How to Use Silicone Candle Molds like a Pro
You’ve likely come across silicone candle molds if you’ve been making candles for some time. These silicone candle moulds are so much fun to make candles with; I thought I would share my knowledge.
These moulds are great fun to use, easy to use, and offer a wide range of options. They can be used for Christmas, Easter, and Halloween.
Consider this when you’re thinking of adding color or fragrance to your candles. Like many molds, fragrances and dyes can seep into silicon. It will then become polluted and degraded.
You should be able to make about half a dozen candles before they start to deteriorate. If you are willing to wait for shipping, they can be purchased on Amazon quite cheaply.
The best thing about silicone mold candles for me is their creativity and ability to create amazing things with very little effort. These molds are the same as other molds but with a few extra steps. The beautiful shapes and patterns you can create with just a few more steps are well worth it.
Silicone Candle Moulds
Ask for the final size of your finished candle. This can be very different from the size of your mold. This is a trap I have fallen for many times. It’s been 2 to 3 weeks since your mold arrived and the candle is only 2 inches tall! It was very disappointing!
For easy removal, some silicon molds have a cut down on the sides. These are usually higher quality and more expensive. If the mold you’re using does not have a slit, don’t be discouraged. This can be done easily with a razor blade or sharp craft knife. Your mold will still work afterward. For more information, see step 9.
Candle makers often recommend spraying a candle release agent to remove finished candles from their molds. This can be helpful, but it doesn’t guarantee a 100% success rate. It can also affect the shelf-life of your mold. Before using, always check with the seller.
Instructions
The wick will be threaded through the needle. Make sure you have enough to light the candle and extra to wrap around your wick holder. The needle and the wick should be threaded through the mold hole.
- If your mold does not have a hole to hold the wick, you will need one. Locate the middle of the mold, and use the wick needle to make a hole.
Push the needle through the mold, dragging the wick along with it. You can thread either from the inside or outside, depending on how confident you are.
A wick sealant or white tack may be necessary to prevent any wax from leaking out. The silicon doesn’t stick well to my sealant, so do your best.
- Find the right container to suspend your mold in. This is usually done with a glass or a few books. You can use elastic bands to secure the mold back together if it has any slits on its sides.
After your mold has become stable, you can straighten the wick and attach it to a Wick holder or a piece of bamboo. It may be necessary to attach it using sticky tape.
- Place your wax in a double boiler. If you don’t have one, heat a pan with half of the water on the stove.
You’ll need to calculate the amount of wax needed depending on the size and shape of the mold. If in doubt, use more.
After the wax has boiled, reduce the heat to simmer and place a metal bowl or heatproof glass bowl around the pan’s rim. This will ensure that the water is just below the surface of the pan.
You can start by doing, then wick your candle as your wax melts. If you have never melted wax before make sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get too hot.
- Once your wax is completely transparent and melted, you can add your color.
You can see how little dye you need if you look at the image below. Be conservative when dyeing. You can always add more, but you cannot take back what’s been added.
- Next, add your fragrance. The fragrance oil can be either essential oil or oil. Fragrance oil is my preference for candles. Essential oils can be more costly and are better used in skincare products.
Today, I am using wonderful jasmine scent oil in my candle. I use about 5% of my wax.
To reduce the formation of air bubbles, pour your wax slowly into a mold and then let it set aside until it is solid. You may see your wax sink as it hardens. It’s normal and nothing to worry about if it happens.
7. Allow the wax to cool for at least an hour after it has been poured. This will depend on how large the mold is and the amount of wax used. Melt any remaining wax and fill any cracks in the candle with water.
Once the wax has cooled, it is time to take it out of the wax. You should be able to remove the candle if your mold has already been cut along the sides.
You will need to make careful cuts with a razor blade or sharp craft knife. To get the candle out, you will need to make cuts about halfway up the mold. I make about three to four cuts around the mold.
8. The mold can still be used after it has been cut. Just wrap a few rubber bands around it to ensure it fits snugly and is ready for use.
