Getting Started
How to Make Candles: Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to pour your first candle safely: material list, double boiler melting, temperature ranges, cure time and common mistakes.
ReadGuide
Candle Making Guide
A good candle is the result of the right wax, the right wick, the right fragrance load and patient cooling working together. The guides link internally to the soy wax, paraffin, fragrance oils, dyes, wicks and molds in Rufus Concept stock. Small test batches, recorded temperatures and a burn test come before series production in the workshop.
- Soya Wax 50 comes in flake form with a melting range of about 51–55°C; it suits container and aromatherapy candles.
- Fragrance oil is weighed in the 6–10% band without exceeding the wax's oil saturation (on average 8% for Soya Wax 50).
- The wick is chosen by the finished diameter, the wax type and the fragrance load, not by the weight of the candle.
- Cure a candle for at least 24 hours before burning, and ideally 48 hours to 1 week for better scent throw.
Comparison
Soy Wax or Paraffin?
Container soy, mold paraffin, stearic acid and blends: project-based choice with Rufus Concept raw materials.
ReadWick
How to Choose a Candle Wick?
Choose the wick by the finished diameter, wax type and fragrance load, not by candle weight; lock it in with a burn test.
ReadFragrance
When and How Much Candle Fragrance Oil to Add?
Oil-based candle fragrance is weighed; the base's oil saturation is not exceeded. It should not evaporate when hot or fail to disperse when cold.
ReadDye
How to Use Candle Dye?
Candle dye is not a surface paint; it is melted with the wax. Start small, check the tone on a cooled sample, and do not overload the pigment.
ReadMold / Container
Container Candle or Molded Candle?
Choose the candle type first; the wax, wick and equipment follow. Container soy and mold paraffin are not interchangeable.
ReadTroubleshooting
Candle Troubleshooting: Sinkholes, Soot, Wet Spots
Most defects come from temperature, cooling, wick or fragrance load. Do not change the whole recipe at once.
ReadCalculation
How Many Candles from 1 kg of Soy Wax?
Yield depends on the net fill of the container. With 1 kg of Soya Wax 50, roughly 5–6 candles in 200 ml containers and around 10 in 100 ml.
ReadTemperature
At what temperature does soy wax melt and get poured?
Rufus Soya Wax 50 melts at about 51–55°C. Excess heat spoils scent and surface; a thermometer and a double boiler are essential.
ReadWick
How to choose a candle wick size?
Wick size follows the container's inner diameter. Around size 12 is common for narrow containers and around size 16 for 6–8 cm diameters; the final result is the burn test.
ReadRaw Material
What is soy wax?
Soy wax is a vegetable candle base derived from soybean oil. Rufus Soya Wax 50 is in flake form; it is chosen for container candles for clean burning and scent retention.
ReadFragrance
At what temperature is candle fragrance added?
There is no single 65–70°C rule for every wax. Soya Wax 50 melts at 51–55°C; take it off the heat after an even melt and add the fragrance. Paraffin is generally hotter.
ReadGel
How to make gel candles?
Gel candles need a glass container; they do not mix with a soy/paraffin recipe. Melt slowly, warm the container, reduce bubbles, and do not exceed the temperature in the product note.
ReadAdditive
What is stearic acid used for?
Stearic acid (stearin) is added to paraffin molds and pillar candles for hardness and an opaque look. It is not a required part of a Soya Wax 50 container recipe.
ReadBlend
Can soy wax and paraffin be mixed?
Mixing is possible; the result is neither fully soy nor fully paraffin. Temperature and wick change. If a ready soy-paraffin base exists, use that SKU's instructions.
ReadList
What are the candle making supplies?
List by a single project: container soy or mold paraffin. Wick, fragrance, dye, mold/container, scale and double boiler can be completed from the Rufus Concept catalog.
ReadWooden Wick
How to use a wooden candle wick?
A wooden wick is not chosen by cotton wick size; millimeter/model and container diameter are what matter. Center it upright with a holder, and because soy is oily, a burn test is essential.
ReadRaw Material
What is paraffin?
