Methods of candle making
Cast and molded – These candles are made by pouring wax into a pre-formed mold or shape. Once the wax has cooled the candle is removed form the mold.
Dipped – These candles are made by repeatedly dipping a piece of wick into a container of melted wax. The results are called tapers because this is the natural shape that occurs as a result of dipping.
Drawn – This is an old method made new by modern technology. It involves pulling long lengths of wick (thousands of yards) through melted wax. This method works well for making small diameter candles such as birthday candles, or long waxed wicks used to light multiple candles called wax matches. In earlier times, some lamps were designed to hold wound lengths of waxed wick, which were unwound as they burned down. This method allowed a long burning candle without a thick wax product.
Extruded – This is a machine method that pushes wax out through a shaped template, much like cookies with a cookie gun. Once they’re extruded, these very long candles are then sliced into their proper lengths. This method requires accurate heating and cooling of the wax in order to ensure that the intended shape holds as the wax comes through the die.
Poured – This term refers to an old fashioned method of pouring wax repeatedly over a wick to build it up to candle size.
Pressed – This is a newer method of making commercial candles in which wax is atomized onto ma cooling drum, forming wax beads or granules. These beads are then compressed into molds, where they bind to form a candle. The commercial advantage of pressed candles is that they can be removed from molds much more quickly then molten poured molded candles.
Rolled – These candles are made by rolling sheets of wax around a wick. Tapers, pillars, and novelty candles can be made with this method.
