes into play. This resin is used to thicken the mineral oil to give it the clear, slow-burning wax we know it as. The patent on gel wax and the gel wax process is actually owned by Penreco. They refer to this wax as VersaGel. Natures Garden wears medium density Penreco Versagel.

Melting Gel Wax is a little different than any other paraffin or soy wax on the market. Unlike the waxes above, there isn’t an easy temperature you’re looking for to liquify the wax, instead it slowly thins out. You must be very careful when observing the wax while it is on the heat source and stir frequently. This is key to ensuring the correct melting process. Also, don’t be tempted to turn your heat source to a higher level. Gel wax doesn’t melt faster, it just smokes more.

Gel wax is to be used as a container wax only. The gel itself is not stable enough to stand on its own like pillar wax is. If you are planning to embed your gel wax candles, choose non-flammable items such as sea glass, sand, glitter, shells, marbles, glass figurines, wax embeds. Never use plastic encapsulations in your gel wax candles. Decorating your gel wax candles with these embeds can create beautiful works of art, but remember to leave enough space for the gel wax! Don’t get too crazy about adding embeds or your candle won’t burn.

Because gel wax is mostly oil, you need to make sure the fragrance oils you use are soluble in it. Many companies say that non-polar fragrances must be used in gel wax. However, it is chemically impossible to make fragrance oils non-polar. All fragrance oils contain a mixture of ketones, aldehydes, esters, resins and essential oils. These fragrance oil components all have some degree of polarity; meaning they are capable of oxidation. Fragrance oils can be made gel wax compatible by adding Isopar solvents to reduce polarity; but they will still have some degree of polarity. A reduction in polarity helps make the fragrances miscible with mineral oil. A mineral oil miscibility test is still required for any fragrance you use in gel wax.

To test solubility: Mix 1 part fragrance with 3 parts food grade mineral oil. Shake and leave for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. Now take 3 parts fragrance to 1 part mineral oil. Shake and let the mixture set for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. If you see any type of insolubility or cloudiness, the fragrance is not well suited for use in gel wax candles.

Also, the fragrance oil must have a flash point of at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the gel wax candle burns at a much higher temperature than traditional waxes. If the difference between the flash point of Gel Wax and that of your fragrance oil is large enough, you will have an unstable overall flash point of the blended product, which is unsafe.

If you want to add depth or color to your gel wax candles, liquid candle dyes are the best and only way. Although powder dyes or color blocks can be used, they often clump together making it very difficult to achieve an even color throughout the candle. Never use food coloring or water-soluble soap dyes. Choosing the right container for your gel wax candles is just like choosing the container for traditional waxes.

There are three main laws to keep in mind.

First, the container must be resistant to cracking. Obviously you don’t want a container that will crack and result in an unstable candle.

Second, the container must be able to absorb the heat from the flame and the melted wax.

After all, the container cannot leak. As with any candle there will be a wet puddle of wax, you don’t want that hot liquid spurting out.

When choosing the right wick for gel wax candles, the rule of thumb is: wick one size larger. To find the wick you are looking for, you need to measure the diameter of the opening on your candle container. Once you have this information, you need to select the appropriate zinc wick. Don’t be tempted to buy a cotton wick. These wicks tend to absorb too much gel causing them to snuff out. From this point all you have to do is find the right wick according to your diameter and then select the next larger wick.

With all the options available for Gel Wax, many candle crafters enjoy using this product. As long as you follow the safety guidelines, imagination is the key to brilliant gel wax creations.

Another amazing factor that Gel Wax has is that it is very forgiving. Any physical traits or odor issues that you are not happy with can be fixed very easily. It’s literally as easy as remelting, recasting, recoloring, or recoloring.

Always, always, always make sure the first burn of your new candle is a commemorative burn. This is also something to share with your customers. A memorial firing is important to create a clean, wax-free candle container when you’re done.

To determine the correct memory burn time for your candle, you need to know the diameter of the container. This is the same information you need to know for wick size. Once you have this data, you need to add an hour for every inch your diameter is wide. If your diameter is 2 ½ inches, your memory burn time is essentially 2 ½ hours. During this time, your candle will reach a full pool of water. The full wet bowl is just what you need to get the best possible burn and odor throw. If you don’t burn your candle using the memory burn method, you’ll get what’s called a core burn every time you light your candle again. A core fire is a wet pool that essentially only burns around the wick. This burning will never give your candle the full fragrance ability that gel wax has to offer. Also, when the wick is completely gone, you still have wax around the edges of the container and on the bottom.

