| In this article we are going to discuss how to make gel | | | | the wax candle, these suspended decorations are |
| candles because they are the most incredible of all | | | | visible making for a pretty incredible effect. |
| candles as you are about to see. | | | | Another advantage of working with high density gel is |
| Gel candles are becoming increasingly popular | | | | that they will hold more scent in them allowing them to |
| because you can do some amazing things with gel | | | | give off more fragrance to a room. |
| that you can't do with wax candles (which we'll get to | | | | Most candle wax is melted by using a double boiler but |
| in a second). And if you've made wax candles then | | | | this is not how to make gel candles. A multi-cooker is |
| you basically already know how to make gel candles | | | | used for melting gel. They are metal with a non-stick |
| because the differences are only very slight. If you | | | | coating and have a temperature dial. But you should |
| haven't made candles it's okay we will go over it so | | | | use a thermometer just to be sure. It should be heated |
| you will be able to do it. | | | | to about 200 degrees F but it can vary depending on |
| Surprisingly enough both wax and gel candles are | | | | the manufacturer so to be safe check with them. |
| made mostly of oil. Gel candles are 95% oil but when | | | | Usually wooden paint sticks or long wooden spoons |
| you mix in the 5% powdered resin the whole mixture | | | | are used to stir wax but this will cause bubbles in gel |
| will turn solid. Gel comes in 3 densities; high, medium | | | | so metal or hard plastic is recommended. However |
| and low. The high is a little harder to work but it is the | | | | you may want to make a gel candle that has bubbles |
| best. | | | | in it. Again the bubbles will be visible and can be pretty |
| The difficulty with the high density gel is that it doesn't | | | | interesting and artsy. |
| really become a liquid when it is heated the way wax | | | | A word of caution I have to give is that gel can catch |
| does but rather it becomes a thick syrup. This makes it | | | | fire so you will need a chemical fire extinguisher. |
| harder to pour and will cause bubbles in the wax if it is | | | | When the gel is heated you add your scent, and there |
| done incorrectly. This can be avoided by pouring it | | | | are literally hundreds to chose from, and for some |
| while it is still hot and carefully pouring it down the side | | | | color add some dye. Use liquid candle dyes because |
| of the container (like you would a beer to prevent it | | | | they will allow the gel to remain clear and you only |
| from foaming). | | | | need a little bit of the dye for gel candles. |
| The advantage of working with a high density gel is | | | | At this point you actually know how to make gel |
| that you can easily suspend things in it, like decoration, | | | | candles and you can see it really is quite easy to do |
| like glitter, or coins, or beads, or marbles, beautiful | | | | and the final product is quite amazing. |
| stones and so on. And because the gel is clear, unlike | | | | |