Paraffin is a mineral candle base from petroleum refining. It is economical for firm molds and pillars; it is not melted at the same temperature as a Soya Wax 50 container recipe.
ReadProblem
Why does a candle tunnel?
Tunneling is when the melt pool does not reach the edge of the container. Most often the wick is thin, the first burn was short or the wick is long. Burn until the pool reaches the edge, and trim the wick to ~5 mm.
ReadProblem
What are wet spots in candles?
Wet spots are matte or glossy patches where the wax pulls away from the glass; the candle does not leak. Dirty glass, a high pouring temperature, drafts and fast cooling are common causes.
ReadMold
How to remove a candle from a silicone mold?
Do not pull the candle; flex the mold. A hardened outer surface is not enough. Paraffin stays firm in mold work; Soya Wax 50 is a container recipe and can struggle in a detailed mold.
ReadScent
How to make scented candles?
A scented candle is the right fragrance load on the right base. Soya Wax 50 has an oil saturation of ~8%; weigh the fragrance after taking the 51–55°C melt off the heat. Without a cure, the scent stays weak.
ReadProblem
Why does a candle soot?
Soot is most often the wick drawing too much fuel: a long tip, a thick size, a draft, or fragrance/dye beyond oil saturation. Trim the wick to ~5 mm, cut the draft and weigh the load.
ReadWick
Why do candle wicks mushroom?
A mushroom is carbon that builds up on the wick tip. A very firm wick, an untrimmed tip and an excessive load are common causes. Trim ~5 mm every burn; if it persists, lower the size.
ReadMold
How to make bubble candles?
A bubble candle is a silicone sphere mold. For detail, paraffin (with stearin if needed) stays firm; Soya Wax 50 is container-focused. Weigh the grams, cool fully, flex the mold.
ReadProblem
What is soy wax frosting?
Frosting is matte white crystals on the soy surface or at the glass edge. It is not a leak. Sudden cooling and dark dye make it more visible. It is common in Soya Wax 50 container soy and does not spoil burning.
ReadProblem
Why does a candle sink?
A dip in the middle with a high edge: air remains as the wax shrinks. Cool slowly without drafts; a second pour with the same recipe fills it. A fridge causes cracks.
ReadProblem
Why does a candle sweat?
Oil droplets on the surface are most often the oil saturation being exceeded. In Soya Wax 50 the ceiling averages 8%. A warm store and vanillin scents increase sweating; wiping it off does not fix the recipe.
ReadProblem
Why does a candle crack?
A crack is stress: a fridge, air conditioning, a damp mold, or a very hot pour + cold glass. Let Soya Wax 50 rest at room temperature, melted in the 51–55°C band.
ReadRaw Material
What is palm wax?
Palm wax is a hard vegetable base made from palm oil; it stays firm in pillar and mold detail. Rufus Soya Wax 50 is a soft container soy (melting ~51–55°C). Do not copy the same recipe; read the SKU note.
ReadRaw Material
What is beeswax?
Beeswax is the wax of the honeycomb; it has its own color and honey aroma and is dense. Soya Wax 50 is an odorless container soy. The beeswax category in the catalog is for care and candle projects; do not copy the wick from a soy size.
ReadGetting Started
How to make container candles?
A container candle is poured into glass/a jar and is not unmolded. Rufus Soya Wax 50 is for this job. Fix the wick to the base, use a double boiler, add the fragrance after the heat, and cure.
ReadMold
How to make aroma tablets (wax melts)?
An aroma tablet (wax melt) is wickless scented wax; it melts in a warmer. Silicone tablet mold, scale, oil-based fragrance. Soya Wax 50 is a container soy; it also works in a small mold. No wick, do not burn.
ReadScent
What is candle fragrance oil?
Candle fragrance oil is the oil-based fragrance oil that gives wax its scent. Essential oils do not hold up in every recipe. In Soya Wax 50 the ceiling averages 8%; in practice 6–10% is weighed and added after the heat.
ReadMold
What is a silicone candle mold?
A silicone candle mold is a flexible mold; once the candle cools, the mold is peeled off. For detail, paraffin (with stearin if needed) stays firm. Soya Wax 50 is container-focused; it can be squashed in thin silicone.
