| Gel candles are growing in popularity. They work the | | | | water and one to melt the wax in, the gel wax is |
| same as regular wax candles in the respect that they | | | | placed directly in the multi-cooker to melt. Although the |
| will burn in the same way that wax candles burn but | | | | multi-cooker comes with a temperature dial, it is still a |
| they are made a little differently. | | | | good idea to use a separate thermometer to make |
| Wax candles are made from oil. The same is true with | | | | sure that the gel is melted at the proper temperature. |
| gel candles but they are made of 95% mineral oil and | | | | Use something metal or hard plastic to stir the gel wax. |
| 5% polymer resin. The resin starts out as a powder | | | | Wooden spoons can sometimes add bubbles to the |
| but when it is mixed with the mineral oil it is | | | | gel. The most important thing to remember is that gel |
| transformed into a solid state. Gel wax comes in three | | | | candle wax can catch fire. Make sure you have a |
| different states: high density, medium density, and low | | | | chemical fire extinguisher near by. |
| density. The higher the density, the more fragrance the | | | | It is also possible to change the color of the gel candle |
| oil can hold. Plus, the thicker gel will hold the suspended | | | | wax by using dyes. Liquid candle dyes are perfect for |
| decorations with in the candle. But, keep in mind that | | | | gel candles because they can maintain the |
| the thicker gel takes longer to meld and it is harder to | | | | translucency of the gel. It only takes a very small |
| pour. | | | | amount of the dye to actually change the color of the |
| The steps that go into making a candle out of regular | | | | wax. Sometimes even a drop of dye is too much. You |
| wax such as melting the wax and pouring it in a mold | | | | should never use crayons, clothing dye, food coloring, |
| to dry are the same steps you need to do in making | | | | or soap dyes in gel candle wax. They will no burn right |
| gel candles. But, the equipment you use and the | | | | because they are not made specifically for candles. |
| techniques are slightly different. With other types of | | | | Learning how to make gel candles is fast and easy. |
| candle wax most people use a double boiler to melt | | | | There are so many possibilities when it comes to |
| the wax. But, trying to melt gel wax in a double boiler | | | | creating wonderful candles with gel wax. The best |
| would take way too long. Some gel candle makers | | | | thing about gel candles is that you can add decorations |
| have turned to multi-cookers to get the job done. A | | | | directly to the wax so that they float within the candle. |
| multi-cooker is kind of like a deep fryer. They typically | | | | This is a clever and unique way to personalize a gift if |
| are metal with a non-stick coating. They have a | | | | you are making the candle for someone else. Plus, gel |
| separate heating element with a temperature dial so | | | | candles burn slower then regular wax candles so they |
| you can get the proper temperature to melt the gel | | | | will last a little longer. |
| wax. Rather then using two separate pots one with | | | | |