Haws - Candle Making for Beginners: Step by Step Guide to Making Your Own Candles at Home

The first candles looked different from the ones we use today. The old candles were torches, made from reeds core and soaked in animal fats. The fat kept the light on and slowed the burning of the reeds core. They were called rushlights and not candles.

It was only in 3000 B.C. that candles took some shape and form. The ancient Egyptians were the first to be documented to create the candles that we know. They were the first to make wicked candles. The Egyptians created wicked candles by repeatedly dipping the tiny rolled papyrus in melted beeswax or tallow (animal fat). They discovered that the wick takes a certain form when the beeswax or tallow hardened. The new type of candle can stand and lasts longer.

The Egyptians used the candles to light their houses or light their way when they travel. But, the old candles were not hard. They melt when exposed to the heat of the sun. Thus, the ancient candles could only be used on colder nights.

In 300 B.C., the Chinese allegedly became the first to produce molded candles. They rolled the papers into tubes. Then they poured waxes from insects and/or from seeds. They also used thinly rolled papers as their wicks. It was discovered then that thicker molded candles may last longer than thinly molded ones.

The Japanese followed the molded candles by the Chinese. But, instead of using wax made by insects and seeds, they used oils extracted from tree nuts. Their process was more tedious, but their molded candles are said to be harder than the Chineses molded candles. The Indians also developed their own molded wax candles. They used wax from the cinnamon fruit.

The most common wax used, since the discovery of wicked candles was tallow. Tallow came from animal fat and can be easily and affordably produced. But, the candles made from this wax emit foul odor and dark smokes.

In the middle ages, Europeans discovered that beeswax was a better ingredient than tallow. It has a cleaner smoke and sweet scent. It became more popular. But, beeswax candles were expensive. Only the nobles and the rich people can afford to buy them. So, beeswax candles were only used in churches and during special occasions.

Candles found their way to church

The Americans also contributed in candle making. In the 18 th century, they were said to have introduced the first scented candle, the bayberry wax candle. The bayberry produced a cleaner smoke and light like the beeswax, but it had a more pleasant scent. However, the process of extracting the wax from the bayberry was long and difficult. Bayberry candles took longer to make and hence, people still resorted to using beeswax or tallow candles.

In the same century, the whale industry boomed. People discovered that the wax made from whale sperm, the sphermaceti was a good wax to use for candles. The wax produces a clean flame and neutral scent. Most of all, it created stronger candles that could stand more heat. It did not melt when exposed to summer heat. It was slightly more affordable than beeswax, too.

But, in the 19 th century, the sphermaceti wax candles were overshadowed by stearic wax candles. The two candles have the same characteristics, but stearic wax was easier and more environment-friendly, affordable and can be massively produced.

The 19 th century marked the boom of the candle making industry. It was the year when Joseph Morgan invented a candle making machine. His machine produced more molded candles. With more candles available in the market, the price of the candles dropped and they became more affordable.

Pilgrims buying candles 18811883

In 1850, paraffin wax was discovered. It was more affordable than stearic wax and can be easily removed from molds. However, paraffin wax was softer and melts faster. So, candle makers still needed to add stearic wax to strengthen the candles.

Prills of paraffin wax

The boom of the candle making industry was short. When Thomas Edison discovered the light bulb in the late 19 th century, the candle industry started to melt down. The demand for candles dropped and they were only used for emergency and special occasions.

Candles redeemed its popularity again in the late 20 th century. In the 1980s, it became popular as a decoration. It was marketed in different designs, sizes, colors, shapes and scents. It was used to improve the ambiance in homes, offices and restaurants.

Different waxes were also discovered in the same decade. The new waxes are more affordable and safer. It was easier to handle, mold and design. This allowed creativity to be incorporated in candle makings. It opened the surge of artistic and beautiful affordable candles.

In the early 21 st century, different uses of candles were also discovered. Herbs and other essential oils were added to the candle, so they can be used as scented candles for aromatherapy, wellness and romantic purposes.

Today, handmade candles are more popular and are becoming a good home business for homemakers.

Colored candles