Let's talk about Candle Making Equipment. If your a candle making wiz the following information may come to you as old news. When you are ready to start making candles, various types of equipment will be needed. Whether a novice candle maker who enjoys filling the home with wonderful fragrances or a professional candle maker, creating amazing masterpieces, you will find candle making equipment specific to your needs. Melting Pots A small melting pot is ideal for the hobbyist. This size pot will hold up to two pounds of melted wax and can be used on direct heat or with a steamer pot for the double-boiler method. This method is the best option for reducing potential hazards, by controlling the wax temperature and not allowing it to reach dangerously high temperatures. The standard melting pot is like the smaller melting pot except it holds up to four pounds of melted wax. This would be ideal for craft parties, making holiday candles, or for average-sized projects. Again, the double-boiler method is recommended. The steamer pot is used with either the small or standard melting pot as the double-boiler piece of equipment. This method is often preferred since the wax does not have to be monitored as closely. The double-boiler method eliminates the wax flash point, where temperatures can reach 400 F and catch on fire. With this method, wax never exceeds 210 F as long as the water level is kept at the recommended level. If preferred, you can choose a wax melting kit that usually includes a small melting pot, steamer pot, thermometer, and wooden sticks. If you are a serious candle maker, equipment is available to make the process easier. For example, the 50-pound electric melter melts up to 50 pounds of wax in two hours! This melter is economical and features a temperature control dial and replaceable flow control valve. Most types of wax can be used with this melter although plain wax works best for easy cleanup. To add color or fragrance, use a separate container. This greatly reduces inside cleanup. When the melter needs cleaning, melt plain wax, running it thorough the valve until the wax flow is clear. The 150-pound wax melter melts up to 150 pounds of wax all at once. Not only does this take time off production, but it also increases profit. This model is designed to use heated water to melt wax safely and fast. Features include a water level indicator, see-through lid, dual water drainage plugs, water temperature display, and replaceable flow control valve and heating element that includes a temperature control dial. This too should only be used for plain wax, using a separate container for color and fragrance. To increase the quantity of candles being made, you can step up to a 100-pound wax melter, designed to melt up to 100 pounds at one time. Features include two temperature control dials, and a replaceable flow control valve. For wax type, cleaning, color, and fragrance, follow the same pattern as the 50-pound model. Dipping Vat Dipping vats come in various sizes for different needs. The single tank, dipping vat is not heated and perfect for a five-inch taper dipping ring. This vat holds up to 25 pounds of wax and can dip 10 candles at once. For the wicks, holes will have to be drilled into the mold or the candles themselves. The dipping ring is designed for 10 candles and can be used with the single tank or the 7-tank dipping vat. To create tall taper candles up to 16 inches, simply adjust the ring. The large water-dipping vat is the monster of dipping vats. This vat is heated and designed to melt any type of wax safety. The features on this vat include a water drainage plug, extra heavy power cord with grounded three-prong plug, removable tank for easy cleanup, and a replaceable heating element with temperature control dial. Thermometer To become skilled at candle making, producing quality candles, you need a thermometer. When it comes to candle making, guessing wax temperature will not work. These thermometers are designed specifically for wax and are very sensitive. You will discover various models but when buying, look for a thermometer that has numbers easy to read, and preferably, one that comes with a sheath to provide protection while being stored. Another feature that comes in handy is an attached ball, which acts somewhat like a small handle, allowing you to turn the thermometer to read the temperature without touching the hot thermometer itself. Most thermometers will have a metal clip, which can be attached to the melting pot so there is no worry about it slipping down into the wax. Generally, wax thermometers will range from 75 to 400 F. If you have trouble finding a thermometer in the wax supply section, look in the candy making section since they use the same type of thermometer. Stirrers As the wax begins to melt, you will have some melted wax and some chunks of wax not melted. Wooden stirrers are excellent for stirring the wax not melted around, ensuring the wax melts evenly and at the same temperature. As you can see there's a array of candle making equipment out there and we just listed a few. |
