Top 10 Candle Crafting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Candle making is a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Whether youre making candles for yourself, as gifts, or even to start a small business, its a craft full of creativity and expression. But like any DIY project, beginners and even experienced makers can run into common problems.
In this guide, well break down the 10 most common candle crafting mistakes and share simple tips to avoid themso you can create clean-burning, great-looking candles every time.
1. Using the Wrong Wax for Your Candle Type
The Mistake:
Not all candle wax is created equal. Choosing the wrong wax for your candle type can lead to poor burning, scent throw, or cracking.
Examples:
- Using paraffin wax in a container candle and getting too much soot
- Trying to use soy wax for a pillar candle without proper hardeners
How to Avoid It:
Understand what each wax is good for:
- Soy Wax: Great for containers, burns clean and slow
- Paraffin Wax: High scent throw, but sootier
- Beeswax: Natural and long-burning
- Coconut Wax: Excellent for soft blends and containers
- Blended Waxes: Often made for specific uses like melts or pillars
Always check your wax packaging or product page for best uses.
2. Skipping the Wax Temperature Check
The Mistake:
Pouring wax too hot or too cold can cause frosting, sinkholes, or wet spots.
How to Avoid It:
Use a thermometer and follow these general guidelines:
- Melt Temperature: Usually between 80C 90C
- Add Fragrance: Around 70C (varies by wax type)
- Pour Temperature: Around 60C (again, varies)
Each wax brand will have slightly different instructions, so always read the label or ask the supplier.
3. Not Using a Proper Wick Size
The Mistake:
Wick too small? Your candle tunnels. Wick too big? It smokes or burns too fast.
How to Avoid It:
- Match your wick size to the diameter of the container and type of wax.
- Use wick size charts provided by wick brands or experiment in small test batches.
Quick Tip: For wide containers, consider using double wicks or wooden wicks for even burn.
4. Overloading with Fragrance Oil
The Mistake:
Adding too much fragrance seems tempting for a stronger scentbut it can lead to poor burning, sweating, or even fire risk.
How to Avoid It:
Stick to the recommended fragrance load:
- Most waxes: 6 to 10 percent fragrance oil by weight
- Always measure with a digital scale, not by drops or spoon
Also, ensure your fragrance oil is added at the right temperature for proper binding.
5. Improper Mixing of Color and Fragrance
The Mistake:
Fragrance sinks, or color looks patchybecause it wasnt mixed well.
How to Avoid It:
Stir gently but thoroughly for at least 2 to 3 minutes after adding fragrance and color. Use metal stirrers or silicone spatulas.
If you're using resin for candle holders or decorations, remember resin also needs correct mixing to avoid bubbles and curing problems. For resin-related safety and tips, you can check out Essential Tips for Working with Epoxy Resin.
6. Pouring in a Cold Container
The Mistake:
Pouring hot wax into a cold glass or tin can cause wet spots, cracks, or uneven surfaces.
How to Avoid It:
- Warm your container slightly with a heat gun or hair dryer before pouring
- Avoid working in very cold rooms or on cold surfaces
7. Not Securing the Wick Properly
The Mistake:
Wick floats, shifts, or ends up crooked, making the candle burn unevenly.
How to Avoid It:
- Use wick stickers or hot glue to secure the wick base to the container
- Center it using wick holders, popsicle sticks, or chopsticks
Make sure the wick is standing straight before the wax sets.
8. Not Allowing Candles to Cure
The Mistake:
Lighting candles too soon leads to poor scent throw and uneven burning.
How to Avoid It:
Let your candles cure for the recommended time:
- Soy wax: 1 to 2 weeks
- Paraffin: 3 to 5 days
- Beeswax and coconut: around 1 week
Curing gives the wax time to bind with the fragrance and harden fully.
9. Using Uncoated or Random Containers
The Mistake:
Using jars not meant for candles can cause breakage or leaks.
How to Avoid It:
Use heat-resistant containers designed for candle making.
Avoid:
- Thin glass jars
- Cracked or chipped containers
- Plastic or paper items
10. Not Testing Your Candles Before Selling or Gifting
The Mistake:
Assuming your candle will work perfectly without testing it.
How to Avoid It:
Always do a burn test:
- Light the candle for 34 hours
- Observe how it burns, if it tunnels, smokes, or produces an even melt pool
- Adjust wick size, wax mix, or fragrance load as needed
Testing saves you time, refunds, and unhappy customers or friends.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are part of every craft journey, but most candle-making issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for. Whether youre a beginner or already making candles to sell, avoiding these top 10 mistakes will make your projects smoother, safer, and more satisfying.
