Small-batch candle notebook
Make a well-recorded candle
A successful candle is a tested combination of wax, wick, vessel and fragrance. Begin with a modest
batch and a written formula, then change one thing at a time. Careful weighing makes a recipe repeatable, while a
complete burn record tells you more than the appearance of the first pour.
Put an idea into practice →
Choose materials as a set
Container waxes and pillar waxes are made for different jobs, so begin with the intended candle style. Use a
vessel sold for candle making and check the wax supplier's guidance before adding colour or fragrance. Keep
product names and batch details in a notebook, including the container's internal dimensions. Two jars with
similar outward shapes may offer quite different burning conditions. A small, clearly labelled test batch is easier
to understand than a large collection made with several unfamiliar materials at once, especially when you are still
learning how they behave.
Understand the fragrance percentage
A fragrance load is often expressed as a percentage of wax mass, not of the finished mixture. The calculator uses
that convention: it divides your chosen total between wax and fragrance while preserving the requested relationship.
At six percent, six parts of fragrance accompany one hundred parts of wax. The arithmetic does not decide whether
that amount suits a particular product. Use fragrance intended for candles and remain within the relevant
suppliers' limits. Record masses as you weigh them, rather than trying to reconstruct the recipe after
everything has been combined.
Pour with a repeatable routine
Arrange a stable work area and use equipment dedicated to the craft. Follow the wax maker's melting and
pouring instructions, monitoring temperature with a suitable thermometer and keeping the heating process attended.
Centre and support the wick before pouring so it cannot drift unnoticed while the wax sets. Note the room conditions
and the times at which you mix and pour. Surface appearance can vary with cooling conditions, but chasing a smooth
top should not replace testing the complete candle. Let each sample settle for the period recommended for its
materials.
Let the burn test lead
Wick size charts provide candidates for testing, not a guaranteed final choice. Wax, fragrance, vessel diameter
and wick construction all influence the result. Follow a recognised supplier's burn-test procedure on a clear,
heat-resistant surface, keeping each test attended. Record flame behaviour, visible soot, melt-pool development and
the vessel's condition throughout the candle's usable life. A pleasing first hour is only part of the
story. Label trials clearly and compare one changed variable at a time so an improvement can be traced back to a
specific decision.