There is one more consideration for gel wax candles that needs to be kept in mind. If a gel wax candle is laid on its side or turned upside down, it will eventually begin to pour. It is very important to consider this for two reasons: storage and shipping. Another important factor to consider when burning a gel wax candle is not to move it while it is lit or to cool down after it is lit. The liquid gel is very hot and will cause severe burns.

If you’re going to be burning your gel wax candle in between, it’s a good idea to seal the container. Due to the nature of gel wax, the top layer will be sticky. By covering the candle you prevent dust, insects or dirt from sticking to the top of your candle.

Before relighting your candle, always trim your wick. Keep the wick short, about ¼ inch, and protect yourself.

Never leave a lit gel wax candle unattended. Keep all candles away from children and pets.

Wax melts and tarts have recently been pulled into large retail stores. However, not everyone is familiar with this candle alternative, leaving customers wondering, “How do you use melted wax?”

Candles are great for their smell and ambience; However, there are times when you don’t want to keep an eye on the flame or trim the wick. Wax melts, cubes, and tarts are fusible pieces of wax that are heated to release fragrance. Wax melts are scented, bite-sized chunks of wax that are a flame-free, convenient way to scent your home! Wax melts are placed in a wax warmer and melted with the wax warmer, which usually has a ceramic heater or bulb that comes with the warmer. To make this process easier, we’ve broken it down into a few simple steps.

#1. Find a wax melter or cake warmer

A wax warmer is required to use wax melts, cakes, or cubes. Wax melting or cake warmers come in a variety of shapes, styles, and designs. It is imperative to use a wax warmer or burner that is specifically designed for wax melts as any other type of warmer can reach temperatures much higher than intended for your wax melts and this will quickly burn your scent. It can also be dangerous to use a melter or torch that is not rated to melt wax.

Wax warmer Designed for melting wax, cakes and cubes

#2. Read the instructions

Open your wax warmer packaging and read the instructions and safety information that came with your new warmer. This will ensure you get the most out of your wax melts, cubes or tarts. Some wax warmers use a lightbulb to melt the wax, while other wax warmers use a ceramic heater built into the warmer. If you have an electric warmer that comes with a lightbulb, be sure to remove the plastic around the lightbulb before you begin melting. Wipe the top of your wax warmer, or if using a wax warmer insert, place the insert on top of your wax warmer. When the parts of your wax warmer are separated, place the bowl on the base. When using a wax warmer with a silicone bowl, there’s no need to add an extra wax liner or popper to the bowl!

Wax warmer with built-in silicone bowl

#3. Choose your wax melts, place a wax melt in the warmer

In order to use your wax melts, cubes, or tarts, you need to check if your wax is already broken into smaller sizes. If your wax melts are in the form of wax cubes, break off a piece (about 1 oz) and place in the warmer. With wax cubes, try not to use more than one melt at a time. If you are using smaller Melts or Happy Wax Wax Melt Bears, you can use 2-3 Bears depending on the desired fragrance intensity. Once you have added the wax melts to the burner, do not add water or oil to your wax melts.

Place the wax melt or cube in the wax warmer

For a more intense scent, use 2-3 Wax Melt Bears

#4. Turn on your warmer

To begin using your scented wax melts, cubes, or tarts, you must first turn on your wax warmer. If you have an electric warmer, find a safe place to begin the heating process and plug the electric warmer into any electrical outlet. Do not let the cord hang over the edge of a table or counter, and make sure the cord is not touching any hot surfaces. To activate your warmer, press the “on” button or follow the instructions that came with your warmer. If your warmer doesn’t have a timer, you’ll need to make sure you set an additional alarm or timer to track how much wax you’re using; You should also watch your warmer carefully as some wax tends to overflow. If you have a wax melter with a built in timer, set the timer to the desired time. Make sure you don’t move your warmer when it contains a container of hot wax. As soon as you turn on your warmer, the wax will begin to melt and your room will be filled with fragrance!

