It comes free of any additive so the odds are great you’ll need to add one or several additives, depending upon the type of candle you’re planning to make.

But let’s start with the beginning: straight paraffin wax is great for the beginner candlemaker and will allow you to familiarise yourself with the different additives, their effect when used in different quantities and also with the ideal pouring temperature in such or such case.

• Paraffin candles generally take 24 hours to cool.
• Soy candles generally take 4 to 5 hours to cool.
• Beeswax candles generally take 6 hours to cool, but if you can wait, cooling them overnight is best.
• If you made your candle with old candles, you should only need to let it stand for a couple of hours.

Remove the wax from the mold and trim the wick to within a quarter inch of the top of the candle. This will help contain the flame, as a longer wick will cause the flame to be too large.