To make ice candles, you essentially create a mold, embed a candle within it, fill it with crushed ice, pour in melted wax, drain the water, and then remove the mold to reveal a unique, textured candle. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Materials You'll Need
- Wax (paraffin, soy, or beeswax)
- Wicks
- Candle dye (optional)
- Scent (optional)
- Cardboard cartons or other suitable molds (milk cartons, plastic containers, etc.)
- Crushed ice
- Double boiler or melting pot
- Taper candle (to create the initial hole)
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Newspaper or protective covering for your work area
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare Your Mold: Cut your carton (or mold) to the desired height for your candle. Ensure it's clean and dry.
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Mount the Taper Candle: Center the taper candle at the bottom of the mold. This creates a space for the wick later. You can secure it with a small amount of wax or by temporarily taping it in place.
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Melt the Wax: Use a double boiler or melting pot to safely melt your chosen wax. Add dye and scent if desired, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Never melt wax directly on a stove as it can be a fire hazard.
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Fill the Mold with Crushed Ice: Pack the space around the taper candle tightly with crushed ice. The more ice you use, the more interesting the textures of your candle will be.
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Pour the Wax: Carefully pour the melted wax into the mold, ensuring it fills the spaces between the ice. Avoid pouring directly onto the taper candle, but rather around it.
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Let it Cool and Drain Water: Allow the wax to cool and partially harden. This may take a few hours. Once the wax has formed a shell but is still somewhat pliable, remove the taper candle, and drain the water from the melted ice. You can poke holes in the bottom of the carton to expedite this process.
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Remove the Mold: Once the wax has completely hardened, carefully peel off the carton or remove the mold from the candle.
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Finishing Touches: Insert a wick into the hole left by the taper candle. Ensure the wick is long enough to extend beyond the top of the candle. Trim the wick to the desired length.
Safety Precautions
- Always melt wax in a double boiler or melting pot to prevent overheating and fire.
- Use heat-resistant gloves when handling hot wax.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Never leave melting wax unattended.
- Keep water away from melted wax, as this can cause splattering.
- Allow the candles to cool completely before handling.
Tips for Success
- Experiment with different types of molds, ice sizes, and wax colors to create unique candles.
- Add essential oils for a natural scent.
- Use caution when handling hot wax to prevent burns.
- For extra texture, consider adding larger ice chunks in addition to crushed ice.
- The warmer the wax is when poured, the more ice will melt, creating bigger holes. This can be fun to experiment with, but also increase the risk of the candle leaking when burned, so balance the look with functionality.