Wax warmer with a 3-6-9 hour timer with auto shut off

#5. Turn off the wax warmer

Once you’ve used your scented wax melts, cubes, or tarts, you need to make sure your wax warmer is turned off, especially if you don’t have a wax warmer with a built-in timer. After turning your warmer to the “off” position, disconnect it from the wall by grasping the plug at its base; Never pull the cable to disconnect. Wait for the wax to cool and solidify before removing the used wax from your warmer (read our blog post on how to cleanly change wax in your melter to learn more).

Wax warmer with automatic shut-off timer

#6. Remove your wax

Once the wax has cooled, you’ll need to either scrape the wax out of your melting bowl, discard the insert, or – if you have a warmer with a silicone bowl – gently nudge your bowl from the back to get the wax out! Just be careful not to throw used wax down the drain. To clean your wax warmer, take a paper towel and wipe the area where you inserted the wax. For easy cleaning, you can use a drop of baby oil. You can also use a warm, damp sponge with soap or a soft cloth to clean the inside of the bowl. Wipe clean with a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners, which can cause wear and tear on your wax warmers.

Easily change scents with wax warmers that include a silicone shell

#7. You can reuse your scented wax cubes, cakes or melts

Melted wax does not evaporate; only the scent will wear off, so make sure you remove the used wax from your warmer before adding a new cube. When using Happy Wax Melts, 2-3 wax melts generally give about 8 hours of fragrance. Feel free to use the wax as many times as you like until the scent is gone. When the scent has faded and you want to get the most out of your wax, there are many eco-friendly ways to reuse the wax! Happy Wax soy wax melts are even biodegradable.

To make a gel candle, choose a glass or beverage jar and any wax inserts you wish to embed in your candle. Choose a gel wax density based on the desired concentration of fragrance (low density = 0-3%, medium density = 0-4%, high density = 0-5%). Choose a gel-compatible fragrance and liquid dye for color. Be sure to use a wick suitable for use with gel candles and follow all directions regarding temperatures for adding fragrance, coloring and pouring your gel candle.

Materials Making gel candles can be tricky, so don’t forget to gather all the right materials and tools you’ll need to get started! pour pots

These are needed to take your liquid wax and pour it into your molds or containers. thermometer

This important tool should not be missing in any candle shop. glue dots

These handy little tools will help keep your wick centered in the jar as you pour the wax. wax embedded

Candlewic have an extensive range of wax embeddings that work great with any of the standard gels. However, they are not suitable for the Clear Container Base. Books

A good book will serve as a reference and contain safety precautions. Remember to follow all safety guidelines and general instructions to make the best candles possible.

Step 1: Choose the right gel Each type of candle requires different materials and making gel candles is no exception, but there are a few more precautions needed, so be sure to follow all directions carefully. No additives are required for the production of gel candles. What you need: CG-1 Low Density Gel

Holds between 0-3% fragrance. Allows maximum burning pool. Medium density CG-2 gel

Holds between 0-4% fragrance. The most common gel. High Density CG-3 Gel

Holds between 0-5% fragrance.

Step 2: Choosing Fragrances You must use fragrances that are non-polar and have a flash point of 170 degrees F when making gel candles. Other fragrances can migrate out of the gel and cause problems. Our gel-compatible candle scents are marked with .

Step 3: Dyeing gel candles Only liquid dyes should be used for gel candles. Most other colorants are wax based, which can cause the gel to become cloudy. Very little dye is needed to make gel candles. In general, one ounce can color nearly 100 pounds of gel. If you are using the clear container base (CCB-1), check out our pre-made color squares. The color squares on the clear containers are not intended for use in CG-1, CG-2, or CG-3. Remember that it’s very easy to overstain gels.

