Hand dipped candles

[slowworm]

I thought I'd have a go at making and testing some dipped candles using what I have laying about the place before buying a proper deep container for the wax. A rummage about found an extra deep metal container that had posh instant coffee in. Placed carefully on the wood burner and filled with our own beeswax I was pleased to see it melt all the way to the top.

I made the following candles, most fairly thin taper candles as they are quick to make and I've picked up some nice second hand candle holders. I also made a couple as large as I could to see how they turned out.

The thin ones last about two hours so ideal for the shorter power cuts or for a bit of soft light. They look a bit misshapen but burn well, without any wax dripping down the sides.

 

[Glow_worm]

Looking good! Not sure the exact method you use, there are loads of ways of going about it. I tend to tie a largish steel nut to the end of the wick to weight it and keep it straight. And before they get to big you can roll the candles between a couple of hard surfaces (think scraps of ply rather than best chopping boards) to straighten them. But they work just the same without extra faff!

 

[TeeDee]

Well done ! Top effort.

Did you perfect your learning process to ? Found something you'd do differently next time.

 

[William_Montgomery]

These look excellent. Great job. Likewise, I'd be interested in hearing about/seeing your process.

 

[Mesquite]

Nicely done

 

[slowworm]

Looking good! Not sure the exact method you use, there are loads of ways of going about it.

I just dipped some plain wick into the wax a couple of times and straightened it once mostly set. Then carried on dipping, well a couple of dips then leave for a bit to set, then a couple more.

I had thought about using a weight or a frame, at least for the first few dips until you get something resembling a candle. But for home use I like the simplicity of what I did.

 

[Tony]

very cool, I've not done candles but have often wanted to and have never actually got round to it, this has wet my appetite again!

 

[NotSafeForWork]

Iron bridge gorge museum - they had a living history museum and they had a device like ceiling Pulley Clothes Airer to dip candles.
Well done and fine effort.

 

[Woody girl]

Well done, I make candles with beeswax when I can get it, plus recycled wax from old broken candles or stubs. I've had some very strangely coloured ones in the past! Mostly I use moulds, as I often reuse broken candle wicks. Seems a shame to waste them.
One thing I learned from a lady i know who makes beeswax candles is, if using fresh wicks on dipped candles, is to dip then once, let them semi harden, straighten them as much as possible, let them harden up a bit more, then carry on with the candle making. If the candle is straight from the start, they will stay straight.
Great to see these old skills coming back in everyday homes. Beeswax candles cost a mint! Making your own from your own bees just takes time and effort. Very homestead. I love them.
There is a contraption you can get to dip several at once. No idea where, or what its called, but I've seen them on some yt homestead type vids now and then.

 

[demented dale]

I thought I'd have a go at making and testing some dipped candles using what I have laying about the place before buying a proper deep container for the wax. A rummage about found an extra deep metal container that had posh instant coffee in. Placed carefully on the wood burner and filled with our own beeswax I was pleased to see it melt all the way to the top.

I made the following candles, most fairly thin taper candles as they are quick to make and I've picked up some nice second hand candle holders. I also made a couple as large as I could to see how they turned out.

The thin ones last about two hours so ideal for the shorter power cuts or for a bit of soft light. They look a bit misshapen but burn well, without any wax dripping down the sides.

View attachment 93161View attachment 93162View attachment 93163

I have been making these recently. I make over 60 a day. I just keep melted wax on the burner all the time and keep resetting the molds.. I make 200 from a 5kg bag of wax pellets and it works out at 11p a candle.
It will be even cheaper if I buy wax in bigger amounts as I plan to. It is very satisfying and a good resource to use, sell or barter. Thanks for your efforts and pictures.
ps. I have also made a load of tallow which I plan to turn into candles very soon. DD x

 

[TeeDee]

I have been making these recently. I make over 60 a day. I just keep melted wax on the burner all the time and keep resetting the molds.. I make 200 from a 5kg bag of wax pellets and it works out at 11p a candle.
It will be even cheaper if I buy wax in bigger amounts as I plan to. It is very satisfying and a good resource to use, sell or barter. Thanks for your efforts and pictures.
ps. I have also made a load of tallow which I plan to turn into candles very soon. DD x

View attachment 93166

I bet you feel very enlightened.

 

[Pattree]

Never mind the shape; that’s a beatifully clear flame that you’ve got there.

 

[Tengu]

To me, burning beeswax is a crime.

Too useful in leatherwork.

 

[Chris]

And all those bees going about their days unwaxed.

 

[slowworm]

To me, burning beeswax is a crime.

Too useful in leatherwork.

I have a lot of wax and although I don't believe everything I read about beeswax candles I do find they burn very clean and don't produce any soot.

I don't aim for maximum honey production from our bees so I let them make plenty of new wax each year. I have read it makes them less likely to swarm but wax is just as useful as honey for us so we're all happy.

Never mind the shape; that’s a beatifully clear flame that you’ve got there.

They are more yellow than some flames but by using wick aimed at beeswax I've been very impressed with the light and burning of them. There's probably more wax in each small taper candle than a tea light and as they burn much quicker you're probably getting 3x more light out.

 

[John Fenna]

Nice work!
I have made the odd beeswax candle, dipped, sand cast and cast in old mince-pie foils often just using cotton string for wicks (not ideal but ok if you loosen the twist in the string a bit) and they do give a lovely light!
The only pics I can find are of early rather "rustic" attempts!

 

[demented dale]

Nice work!
I have made the odd beeswax candle, dipped, sand cast and cast in old mince-pie foils often just using cotton string for wicks (not ideal but ok if you loosen the twist in the string a bit) and they do give a lovely light!
The only pics I can find are of early rather "rustic" attempts!View attachment 93168View attachment 93169View attachment 93170

they are decent, light is light. x

 

[Keith_Beef]

I was in a shop last weekend where I saw ester & erik Danish dipped candles that were still on the dipping frames.

There's a photo of one of these frames on the ester & erik web site.

https://www.ester-erik.dk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/EsterogErik_BW_DSC2681-2000x968.jpg

The picture only shows the top of the frame, but the bottom is, as I remember, identical. The wick is wound around lugs on the bottom and top parts of the frame, keeping tension.

 

[Toddy]

There's a couple who do the rounds of the re-enactors markets. John and Margaret, iirc. Lovely people, happy to talk, to explain and show how.
Anyway, they make beeswax candles....you can pay a small sum and dip your own under instruction
It's one of the fun activities of the markets.

They make their ordinary candles in pairs with the string just hanging over a stick. The stick hangs over a heated tub (huge, must hold gallons) of molten beeswax. They just dip and hang, dip and hang, until the candles are the chosen size.

If you're doing a lot, then this system works really well.

Candles for all ages | Artisan & Reenactors Market

Candles For All Ages is a small family business which creates handmade beeswax and tallow candles. We pride ourselves with making candles to whatever dimensions you require using historical methods. Our materials are 100% natural. We also sell natural beeswax soaps, pewter tankards, incence...

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Historical, modern or novelty handmade beeswax or tallow candles. Natural beeswax soap which also features lavender or propolis.

www.candles-for-all-ages.co.uk

 

[Pattree]

Look what is exactly the right size candle mould for a lantern that I’m making!!!!!