ReadGetting Started
What does a candle making kit include?
A ready kit gathers the first pour in one box: wax, wick, fragrance, and often a container or mold. The SKU contents depend on the box. For container kits Soya Wax 50 makes sense; for a mold kit look for paraffin.
ReadMold
How to make pillar candles?
A pillar candle comes out of the mold and stands on its own. Paraffin gives firmness; Soya Wax 50 is a soft container soy. Stearin can help with hardening. Cool completely and do not force the mold.
ReadGetting Started
How to make tealight candles?
A tealight is a small aluminum or polycarbonate cup. A thin wick, little wax. Soya Wax 50 is a container soy and can be poured into a small cup. Dozens of tealights come from 1 kg; write down the grams.
ReadWick
What is a candle wick?
The wick is the fuel line that draws wax up to the flame. The size depends on the container's inner diameter, not on candle weight. Soya Wax 50 is oily and may need a firmer wick, but thick is not always right. Trim ~5 mm.
ReadDye
What is candle dye?
Candle dye is a pigment or dye that dissolves in wax. At Rufus the granule is oil-based; start at about 1%. Food and water-based dyes leak and spoil the flame. In Soya Wax 50, a dark tone makes frosting more visible.
ReadGetting Started
How to melt candle wax in a double boiler?
A double boiler heats wax indirectly in a water bath. A direct flame burns part of it and leaves part unmelted. Soya Wax 50 becomes homogeneous at about 51–55°C. A thermometer is essential.
ReadTroubleshooting
Why does a candle have a weak scent?
A weak scent is most often too little fragrance, a load beyond the oil saturation, a short cure or a thin wick. In Soya Wax 50, 6–10% with a ceiling averaging 8%; wait 48 hours to 1 week.
ReadWick
What is a candle wick holder?
A wick holder keeps the wick in the middle of the container during the pour. It can be a wooden stick, a metal clip or a 3D holder. A shifted wick causes tunneling and soot.
ReadWick
How to make double wick candles?
As the diameter grows, a single thick wick soots. Two thin-to-medium sizes, equal spacing and a shared melt pool burn cleaner. Soya Wax 50 container; the burn test settles it.
ReadTroubleshooting
Why does a candle go out?
A candle going out is most often a thin wick, a wet/untrimmed tip, tunneling or a draft. Trim the wick ~5 mm dry; the pool should reach the edge. Soya Wax 50 container, paraffin mold.
ReadSoy Wax
How to use soy wax?
Soya Wax 50 is flakes for containers and aromatherapy. Melt in a double boiler at ~51–55°C, add the fragrance after the heat at 6–10%, wait 24 hours. Paraffin for molds/pillars.
ReadParaffin
How to make paraffin candles?
Paraffin is firm for molds and pillars. It holds detail in silicone. Soya Wax 50 is a container soy (~51–55°C); with paraffin, follow the SKU working temperature, no direct flame.
ReadBurning
How to burn a candle? The first burn
The first burn is the candle's memory. Trim the wick to ~5 mm and burn until the melt pool reaches the edge. A short burn leaves tunneling. Container soy Soya Wax 50 and mold paraffin follow the same rule.
ReadWick
How to attach a candle wick?
The wick is stuck to the base and held taut from above by a holder. A shifted tip causes tunneling and soot. For double wicks, use equal spacing. Pour Soya Wax 50 or paraffin afterwards.
ReadFragrance
How to use candle fragrance oil?
Oil-based candle fragrance is weighed in grams. In Soya Wax 50 it is 6–10%, with a ceiling of about 8% on average. Stir it in after taking the pot off the heat; cure 48 hours–1 week. No food flavoring.
ReadParaffin
How many candles from 1 kg of paraffin?
Paraffin density varies by SKU. At a net fill of 200 ml, 1 kg gives roughly 4–6 candles. The volume of sheets or granules is misleading; weigh in grams. Container candles in Soya Wax 50 are calculated separately.
ReadWick
Wooden wick or cotton wick?