Step 4: Working with Wicks Choosing the right wick is critical with gel candles due to the higher burning temperatures of this product. It is also very important to choose the right support base for the prewick assembly. The key element in the sustainer base is the “neck height” which is the part that keeps the wick upright. A longer neck will help ensure the flame dies out before it reaches the bottom of the container. View all zinc core wick coils. Gel type 2-3″ diameter

Candle 3-4″ diameter

Candle CG-1 44-24-18 zinc

44-28-18 zinc

44-32-18 zinc 44-32-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc

60-44-18 zinc CG-2 44-28-18 zinc

44-32-18 zinc

44-36-18 Zinc 51-32-18 Zinc

60-44-18 zinc

62-52-18 zinc CG-3 44-36-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc 51-32-18 zinc

60-44-18 zinc

62-52-18 zinc CCB 21-ply

24-ply

27-ply 27-ply

30 ply

36-ply

Step 5: Purchase Glassware Candlewic’s range of glassware continues to grow. The standard apothecary jars are always in 15 oz., 22 oz. and 32 ounces. sizes. Additionally, we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting glassware, so be sure to check out the Glassware section.

How to make gel wax candles

As with any product you make, you should make sure you have all the necessary equipment ready and ready to use before you start making gel wax candles.

Equipment needed

gel wax

Natures Garden Fragrance Oils Flash Point 170F or higher (you must test compatibility) Food grade mineral oil is required for Gel Wax compatibility test

Nature’s Garden Spectrum Dyes

glass container

Zinc wicks

Embeds (optional)

Large glass measuring cup

thermometer

Metal mixer

Metal skewer (when using embeds)

heat gun

glue sticks

watering can

Once you have all the equipment you need to make your iridescent gel wax candles, it’s time to get started.

1. Melt the gel wax. There are two ways to melt Gel Wax. The first is using a Natures Garden Pouring Pot. The second is to use your glass measuring cup in the oven. Please note that gel wax melts slower than traditional waxes on the market. Be patient and don’t rush the process or turn on the heat source.

a. When using a Natures Garden watering pot. Put the wax in the casting pot. Place the Pouring Pot on a stovetop. You want to set the temperature between medium and low. Melt the Gel Wax until it has a thick, syrupy consistency. Do not allow the gel wax to get hotter than 230 degrees F using the thermometer.

b. If using the oven, preheat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven is heating up, cut or chop the desired amount of Gel Wax. When the oven has heated up, pour the Gel Wax into the glass jar and carefully place in the oven. Allow the gel wax to melt in your oven for about an hour. Check the gel wax temperature regularly with your Natures Garden thermometer to ensure the gel wax is at the right temperature.

With either method, keep an eye on the melting process of the gel wax. Never leave the Gel Wax unattended, especially when it is on the heat source. Do not exceed 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only do you risk your gel wax burning and turning yellow, but it can also be very dangerous.

2. While the gel wax is melting you will line up your containers. Plug in your hot glue gun and let it get hot. Now line up your containers. We’ve found it’s best to line them up in a single file line so you don’t end up reaching over numerous glass containers of a hot liquid wax. Once you have your bins ready, you will start vacuuming the empty bins. Apply a small dab of hot glue to the bottom of the glass jar at a time. Ideally, your wick should be 1 ½ inches from all sides. Carefully place your dab of glue. Once the swab is in place, take a single tabbed wick and place it on top of the hot glue. Hold the wick straight and steady for about 15-20 seconds. This will ensure that once the gel wax has set the wick will be positioned exactly how you want it to be. Continue this process until all of your glass containers are spoiled.

3. Once the wax is completely melted and completely in liquid form, add your Natures Garden Spectrum Color Dye. This dye is liquid candle dye. You should never use soap dye or food coloring when making gel candles. You also never want to use color blocks to color gel wax candles. Remove the melted Gel Wax from the heat source. Make sure you take them

Precautions to be taken (e.g. use of oven mitts) when taking the liquid gel wax to your candle pouring station. Now it should be noted that you can always add more Natures Garden Spectrum Color Dye to the gel wax, but once it is in you cannot remove it. It is very easy to overdye gel wax as it is transparent. So be very careful! Check first before adding your dye

Temperature of the melted gel wax. You want to add the dye at 220-225 degrees Fahrenheit. Add your Spectrum Color Dye in single droplets. Stir slowly with your metal utensil. Since you are using liquid dyes, your gel is wax

To have a swirling look of color, stir in this combination of Gel Wax and

dye until you have the desired uniform color.

