A candle making mold is something that can make or break you as a budding artist. The good news is that a mold can be practically anything. The only thing that limits you is your imagination. Today, we will focus the conversation on the traditional candle making mold.
You can spend thousands on the "perfect" set of molds for the pieces that you intend to produce. The better candle molds are made out of stainless steel, but there are other varieties that are comparable. One word of warning on candle making mold purchases, especially if you are working with beeswax. Aluminum candle molds work well, they are resilient, but in most cases they will darken the exterior of your candle. It is even worse when working with beeswax. If you know to expect it, you can either compensate with your dye formula or accept it as you pour.
Another thing you should consider is whether or not the mold has noticeable seams. Remember, anything that creates a line in the candle making mold will also create a line in your candle. There are two ways to avoid this. Either buy only seamless molds, which are traditionally more expensive for good reason, or be prepared with a razor knife after the candle is removed to make the seam manageable. This works well with pillar candles, but can become tedious if you are pouring votives.
Before you begin your pour, make sure to coat the interior of the candle making mold with a silicone spray or a non stick vegetable oil spray. This will make life infinitely easier for you after the wax sets. Not unlike a cake, as wax sets up, it will adhere to the surface that it is contained within. Most people have dealt with the small surface area of candle drippings. Imagine wax being that set over the surface area of a pillar candle. It would be impossible to move without marring the candle somewhat.
The most important thing you can do throughout the entire process is protect your candle making mold. This is imperative. Remember again that any mark in the mold will appear in the candle. There are some simple rules for care of molds. For all molds, make sure they are thoroughly washed and cleaned after each pour. Avoid using abrasive agents, as this will scar the surface of the mold interior. Allow them to air dry, ensuring that water has been removed from any folds in the mold material before the next use.
For metal molds, place in a cool, dry area, and do not "nest" them. In the larger companies, they are kept on a separate shelf wrapped in cloth to prevent any dents. Once a metal candle making mold is dented, it is essentially useless.
For plastic molds, avoid any drastic temperature fluctuations as this will lead to warping. Under no circumstances should plastic molds be place in a standard dishwasher. If you follow these guidelines, you will end up with molds that last for a long time that produce beautiful, marketable candles.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Candle Making Molds: Why Care And Maintenance Are Critical
With the proper care, candle making molds can provide an endless supply of beautiful candles and last practically forever. As with everything though, care must be taken to insure that they last. When it comes to candle making molds and maintenance, there are several things to keep in mind, and it begins with the purchase.
Most candle making molds are made of one or two materials, plastic and metal. The industry standard is metal because stainless steel accepts changes in temperature without warping over time. This is not to say that all plastic molds are bad, only that extra precaution must be taken. If you choose to buy plastic, look for the sturdiest plastic available. You could mold candles in an ice tray, but the flimsiness of the plastic would pose a problem after several melts. Stainless steel holds up better over time, but they have some extra considerations also.
The most important part of caring for candle making molds is the same thing that you would do when caring for your dishes. It begins with cleanliness. It is imperative that you wash your molds immediately after each use. This prevents excess wax from setting inside the mold, rendering it almost impossible to clean later. It is best to hand wash your molds also. Dishwashers create an enclosed space that has intense heat and moisture that can cause molds, especially plastic to become warped or misshapen. When it comes to stainless, you should wash and dry immediately. While these candle making molds will not rust, water can collect in some of the bends and cracks in the metal, potentially creating problems with candles later.
The second most important part of maintaining candle making molds is storage. If they are plastic, it is crucial that they are stored clean and dry, in a cool place. Never keep them near the stove. Plastic will warp over time anyway; the constant temperature changes will make them lose shape prematurely. This can mean the difference between you being able to make many popular candles consistently or having to do short runs of one particular variety.
When storing metal candle making molds, the critical thing to remember is that they be dry and should be separated by enough space so that they won’t be pushed into each other. If you value your stainless steel, they should never be “nested” inside one another. The risk of bending the mold becomes much greater this way, and can lead to even subtle bends that will be emphasized when the next batch of candles is formed. It may even be wise to pad them with towels as if they are glass. The big manufacturers have closets, and in some, entire rooms devoted to their candle making molds. Yours are likely not as expensive or used in the same manner, but if you have a garage or spot in the basement, these are both great places to consider storage. When treated properly, candle making molds can last for years, and that can only spell success for your work.