Cotton thread is quiet and its size is clear by diameter. Wood wants a wider flame and gives crackle; soaking and a clip are a must. Container Soya Wax 50 carries both; a burn test decides.
ReadTroubleshooting
Why is my candle flame weak?
A weak flame is most often a short or thin wick, too much dye or fragrance beyond oil saturation. Leave the wick ~5 mm and dry. Soya Wax 50 ceiling ~8%; dye ~1%.
ReadRecipe
How to make a vegan candle?
A vegan candle needs a plant-based wax: Soya Wax 50, a cotton or wooden wick, oil-based fragrance. No paraffin and no beeswax. Melting ~51–55°C, oil saturation ~8%, fragrance 6–10%.
ReadRaw Material
How to use palm wax?
Palm wax is not Soya Wax 50. It is chosen for a firmer hold in molds. The working temperature is in the SKU note; do not copy the 51–55°C soy band. Fragrance should not exceed the product ceiling.
ReadWick
Why does a wooden wick crackle?
The crackle of a wooden wick comes from moisture and the flame burning the wood. Soak it in wax first, leave the tip dry and ~5 mm. A very oily tip stays silent; wet wood goes out. Soya Wax 50 container ~51–55°C.
ReadAdditive
How much stearic acid should be added?
The percentage of stearic acid depends on the SKU note and a mold test. It is weighed and added to paraffin; it is not part of the Soya Wax 50 container recipe. Do not copy the soy 51–55°C band to stearin.
ReadRaw Material
How to use beeswax?
Beeswax is the wax of the honeycomb. Use a double boiler and the SKU working temperature; the 51–55°C band of Soya Wax 50 is not copied. It has its own scent, is not vegan, and the wick is tested separately.
ReadContainer
How to choose a glass candle container?
A container candle needs heat-resistant glass. The wick size follows the inner diameter; in a wide container one thin thread tunnels. Soya Wax 50 ~51–55°C, fragrance 6–10%. No thin tea glasses and no cracked glass.
ReadBurning
How to put out a candle?
Blowing hard leads to soot and smoking. Trim the wick with a wick trimmer or snuffer; with a lidded glass, close the lid. Once out, leave a dry tip of ~5 mm. Soya Wax 50 container; a new pour should wait 24 hours.
ReadTroubleshooting
Why is my candle smoking?
Smoking is the flame not burning completely: a long wick, a draft or hard blowing. Soot is black carbon; smoke can be gray-white. Trim the wick dry to ~5 mm. Soya Wax 50 fragrance ceiling ~8%.
ReadTroubleshooting
Why does my candle drip?
A dripping candle is usually a soft base in a candlestick, too much heat or a draft. A container Soya Wax 50 stays in the glass; a dripping pillar is a paraffin + stearic matter. Wick ~5 mm. Do not copy the soy 51–55°C band to paraffin.
ReadYield
How many tealights from 1 kg?
Tealight yield depends on the net grams of the cup. Dozens of small cups come from 1 kg. Do not copy the 200 ml Soya Wax 50 formula (~5–6 candles) to tealights. Weigh, and fill without overflowing. Melting ~51–55°C, fragrance 6–10%.
ReadWick
How to use a wick holder?
A wick holder keeps the wick upright and centered during the pour. Stick the base, seat the holder on the rim, pour Soya Wax 50 at ~51–55°C, and trim to ~5 mm once it cools. The what-is guide is separate.
ReadWick
How to choose a tealight wick?
A tealight is a narrow cup; it wants a thin cotton or a ready-made tealight wick. A heavy size overflows and smokes. The wick follows the diameter, not the kilo. Soya Wax 50 ~51–55°C, tip ~5 mm.
ReadAccessory
How to choose a candle match?
A match is a lighter. In a deep glass, a long stick keeps the hand away from the wax. Letting the pool reach the edge on the first burn is a separate protocol; a match does not shorten it. Do not drop the stick onto the Soya Wax 50 surface.
ReadProblem
Why does a pillar candle bend?
Bending is the body slipping. Demolding early or soft Soya Wax 50 sags in a candlestick. Dripping is drops, a separate guide. Paraffin stays firm; cool it fully.