4. Now that your gel wax is colored, it’s time to add fragrance oil that you have personally tested for gel wax compatibility. Due to the ever-changing IFRA changes to the fragrance market, Natures Garden no longer personally tests fragrances for the safety of gel wax. Fragrances used to make gel candles should have a flash point of 170F or higher. The fragrances should also be tested for gel wax solubility. To test solubility: Mix 1 part fragrance with 3 parts food grade mineral oil. Shake and leave for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. Now take 3 parts fragrance to 1 part mineral oil. Shake and let the mixture set for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. If you see any type of insolubility or cloudiness, the fragrance is not well suited for use in gel wax candles.

5. Again, you’ll want to make sure your gel wax is 220-225 degrees Fahrenheit. The recommended use of fragrance oil for your gel wax is no more than ½ ounce per pound of wax. Add your chosen Gel Safe fragrance oil to your melted and colored wax. Stir slowly. You want to make sure the fragrance is fully mixed into every part of your wax.

6. The next step is to carefully and slowly pour your mixture into your containers. Make sure your pouring surface is flat. When pouring your wax, tilt the container and pour the wax down the sides. This will avoid unnecessary bubbles. Don’t rush this process. Pouring the wax should be 185-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Warning, if you pour your gel wax at a lower temperature you risk unwanted bubbles. After the wax has been poured, straighten your wick again.

7. If you want to add embeds, this is the right time to do it. Choosing an embed is easy as long as you follow the guidelines for using non-combustible objects. If you want your candles to be extremely fun and exciting, you can make your own embeds using Natures Garden embed molds and a mixture of WOW Wax with stearic acid (3 tablespoons per pound of Wow Wax) added to the melting point of wax to increase . After choosing the embeds you want to use, lightly lay the first embed on top of your wax. Then gently prick the embed where you want using the metal skewer. Repeat this process until all embeds you use are placed correctly. The final step in the embedding process is to double check that your wick is still correctly placed in the center of your candle. If this is not the case, gently straighten the wick.

8. As a final note, if you see bubbles forming on the top of your candles, you can easily solve this. Taking a heat gun or hair dryer and reheating the candle tips will fix the problem.

9. Allow the gel wax to cool. The candles should take about 4 hours for this.

10. Finally trim the wick to ¼ inch and cap your new awesome gel wax candles

You are ready to use them.

11. Celebrate and Scent Your World!

step 3

Keep stirring until the mixture is clear. At the 30 minute mark the liquid begins to become a gel mixture. After an hour on the stove, the mixture will thicken. The hot, viscous mixture should have a temperature of 200 or 220 degrees at this point. At the 90 minute point, the mixture has the appearance of a gel wax. After the two hour point, the gel and wax mixture is ready to cool.

Information about gel wax

While many candle makers turn their attention to soy wax, palm wax, or paraffin wax candles, others choose to make transparent gel wax candles. Gel wax is used to make real looking beverage candles like beer and soda pop.

Some candle makers create “works of art” by embedding items such as sand, glitter, glass embeds, wax embeds, and seashells. Additionally, other candle makers use gel wax to create real looking fruitcake candles. Using gel wax in these applications allows the entire candle to glow as it burns; giving your finished product a “WOW” factor.

What is Gel Wax?

Gel Wax is a transparent, gummy compound of mineral oil and polymer resin.; Burn almost twice as long as paraffin wax candles. The approximate percentage of these two elements is 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin. The mineral oil is too loose in its original form and this is where the polymer resin comes into play. This resin is used to thicken the mineral oil to give it the clear, slow-burning wax we know it as. The patent on gel wax and the gel wax process is actually owned by Penreco. They refer to this wax as VersaGel. Natures Garden wears medium density Penreco Versagel.

Melting Gel Wax is a little different than any other paraffin or soy wax on the market. Unlike the waxes above, there isn’t an easy temperature you’re looking for to liquify the wax, instead it slowly thins out. You must be very careful when observing the wax while it is on the heat source and stir frequently. This is key to ensuring the correct melting process. Also, don’t be tempted to turn your heat source to a higher level. Gel wax doesn’t melt faster, it just smokes more.