Most candle making molds are made of one or two materials, plastic and metal. The industry standard is metal because stainless steel accepts changes in temperature without warping over time. This is not to say that all plastic molds are bad, only that extra precaution must be taken. If you choose to buy plastic, look for the sturdiest plastic available. You could mold candles in an ice tray, but the flimsiness of the plastic would pose a problem after several melts. Stainless steel holds up better over time, but they have some extra considerations also.
The most important part of caring for candle making molds is the same thing that you would do when caring for your dishes. It begins with cleanliness. It is imperative that you wash your molds immediately after each use. This prevents excess wax from setting inside the mold, rendering it almost impossible to clean later. It is best to hand wash your molds also. Dishwashers create an enclosed space that has intense heat and moisture that can cause molds, especially plastic to become warped or misshapen. When it comes to stainless, you should wash and dry immediately. While these candle making molds will not rust, water can collect in some of the bends and cracks in the metal, potentially creating problems with candles later.
The second most important part of maintaining candle making molds is storage. If they are plastic, it is crucial that they are stored clean and dry, in a cool place. Never keep them near the stove. Plastic will warp over time anyway; the constant temperature changes will make them lose shape prematurely. This can mean the difference between you being able to make many popular candles consistently or having to do short runs of one particular variety.
When storing metal candle making molds, the critical thing to remember is that they be dry and should be separated by enough space so that they won’t be pushed into each other. If you value your stainless steel, they should never be “nested” inside one another. The risk of bending the mold becomes much greater this way, and can lead to even subtle bends that will be emphasized when the next batch of candles is formed. It may even be wise to pad them with towels as if they are glass. The big manufacturers have closets, and in some, entire rooms devoted to their candle making molds. Yours are likely not as expensive or used in the same manner, but if you have a garage or spot in the basement, these are both great places to consider storage. When treated properly, candle making molds can last for years, and that can only spell success for your work.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Candle Making Molds: The Wonders Of Silicone
The arrival of silicone on the crafting scene has done wonders for the industry. It has made life much easier across the board, from the candle maker to the candy maker. One of silicone's best qualities is that it is a non-stick surface. This is great for candle makers because the candles will easily slide out of the molds. No need to worry about a lot of prep work on the molds you are going to use and no more having to coat them with any vegetable oil products.
Another one of silicone's great qualities is that it can handle extreme temperatures without getting too hot to handle. Be sure to place your candle making molds on a stable surface. Cooking sheets work well because they have a raised edge that helps keep the molds from slipping off.
I recommend cutting your wicks three or four inches higher than the molds you are using. This will help by giving you a longer starting point. This tip applies to any type of candle making molds.
If you are going to be making your own candles then a double boiler is a must have. It works great for melting wax because the wax never directly touches the heat source. This prevents the wax from burning as well as eliminating the chance of the wax igniting and catching fire. I recommend using a double boiler designated specifically for your candle making. This will prevent any possible cross contamination between food products and wax.
Finally, don't get stuck in a rut. Let your creative juices flow. Get out of the candle making stores once in a while and use your imagination. Try finding some different molds to work with, something different and unique. How about cooking molds like cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, etc. Have fun with it. Remember, if you don't like it you can always melt it down and start again.
Another one of silicone's great qualities is that it can handle extreme temperatures without getting too hot to handle. Be sure to place your candle making molds on a stable surface. Cooking sheets work well because they have a raised edge that helps keep the molds from slipping off.
I recommend cutting your wicks three or four inches higher than the molds you are using. This will help by giving you a longer starting point. This tip applies to any type of candle making molds.
If you are going to be making your own candles then a double boiler is a must have. It works great for melting wax because the wax never directly touches the heat source. This prevents the wax from burning as well as eliminating the chance of the wax igniting and catching fire. I recommend using a double boiler designated specifically for your candle making. This will prevent any possible cross contamination between food products and wax.
Finally, don't get stuck in a rut. Let your creative juices flow. Get out of the candle making stores once in a while and use your imagination. Try finding some different molds to work with, something different and unique. How about cooking molds like cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, etc. Have fun with it. Remember, if you don't like it you can always melt it down and start again.
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