Candle-making is very calming. It is a kind of hobby for many people who likes DIY crafting a lot. The process of making candles is more fascinating and satisfying than any other craft.
Speaking of making candles, alcohol-scented candles are cozy and makes a warm atmosphere throughout the house. There are lots of different flavored candles in the market. But there may not be a specific one that you are searching for. To have that experience you need to know how to make candles.
Making a candle is not easy or hard enough to give up. Just collecting all the tools and equipment and following the making process step by step will help you to make alcohol-scented candles. Keep reading to get into the detailed discussion.
Candles not only give light in the dark, but they also spread out the fragrant aroma of different scents. Candles with an alcohol scent are called alcohol-scented candles. There are so many appealing scented candles. Alcohol-scented candles are one of them.
Basically, candles with any other scent like a flower smell or food smell are very common. But candles with scented alcohol on them are unusual. In fact, many people will think it is dangerous to put alcohol with candles as alcohol is very flammable. But fear not, this alcohol is not like regular Booz, it is an alcohol-flavored fragrance oil that can be mixed with candle wax easily. You do not need actual alcohol to make a candle like that.
To make these alcohol-scented candles you need to collect all the ingredients and follow a few steps of a process to make the candle.
Let’s see what those are:
Before getting into cooking, you need to shape up first. To make an alcohol-scented candle, you need candle wax. There are different wax you can use to make the candle. There is paraffin wax, soy wax, palm wax, beeswax, gel wax, rapeseed wax, and coconut wax. You can use any wax of your interest. I would suggest soy wax as it is easy to use.
Two water boiler pots for boiling water as a double boiler to melt the wax. A temperature meter to check the heat of the wax. Then, you need eco wicks and a jar with a lid into which you will pour the melted wax. A stick that can hold the wick straight. You can use the wick-centering tool as well.
First, cut the wax into little pieces. If you already have soy wax then just put then into the boiling pot for melting. Keep the heat at a suitable stage. Using a double boiler to melt down the wax flakes
Using a temperature meter can help you to understand the heat level and when to stop heating the wax. When it reached 160 degrees add your alcohol scent and stir it a couple of times.
You need to measure the amount of alcohol fragrance oil you are mixing with the wax. There is a perfect ratio to adding alcohol fragrance oil with the wax.
You will need 6 to 10 % or 1 ounce (approximately 30ml) of alcohol fragrance oil for Every 1 pound of wax. Adding fragrance oil accordingly is important, especially alcohol fragrance. Too much will ruin the scent and too less will bring no scent at all.
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Pick a candle wick and prepare for sticking it in the middle of the jar or a tumbler. There are natural wooden wicks, eco zinc core wicks, and basic string wicks. The most common one is string wicks. But I would suggest using zinc core wicks as it is eco-friendly and easy to buy. Use a centering tool to place the wick or just use stick it with a pencil to center it.
Pouring the melted wax into the candle jar or tumbler is the important part. Before pouring the wax check its temperature of it. Between 90 to 70 degree Celsius is the ideal heat and a perfect time to pour the melted wax. You will get better results if you pour the liquid wax at a cooler temp.
Pour the wax as slowly as you can. Avoid air-creating bubbles which look odd. After that, let the candle cool at room temperature for at least 24 hours before lighting it.
After getting the wax hard and the candle is ready to light, trim the wick at a suitable height. The standard height for a candle wick is ¾ to 1 inch. But I prefer keeping it leveling to the tumbler.
In addition, make labels and put that in the tumbler or jar of the candle. This will make a good impression as you give it to someone you love. Gifting candles is a tradition in some countries. Put the name of the person or a similar tag name that indicates that the person is quite creative.
Also, make your own mark by adding a logo or name on the candle jar or tumbler so that people can see who made this beautiful piece of art. This small label will make others admire your skills and innovations.
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Making an alcohol scent candle also concerns safety measures. It is so obvious when you hear alcohol and candle together your mind feels danger as alcohol is very flammable. So, safety comes first before making an alcohol scent candle.
Put on safety gloves and a mask. Keep your distance when you boil wax or touch alcohol fragrance oil to use. Be very careful when the wax is melted over 160 to 180 degrees Celsius. Protect your eyes from the boiled wax’s vapor. Do not let kids under 12 use any of these things alone.
Putting alcohol in candles is very dangerous. Alcohol is a chemical that is very much flammable. A burning candle holds fire, and with the help of flammable alcohol can burn your house. So do not do such things as that. More so, alcohol is an expensive element and a rare chemical. Putting it in candles is such a waste of time. This idea is not logical in practical life also.
On the other hand, if you try putting a candle into alcohol will result in fading the wax surface. That also makes the color fade. This idea is quite interesting.
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The best way to make candles smell like beer is to add beer fragrance oil to the melted wax. Also, use beer scent spray all over the candle to make it smell like beer. But this will not make the candle spread the aroma.
Using alcohol or similar chemicals will melt the waxy stain away. But generic alcohol or alcohol-based liquid can’t melt candles made of solid wax.
Triacontanyl palmitate is a typical wax ester that is derived from triacontanol alcohol and palmitic acid. This acid is safe to mix with wax.
Most of the time, molded candles will automatically have a shiny finish. It is mainly because of the relatively high recommended pouring temperature (176 to 185) degrees Fahrenheit. The rule of thumb is: the hotter is wax and the faster it cools off and the shinier the finished candle will be.
Making or crafting homemade candles is a creative way to produce something innovative. Using this same method to make an alcohol-scented candle is another creative way to reveal how innovative you are. Following the methods that I talked about will help you make the candles easily with the right equipment. It is a matter of trial and error so don’t give up if your first attempt is a failure.
And due to the flammability of alcohol, do make sure that you take all necessary safety precautions when making your alcohol-scented candle. Better be safe than sorry!