Gel wax is to be used as a container wax only. The gel itself is not stable enough to stand on its own like pillar wax is. If you are planning to embed your gel wax candles, choose non-flammable items such as sea glass, sand, glitter, shells, marbles, glass figurines, wax embeds. Never use plastic encapsulations in your gel wax candles. Decorating your gel wax candles with these embeds can create beautiful works of art, but remember to leave enough space for the gel wax! Don’t get too crazy about adding embeds or your candle won’t burn.

Because gel wax is mostly oil, you need to make sure the fragrance oils you use are soluble in it. Many companies say that non-polar fragrances must be used in gel wax. However, it is chemically impossible to make fragrance oils non-polar. All fragrance oils contain a mixture of ketones, aldehydes, esters, resins and essential oils. These fragrance oil components all have some degree of polarity; meaning they are capable of oxidation. Fragrance oils can be made gel wax compatible by adding Isopar solvents to reduce polarity; but they will still have some degree of polarity. A reduction in polarity helps make the fragrances miscible with mineral oil. A mineral oil miscibility test is still required for any fragrance you use in gel wax.

To test solubility: Mix 1 part fragrance with 3 parts food grade mineral oil. Shake and leave for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. Now take 3 parts fragrance to 1 part mineral oil. Shake and let the mixture set for a few minutes. Check that the fragrance mixes thoroughly with the mineral oil. If you see any type of insolubility or cloudiness, the fragrance is not well suited for use in gel wax candles.

Also, the fragrance oil must have a flash point of at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the gel wax candle burns at a much higher temperature than traditional waxes. If the difference between the flash point of Gel Wax and that of your fragrance oil is large enough, you will have an unstable overall flash point of the blended product, which is unsafe.

If you want to add depth or color to your gel wax candles, liquid candle dyes are the best and only way. Although powder dyes or color blocks can be used, they often clump together making it very difficult to achieve an even color throughout the candle. Never use food coloring or water-soluble soap dyes. Choosing the right container for your gel wax candles is just like choosing the container for traditional waxes.

There are three main laws to keep in mind.

First, the container must be resistant to cracking. Obviously you don’t want a container that will crack and result in an unstable candle.

Second, the container must be able to absorb the heat from the flame and the melted wax.

After all, the container cannot leak. As with any candle there will be a wet puddle of wax, you don’t want that hot liquid spurting out.

When choosing the right wick for gel wax candles, the rule of thumb is: wick one size larger. To find the wick you are looking for, you need to measure the diameter of the opening on your candle container. Once you have this information, you need to select the appropriate zinc wick. Don’t be tempted to buy a cotton wick. These wicks tend to absorb too much gel causing them to snuff out. From this point all you have to do is find the right wick according to your diameter and then select the next larger wick.

With all the options available for Gel Wax, many candle crafters enjoy using this product. As long as you follow the safety guidelines, imagination is the key to brilliant gel wax creations.

Another amazing factor that Gel Wax has is that it is very forgiving. Any physical traits or odor issues that you are not happy with can be fixed very easily. It’s literally as easy as remelting, recasting, recoloring, or recoloring.

Always, always, always make sure the first burn of your new candle is a commemorative burn. This is also something to share with your customers. A memorial firing is important to create a clean, wax-free candle container when you’re done.

To determine the correct memory burn time for your candle, you need to know the diameter of the container. This is the same information you need to know for wick size. Once you have this data, you need to add an hour for every inch your diameter is wide. If your diameter is 2 ½ inches, your memory burn time is essentially 2 ½ hours. During this time, your candle will reach a full pool of water. The full wet bowl is just what you need to get the best possible burn and odor throw. If you don’t burn your candle using the memory burn method, you’ll get what’s called a core burn every time you light your candle again. A core fire is a wet pool that essentially only burns around the wick. This burning will never give your candle the full fragrance ability that gel wax has to offer. Also, when the wick is completely gone, you still have wax around the edges of the container and on the bottom.

There is one more consideration for gel wax candles that needs to be kept in mind. If a gel wax candle is laid on its side or turned upside down, it will eventually begin to pour. It is very important to consider this for two reasons: storage and shipping. Another important factor to consider when burning a gel wax candle is not to move it while it is lit or to cool down after it is lit. The liquid gel is very hot and will cause severe burns.

