What Candle Mold is Right for you?

By Marge Snow

If you're just starting out and making your first candles, the different types of molds available can be pretty confusing. You'll find molds in just about every shape and size imaginable, but which is right for you? What's the easiest mold to work with? How do you make novelty candles? Let's take a look at different types of molds so you can pick the one that's right for you.

Rigid Molds are Great for Beginners

The first molds we'll talk about are rigid molds. These are the molds that most people think about when starting out in candle making and are the easiest to work with. Using rigid molds, you'll be able to make candles in all the basic shapes you'll see at the candle store. Shapes like cylinders, balls, boxes, and triangles are possible with rigid molds. They're usually made from plastic or metal. Plastic molds are less expensive, but don't hold up as well. Also, when working with plastic molds, be sure to keep a careful eye on your wax temperature. If the wax gets too hot, your mold will melt. Metal molds are much more durable, but be careful with them as well. If you drop your metal mold it could dent. But if you take care of it, a single metal mold will last longer than many less expensive plastic molds.

Flexible Molds Add an Artistic Flair

If you want to make fancy candles with lots of detail and intricate designs, you'll need to use a flexible mold. These molds are made from rubber or latex and are kind of like a balloon you poor wax into. Unlike rigid molds, they don't stand up on their own. So they're a lot harder to work with and its best to use a mold support. When your wax cools, you turn the mold inside out, rolling the mold up, to get your candle out. Because you have to manipulate these molds so much to remove your candle, these molds tend to wear out fast. So be prepared to replace your favorite molds, and always use a spray mold release to help you retrieve your candle.

What Additives Should I Use?

While we're talking about molds, it would be a good time to introduce a couple of wax additives. The first is stearin. When used with rigid molds it not only hardens the wax, lengthens burning time, and makes the colors stand out more, but it also makes the wax shrink after cooling. So you can remove your candles easier. But if you're using a flexible mold, never use stearin. It will actually cause your mold to rot. Instead use vybar. While not really an additive, you should also use a mold release spray. Apply it to the mold before pouring hot wax to make getting your candle out a lot easier.

Household Items as Molds

You may be looking around your home wondering if there's anything you can use as a candle mold. Well, there're lots of things you can use! Before you poor some hot wax into something you found in your kitchen, be sure it can take the heat. Definitely don't use anything made out of glass because it may shatter. What you want to look for is a hollow container like a coffee can or a milk carton. Make sure the top opening is larger than the bottom. Otherwise you won't be able to remove the candle. Also make sure there aren't any ridges or folds on the container. Wax will get into the ridges and "lock" your candle into the mold.

Making candles is a fun and rewarding hobby. But just like everything else, having the right equipment is half the battle. Choose the right mold for the type of candle you want to make and your experience level, and you'll have a successful and enjoyable experience.