ReadWick
How to use patterned wicks?
A patterned wick is a colored or patterned cotton thread. The burn size follows the diameter; the pattern adds no heaviness. Wood crackles; this page is for thread. Soya Wax 50 container, tip ~5 mm.
ReadWick
How many mm should a wooden wick be?
A wooden wick is millimeters and a model; the 12/16 thread numbers are not copied. A thin mm for a narrow container, thick or double for a wide one. The use and crackle guides are separate. Soya Wax 50 container, tip ~5 mm.
ReadWick
How long should a candle wick be?
The length for pouring is the container depth plus an allowance at the rim. Trimming a ~5 mm tip at each burn is a separate job; do not confuse the two. Size follows the diameter, length follows the depth. Soya Wax 50 container.
ReadWorkshop
Why do you need a candle thermometer?
Soya Wax 50 melts at ~51–55°C; judging by eye, a flame or too much heat drives off the fragrance. Read the thermometer in the double boiler. Paraffin SKU temperature is separate; the soy band is not copied. A scale holds the fragrance grams.
ReadWick
How to measure double wick spacing?
Spacing is the base distance between the two threads. The pouring recipe is in a separate guide. Keep them equal to the edge and to each other; two medium sizes instead of one heavy thread. Soya Wax 50 container, tip ~5 mm.
ReadRaw Material
How to store soy wax?
Storage is not a pouring recipe. Keep Soya Wax 50 flakes cool, sealed and out of the sun. A hot warehouse causes sweating. Usage (51–55°C, fragrance 6–10%) is in a separate guide.
ReadProblem
Why does my candle heat the glass?
Excess glass heat is a heavy or shifted wick. Soot is black smoke, a separate guide. Choosing glass is separate. Soya Wax 50 container, tip ~5 mm, no draft.
ReadPouring
How to do a second pour?
A second pour fills the sink hole that forms on cooling, with the same recipe. Why it sank is in a separate guide. Soya Wax 50 ~51–55°C; do not add fragrance or exceed the first load. Do not bury the wick; tip ~5 mm.
ReadProblem
Why do bubbles form in a candle?
A bubble is an air hole in the wax. A wet spot is a glossy island on the glass; do not confuse them. Pour slowly, tap lightly. Soya Wax 50 ~51–55°C. A sink hole is a second pour.
ReadShopping
Why does the price of soy wax change?
The price is not a memorized TL figure. Soya Wax 50 sits on the SKU by weight, lot and quantity. This page explains why the band changes; no numbers are written. Container ~51–55°C and fragrance 6–10% are separate.
ReadFAQs
Where should I start with candle making?
Pick a single project: Soya Wax 50 for a glass container candle, paraffin for molds and pillars. Pour a small test batch with a wick, fragrance oil, a scale and a double boiler. The step-by-step explanation is in the How to Make Candles guide.
At what temperature does soy wax melt?
Rufus Soya Wax 50 melts at about 51–55°C. Go by the range on the product page, and melt it in a double boiler rather than over a direct flame.
How many candles can I make from 1 kg of soy wax?
It depends on the net fill of the container. With about 200 ml containers, 1 kg gives 5–6 candles; with 100 ml it gives around 10. Granule or flake wax loses volume once poured, so use a scale.
How do I choose a candle wick size?
Wick size depends on the inner diameter of the container: thinner wicks for narrow containers (e.g. around size 12), and around size 16 is common for 6–8 cm diameters. The final choice is made with a burn test.
What is soy wax?
A hydrogenated vegetable candle base made from soybean oil. Rufus Soya Wax 50 comes in flake form and melts at about 51–55°C; it is stocked for container and aromatherapy candles.
Why does a candle tunnel?
The wick is too thin or the first burn was too short. Trim the wick to about 5 mm and burn the candle until the melt pool reaches the edge.
Why does a candle soot?
A long wick, a thick wick size, a draft, or fragrance beyond the wax's oil saturation. Trim the wick to ~5 mm; the soot guide has a table.
Why does a candle sink?
Sudden cooling and an air pocket. Cool it slowly and, if needed, do a second pour. It is covered in the sinkhole guide.