If you’re going to be burning your gel wax candle in between, it’s a good idea to seal the container. Due to the nature of gel wax, the top layer will be sticky. By covering the candle you prevent dust, insects or dirt from sticking to the top of your candle.

Before relighting your candle, always trim your wick. Keep the wick short, about ¼ inch, and protect yourself.

Never leave a lit gel wax candle unattended. Keep all candles away from children and pets.

gel wax

Gel wax is a translucent wax with the consistency of jelly used in candle making.

Due to the clarity of the wax, it’s common to find gel candles with encapsulations inside, such as B. sliced ​​dried fruit, small glass ornaments, glitter or anything that will not melt at a lower temperature than the wax.

New to making gel wax candles?

You are in the right place! Here’s our candle making guide, which includes links to all the ingredients and materials needed to get started!

If you have any questions or would like more information please use our contact page or call us on 01709 257 151 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

We’d love to see your work!

Once you’ve made your creations, why not upload a picture to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag?

#SFCFEATUREME

To make a gel candle, choose a glass or beverage jar and any wax inserts you wish to embed in your candle. Choose a gel wax density based on the desired concentration of fragrance (low density = 0-3%, medium density = 0-4%, high density = 0-5%). Choose a gel-compatible fragrance and liquid dye for color. Be sure to use a wick suitable for use with gel candles and follow all directions regarding temperatures for adding fragrance, coloring and pouring your gel candle.

Materials Making gel candles can be tricky, so don’t forget to gather all the right materials and tools you’ll need to get started! pour pots

These are needed to take your liquid wax and pour it into your molds or containers. thermometer

This important tool should not be missing in any candle shop. glue dots

These handy little tools will help keep your wick centered in the jar as you pour the wax. wax embedded

Candlewic have an extensive range of wax embeddings that work great with any of the standard gels. However, they are not suitable for the Clear Container Base. Books

A good book will serve as a reference and contain safety precautions. Remember to follow all safety guidelines and general instructions to make the best candles possible.

Step 1: Choose the right gel Each type of candle requires different materials and making gel candles is no exception, but there are a few more precautions needed, so be sure to follow all directions carefully. No additives are required for the production of gel candles. What you need: CG-1 Low Density Gel

Holds between 0-3% fragrance. Allows maximum burning pool. Medium density CG-2 gel

Holds between 0-4% fragrance. The most common gel. High Density CG-3 Gel

Holds between 0-5% fragrance.

Step 2: Choosing Fragrances You must use fragrances that are non-polar and have a flash point of 170 degrees F when making gel candles. Other fragrances can migrate out of the gel and cause problems. Our gel-compatible candle scents are marked with .

Step 3: Dyeing gel candles Only liquid dyes should be used for gel candles. Most other colorants are wax based, which can cause the gel to become cloudy. Very little dye is needed to make gel candles. In general, one ounce can color nearly 100 pounds of gel. If you are using the clear container base (CCB-1), check out our pre-made color squares. The color squares on the clear containers are not intended for use in CG-1, CG-2, or CG-3. Remember that it’s very easy to overstain gels.

Step 4: Working with Wicks Choosing the right wick is critical with gel candles due to the higher burning temperatures of this product. It is also very important to choose the right support base for the prewick assembly. The key element in the sustainer base is the “neck height” which is the part that keeps the wick upright. A longer neck will help ensure the flame dies out before it reaches the bottom of the container. View all zinc core wick coils. Gel type 2-3″ diameter

Candle 3-4″ diameter

Candle CG-1 44-24-18 zinc

44-28-18 zinc

44-32-18 zinc 44-32-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc

60-44-18 zinc CG-2 44-28-18 zinc

44-32-18 zinc

44-36-18 Zinc 51-32-18 Zinc

60-44-18 zinc

62-52-18 zinc CG-3 44-36-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc

51-32-18 zinc 51-32-18 zinc

60-44-18 zinc

62-52-18 zinc CCB 21-ply

24-ply

27-ply 27-ply

30 ply

36-ply

Step 5: Purchase Glassware Candlewic’s range of glassware continues to grow. The standard apothecary jars are always in 15 oz., 22 oz. and 32 ounces. sizes. Additionally, we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting glassware, so be sure to check out the Glassware section.