How to Make Taper Candles (7 steps)

Candles are a great way to set the mood. These tapers work well in any candle holder, and they can even be used for emergency kits or power outages.

This tutorial will show you how to make homemade beeswax candles using simply dipped tapers.

Step 1. Prepare your work area

Lay down a sheet of old fabric or scrap fabric to prepare your workspace. This will allow the candles to cool between dips. As the candles cool, set up a wooden clothes rack.

A table or countertop is needed to place the candles and heat sources to melt them. You’ll need to take fewer steps if the stove is closer to the area where the candles are cooling.

Step 2. Melt the wax

To melt or keep your wax warm, set up a double boiler. To act as a double boiler, you will need to place your dipping vessel in a large pot. As the outside vessel for a double boiler, large stock pots are good.

If your wax melter is dedicated, melt your wax first before placing it in a double-boiler. You can use the double boiler to maintain your working temperature.

The working temperature should be approximately 165°F. Learn how to use the wax melter in your work.

Step 3. Wick weights

The initial weighting of each pair of tapers with something will be necessary. This helps keep the wick straight while dipping. For example, you can tie metal nuts to the wicks. Feel free to invent.

Midway through the process, you’ll remove the wicks from their weight. After the wicks have accumulated wax, they will stay straight.

Step 4. Start dipping the wicks

Continue tightening the wicks until they are straight. Reduce the taper to the melted wax. It should be covered with wax.

Grab the stick that holds the top of your wick and quickly dip it in the melted wax. It would help if you did this quickly up and down to avoid the wax from slipping off the string.

To ensure the wax sticks, the best way to make sure the wax doesn’t slip off the string is to leave each candle with a thin layer of wax on it. Then return to the candle to dip more.

• After each dip, gently blow on the string, which will help it position itself for cooling.
• The wax will initially cover the taper, and gradually a taper candle can form. Continue to dip patiently to add layers of wax.
• If necessary, heat wax.
• You can repeat this process as many as necessary to get the taper candle shape and width you want.

When the wax has run out, add some melted wax to top it off and heat the temperature again before you resume dipping.

Step 5. Check the candle’s diameter periodically

To check the size of your candle, it helps to keep a candleholder close by. To ensure that the candles don’t tip over when lit, you want them to fit into the hold. Your DIY beeswax candles will have a round bottom due to the tapper’s drips. You will need to trim the bottom of your candles.

Step 6. Let the candles dry.

Lay the taper candles on a “drying rack.” Instead, the candles should not touch the ground and suspend in the air. When the candles feel hard to handle, they are finished.

Step 7. At both ends of the candle, trim the wick

Create a small wick to light the candle from the taper’s thinner end. It should measure approximately 1/2″ (1.2 cm). Cut the wick at the thicker end as close to the taper as possible. Any wax remnants not required for the taper candle shape should be removed.

Tips for making taper candles

• A candle mold is an excellent option if you are looking for a perfect shape.
• To melt the wax, break it into smaller pieces.
• It is essential to know the temperature of the wax. If you are able, use a thermometer. The ideal dipping temperature should be between 150-165oF (65 to 75oC). Hotter wax can cause bubbles in your candle, while colder wax can lead to unevenly shaped tapers.
• Let the wax cool to room temperature. Do not try to make it faster by putting it in the refrigerator, and I found that it caused some air bubbles in my finished candle.
• Add scent or color to the wax after it has melted completely. You can find candle-friendly fragrances and dyes.

How can you make taper candles stand straight?

Take a small piece of paper and fold it in half. Wrap it around the tapered candle’s bottom. You can adjust the number of times that you wrap the cling wrap and/or how much until the bottom of your candle fits in the hole. Your candles will now stand straight and burn evenly.

Сonclusion

Most candles are made with paraffin or a combination of paraffin, beeswax, stearic (a derivative of beef fat or sheep’s fat), and paraffin. These chemicals can raise the burning point, increase hardness, add color and scent, and enhance color and texture.

These candles are toxic and contribute to indoor air pollution. You can also use less harmful soy wax as an alternative.

You can make candles that are good for the environment and your health using natural beeswax or soy wax.

Sources:

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Basic-Taper-Candles

https://www.candletech.com/candle-making/how-to-make-hand-dipped-taper-candles/