Pretty Gel Candles!

This month I decided I needed a kick away from winter. I am thinking sunshine and summer here! It's a long way away yet but these candles are pretty and remind me of the warmer months that will come again in the spring! Gel candles are not as common as they once were, but they are so pretty and when made correctly burn beautifully and smell terrific! 

This months project are very basic to make but really look like a million bucks and smell terrific! Wax Embed Gel Candles!

Supplies:

Presto Kitchen Kettle to melt the gel
Digital Scale
Metal Spoons
Pyrex Measure Cup
Liquid Candle Dye (optional)
Wax Embeds
**(Embeds can also be made using
IGI 1260 wax and our Embed Molds)
Low Density Candle Gel
GelWix Candle Wicks
**Gel Aroma Fragrance Oils
(Gel Fragrances MUST BE GEL SAFE!!! Please see
Safety info regarding how to check this by clicking here)
1/2 Pint Square Mason Jars
Lids


Instructions for making wax

1. Pre-wick your jars using the wick stickums or high temp hot glue on the bottom of the round metal wick tabs. Stick them down in the center of your jars and make sure they are secure.
2. Melt the gel. We recommend using a Presto Kitchen Kettle for this
3.  Use the thermometer to keep track of temperature. Once temp reaches about 210, add your liquid dye (optional). Very little is needed to tint the gel, but this will depend on how faint or dark you want the tint. We recommend using a toothpick to dab a tiny bit of dye on the tip, then swirl it into the gel. Add more as needed.
4. Next add your scent. Penreco recommends using no more than 3% (1/2 oz per pound) in Low Density gel. We recommend using a digital scale for accuracy.
5. Stir well and check temperature with thermometer. Once gel is approx. 200 degrees it is ready to pour. The cooler you pour, the more bubbles your gel will have. To minimize the bubbles, you can pour a little hotter at around 220, but we do not recommend any higher temp.
6. Pour from your Pyrex cup into your jars slowly and steadily. Pour it about 1/2 full. Wait about five minutes and using a hemostat or a long tweezers place the embeds.
7. Set in your embeds where desired.
8. Re-heat the remainder of the gel to about 180 and pour the remainder of the gel candle slowly and steadily. Keep wicks as straight and centered as possible.
9. Gel does not shrink, therefore your finished candles will require no re-pour and will be ready to burn in just a couple of hours!

I will be revisiting some more gel projects in the coming month! This months project is simple and will certainly look different than the rest! :)

Happy Candle Making!
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