Supplies for making taper candles:
Paraffin wax (preferred)
Thermometer to 140f (60c) - 160f (71c) range - a laboratory clip type works well.
Wick material (smaller diameter)
Dye (if desired)
Scents (if desired)
Dipping can (must be deeper than desired length of candle - small enough diameter for limited wax usage)
Water bath (should be deep enough to hold water at a level just below the mouth of dipping can)
Heat source
Hanging rack (can be made by cutting a cardboard box)
Sticks or dowels (skewers or chopsticks will work)
The production of hand-dipped candles is a little more time consuming and labor intensive than producing some of the other types. This like any other process will take some practice and learning as you go. You may want to take a few notes of information in your first few times that you make the candles. Notes on the amount of wax used, drying and dipping times, etc. can be useful in the future.
Place your dipping can onto some device in the water bath to hold it out of direct contact with the hear source and place the wax (cut or broken into small chunks) into the dipping can. The smaller the chunks, the faster the wax melts.
Cut your wick material to lengths 5-6 inches longer than the desired taper candle length. Tie these to the sticks for dipping.
Once the wax is melted, add your wax dye and scents as desired. Be sure to mix both well.
Remove the dipping can from the water bath and place it low enough to make the dipping action comfortable and easy to lower and lift straight down and up. You are now ready to start dipping.
On the initial dip, raise and lower several time so that the wick wets out completely. After several dips, you will see the wax start to build up on the wick.
Dip each wick separately and hang on rack to cool after each dip. If you get in a hurry and dip to soon, the was will start coming back off of the surface.
This dipping can take a while so be patient and do not get in a hurry. Once you have the desired size and the candle has hardened, cut the candle from the dipping stick and trim the wick to approximately 1/2 inch. Trim off the drip wax from the from the bottom of the candle.
Your taper candles are not finished.
