How to Make Floating Candles
Floating candles are a fun alternative to traditional table candles. Bobbing along in a bowl of water they seem to defy the notion that water conquers fire.
Floating candles can be made with any type of wax, but beeswax works especially well for floating candles, due to its natural buoyancy. The trick to making candles float is to use the appropriate mold. A floating candle needs to be made in a mold that is wider at the top than it is at the bottom, top being the side where the wick sticks out of. This shape differentiation is what allows the candle to float, protecting the wick from being extinguished by the water. Generally floating candles work best in molds 1 1/2 inches or less in depth, but you can always experiment with deeper molds.
Heat your chosen wax in a double boiler until it reaches pouring temperature. Once it reaches pouring temperature, add in your chosen scent and color. Then let the wax cool a bit before pouring. (Most floating candle molds are plastic, so you’ll melt the mold if you pour the wax while it’s too hot.)
Once you’ve given the wax ample time to cool, pour a small amount into your floating candle mold. Then cut a small piece of wick and stick in the very center of the candle, propping the wick upright until the wax hardens around it. Because floating candles are smaller than most candles, you don’t have to wind any excess wick around a pencil, the wick will usually free-stand on its own as long as it’s slightly supported by something.
Once the wax is hardened around the wick, reheat your wax to pouring temperature, and then once again let it cool for a few moments before pouring to avoid melting the mold. Fill the mold all the way to the top with the wax, then let it cool. Because floating candle molds are shallow, there won’t be any need to do a second pouring.
Once the wax had completely cooled, pop your candles out of the mold and trim the wicks. Then drop them in a bowl of water, light, and enjoy.
Copyright © Amber Reifsteck ~ The Woodland Elf
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