subject: Twelve Tips for Success – Using Candle Making Molds [print this page] Match the mold composition to the wax pouring temperature. The mold needs to be made of a material that will tolerate the hot wax. The consequences of not doing this might be that you would lose some of the details in your mold because it deforms; or some of the mold material may incorporate itself into the candle. At worst, the mold may disintegrate and you will have hot wax spilling onto your work area, and maybe you.
Make sure the mold is sturdy or well supported. You don't want the weight of the wax to deform the mold. At best, your candle will not be what you had expected. At worst, well, have you ever seen a table covered with molten wax? If needed, you can support the mold fully by burying it in a tub of sand.
The mold must be sealed before you pour the wax. A hot wax "fountain" is not ideal.
The mold must be designed so that it will release the finished candle. This will probably be taken care of for a mold that you purchase. But if have made the mold yourself, consider this before you pour in the molten wax. An object with protrusions that point both up and down will not be able to be released in either direction you will need to release the object from the side.
Spray mold release into the mold prior to it being used.
Secure the wick in the mold prior to pouring the molten wax. A candle without a wick is just a lump of wax.
Seal the mold around the opening where the wick is inserted. Again, leaking hot wax is not desirable.
Remember that some "disposable" molds will only be able to be used once. If the mold release process involves destroying the mold, well, it's destroyed, and you won't be able to use it to make more candles.
The mold must be positioned upside down when you fill it. You do this because you want the top of the candle (at the bottom of the mold) to be smooth. The last part of the mold you fill (the bottom of the candle) may have air bubbles or other asperities.
Handle your molds carefully. Scratches in the mold will be transferred to the candle surface.
If you are unsure as to the stability of a mold, then your best bet is not to use it.
If you are filling a mold that is exceptionally large, then take precautions. Put it into a large pan or tray first something that would be able to contain the molten wax if it were to spill.
If your mold does start to leak molten wax, then you must remember to protect yourself first. Do not try to pick up or otherwise move the mold. You risk causing more of the molten wax to spill, and that the molten wax would land on you. Stop pouring the molten wax and move away. Keep children and pets from getting near the area. Let the wax cool and then scrape it up once it is solid.
If you do get burned, the flush the area with cool water. If the burned area is larger than 3 inches (8 cm) across, then get medical attention.
