Metal molds make pillar candles that feature a simple, traditional design. They work great to make candles where you want to highlight a specific design technique such as making a multi-colored layered candle or an ice candle. They also work wonderfully to make candles that you want to decorate or display the beautiful simplicity all on their own. Here is a list of equipment and basic step-by-step instructions on how to use our metal candle molds:

Supplies

Instructions

Metal Pillar Candle Mold

    1. Prepare your mold by spraying the inside with a light coating of silicone release spray.

 

    1. Next, you will need to wick your mold. To do this, turn the mold upside down and thread your wick through the pre-drilled hole on the bottom. The wick hole should be large enough for you to easily thread the wick through. Pull the wick up from the other side through the center of the mold. Leave approximately 2 inches of wick trailing from the bottom of the mold.

 

    1. There are a variety of ways to seal a wick hole at the bottom of the mold, but we have found the best way to protect from leaking is to use a combination of mold sealer putty and a magnetized mold sealer. To do this, first take a small ball of sealing putty (no larger than an inch in diameter) and press it over the wick hole where the wick comes through the mold. Press the putty down firmly until it is as flat as possible and ensuring that the sides have no gaps. Wrap the remaining tail of the wick around the top of the mold sealer putty and press into the putty. Place the magnetized mold sealer over the putty sealed wick hole making sure the edges of the magnet are securely attached to the mold.

 

    1. Once your wick hole is completely sealed, turn the mold back over and pull the wick until it is tight and straight making sure not to release the seal at the bottom. Place the wick bar on top of the mold and secure the wick by inserting into the cut notch in the wick bar leaving 4 to 5 inches of wick trailing from the top of the wick bar.

 

    1. Place your your wax of choice in a metal melting pot with pour spot. Set up a double boiler by placing a double boiler ring in the bottom of a large pot of water, fill the large pot 1/4 to 1/2 full and then place your wax filled melting pot on top of the ring to prevent the pot from floating and to melt the wax evenly.

 

    1. Gently melt your wax over medium heat using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Melt until all the wax is completely liquid and until it has reached the desired pouring temperature. For beeswax and soy wax, we recommend to pour at approximately 150 to 160 degrees F. It's important to not heat above 170 degrees F or not to leave melting wax unattended as it is highly flammable. If you are adding color and scent to your wax, add once the wax has reached the desired pouring temperature.

Pillar Candles Cinnamon

    1. While your wax is melting, prepare your pouring surface by covering with newspaper or cloth in case of any leaks or overflows. Wax is hard to remove from hard surfaces so this allows for extra protection.

 

    1. Once your wax has reached the desired pouring temperature, gently and slowly pour into your prepared mold until it reaches the top and making sure not to pour over the edge.

 

    1. Allow your wax to cool checking it every hour for the first 3 to 4 hours. If you notice that a well starts to form around the wick in the center of the candle, gently poke a hole in the surface of the congealed wax near the wick. This is to release any air bubbles that might be captured under the surface. Then "refill the well" by gently and slowing pouring more melted wax (still at the desired pouring temperature or slightly below) into the well making sure that the liquid wax doesn't go up over the dried wax on the edges. Repeat the process of "filling the well" as needed. Beeswax does not shrink very much upon cooling so this process may only need to be done once or twice.

 

    1. Allow your candle to dry for 24 hours at room temperature.

 

    1. Once your candle is completely dry, remove the wick bar from the top and the magnetized mold sealer and sealing putty from the bottom. Gently pull the candle out of the mold from the top. It should slide out smoothly. If you have difficulty in getting the candle out, gently warm the outside of the mold with a hair dryer. Warm the candle just enough to remove from the mold.

 

    1. Trim the wick on the bottom of the candle so that it is flush with the surface of the wax. Trim the wick on the top of the candle to 1/2 inch from the surface of the wax. If you used a metal mold that has a seam down the side, you can trim the embossment from the seam with a bread knife smoothing it down to the surface of the wax.

 

    1. Place on a candle holder, light and enjoy!