You have decided that you want to make your own candles. I think that is wonderful! Here is what you are going to need to get started in the candle making crafts:
Pouring Pot - This is the container that you use to pour the molten wax.
There are several reasons why you want to have a pouring pot that is separate from your melting pot. First, if you are using a double boiler, then the bottom of your melting pot will be dripping wet - and you don't want the drips to go into the candles. The second reason is to make it easier to pour the wax. While your melting pot looks like a "pot," you want your pouring pot to be some sort of pitcher.
You want your pouring pot to
* Have a lip or pouring spout that helps the liquid pour smoothly, rather than allowing it to down the side of the pot
* Be heat resistant. A standard glass or plastic container that you use for cold liquids will not work for hot wax.
* Have a handle that will make it easy to manipulate the pitcher so that you can pour the wax smoothly, and allow you to stop at will.
A large clear borosilicate glass (Pyrex™ is one brand name) measuring cup works well. The advantage of using a clear pouring pot is that you can easily monitor the progress of your blending efforts.
A metal pitcher would also work, but it would be harder to see how well the wax was blended with the colors.
Pot Holders or Welding gloves -When the wax has reached the right temperature in the melting pot, you will need to transfer it to the pouring pot.
Once the wax, you will add the color and scent. Many candle recipes say to add the scent last, however if you add the color last then you will be able to see how well that it is blended in, which also confirms that the scent has been blended in well.
Note that if the coloring agent that you are using is supplied in a solid wax form, then you will want to melt it separately before adding it to the pouring pot.
Dipping Vat
If you are going to make dipped tapers, then you need to have a dipping vat. A dipping vat is a tall narrow container, usually made out of galvanized steel pipe, which is welded to a stable base. It holds the melted wax. The height of the dipping pot will define the length of the tapers.
You need to maintain the wax temperature during the length of time that are you dipping, so typically, a dipping vat is put into the double boiler and used in lieu of the melting pot. A pouring pot is not needed to make dipped candles.
An accessory to a dipping vat is a dipping frame. This holds the wicks in place and keeps the candles from moving around. Without a frame, the wick will simply float in the wax for the first few dips. Since you do not want the candles to touch one another, a frame that keeps the candles from moving around allows you to make more candles at one time than you would be able to if they were free to swing.
