You may not be aware of it, but that gel candle wax that you see at your craft store is not made of wax at all. Don’t be misled by the name. Gel candle wax is actually a form of mineral oil and not wax at all. Technically, gel candle wax is a bit more like soy candle wax in terms of consistency.
Does this make gel wax candles more difficult to make compared to your traditional wax candles? Surprisingly, gel candle wax is easier to fashion into interesting shapes and looks. The key here is to know the unique qualities of this type of substance and make the most out of it. To get you started, here are interesting things to know about gel wax.
Gel candle wax can be melted by applying direct heat. However, unlike paraffin and beeswax, gel wax does not melt easily. It needs higher temperature to melt. Using a double boiler to melt gel candle wax will not do. You need between 230 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit to melt gel candle wax so you might as well forget about using that double boiler. Instead of using a double boiler, try using the oven or a hot plate. However, be very careful not to raise the temperature more than 260 degrees Fahrenheit. Too high of a temperature will scorch the gel and all your money and your labor will go to waste.
To make sure that your gel candle wax turn out perfectly, don’t leave it on the hotplate or in the oven unattended. You should also keep small children away from the area where you work to prevent accidents. Remember that little children are very curious and they like to see what you are doing. If they come too close to your candle wax, they could get burned.
An interesting about gel candle wax is that gel doesn’t need a wick tab. All you need to do is tie the wick to a stick and then set it on top of your wax container. After placing the wick on top of the container, pour your wax into the container. Take care not to burn yourself.
If you want to add colors to your gel wax candle, be sure to use gel friendly dyes only. According to experts, these types of dyes have higher flashpoints so they do not cloud your gel.